Harnessing UAV Technology for Efficient, Safe, and Environmentally Conscious Infrastructure Operation

British company Skyports Drone Services and Norway-based Field recently announced a partnership to provide new services to utility and infrastructure operators, combining Field’s UAV-based infrastructure inspection system with Skyports experience in BVLOS operations across the globe. The new service utilizes Field’s solution, (which includes a UAV, sensor packages, and software) to instantly and securely upload valuable data to the cloud in real-time, reducing the need for difficult and occasionally dangerous in-person operations in the infrastructure space. 

“Field’s complete BVLOS ecosystem has been tested thoroughly, undergoing more than 6500 flight hours under the world’s harshest conditions, from subzero arctic temperatures to extreme desert winds and heat. It’s a robust and complete linear inspection solution. There is no other solution like it on the market,” said Jimmy Bostrøm, Head of Emerging Markets at Field. 

Field’s solution differs from competitors with a multi-sensor approach, meaning that operations that would otherwise be done manually or using a single-sensor UAV over the course of multiple flights can now be completed far more efficiently. With Skyports’ BVLOS flight permissions and long-range flight experience, the company estimates that it can inspect and survey up to 100km of linear infrastructure in a single day.

“This new service offering not only provides utility and infrastructure owners with rapid and detailed insights into their assets but also facilitates critical decision-making, cuts operational costs, enhances safety, and produces significantly lower emissions than existing solutions,” said Alex Brown, Director of Skyports Drone Services. “We look forward to making the Field solution available to rail and utilities customers and continuing to demonstrate the value of BVLOS drone operations.”  

Skyports has announced a wide range of new strategic operations over the previous months, including a drone delivery app in Korea released alongside RigiTech, new mining-focused UAV operations with Carbonix, and drone delivery to offshore oil-drilling rigs in partnership with Equinor. Meanwhile, Field announced a merger with UAV developer PrecisionHawk to enable their innovative infrastructure inspection solution earlier this year.

The partnership has already begun operations in the UK and Europe, including a new partnership with an unnamed linear infrastructure operator. More information on Skyports is available here, and more information on Field is available here. 

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

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