National Grid has launched a centralised, autonomous aerial inspection capability for electricity infrastructure.
The deployment of sees.ai’s technology, following a four-year innovation programme, enables drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) close to live power infrastructure, piloted from a central control room.
Drones will be used to capture images and data of National Grid’s infrastructure, primarily high-voltage towers and conductors. This data is then used to help to inform National Grid’s maintenance and investment programmes across its transmission network in England and Wales.
UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said the government wants to see more innovations like drone technology becoming viable solutions that benefit people’s lives, and that the Regulatory Innovation Office is working with companies and regulators like the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to launch such operations.
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