National Grid, has chosen to deploy sees.ai’s drone technology for autonomous aerial inspections across its network in the United Kingdom.

Based in London, sees.ai operates a proprietary system of autonomous drones and software specifically designed to inspect critical infrastructure and provide precise data to their customers.

The company will be carrying out BVLOS flights to regularly inspect high-voltage tower and conductors to help inform maintenance needs. National Grid says they are looking forward to protecting their personnel by removing them from manual inspections around these high-voltage areas.

In a statement, Kathryn Fairhurst, Overhead Line Operations Director at National Grid said, “By handling non-intrusive inspection tasks, this technology enables our highly skilled line workers to focus more efficiently on the complex, hands-on work that requires human expertise, and will form an important part of how we continue to manage our assets and deliver a safe and reliable network.”

This kind of partnership is a prime example of how drones and autonomous systems can propel efficiency of the energy sector.

“This contract validates the maturity of our technology. It shows what’s possible when infrastructure, innovation, and regulation align to support long-term energy goals,” stated John McKenna, CEO at sees.ai. 

Source: Press Release