As wind farms proliferate in more remote onshore and offshore locations, a U.K. startup is deploying self-piloting drones to survey turbine blades and transmit data to produce detailed images of damage using artificial intelligence. Another technology firm is close to commercializing a robot to make closer damage surveys and undertake repairs.
Once released, the drone orients itself and, depending on conditions, spends about 20 minutes scanning a turbine before returning to its launch point. “All the operator is seeing is a progress bar and images coming through,” says Kostas Karachalios, CEO of drone startup firm Perceptual Robotics.