UAV operator demos drone addition to fleet
Scotland-based Interocean Marine Services demonstrated its new Flyability Elios 3 UT drone using the Valaris jack-up rig as a base to show how the technology eliminates the risk of working at height and in confined spaces.
By reducing the need for scaffolding and rope, the drone solution minimises costs as well as danger.
The Elias 3 UT has Swiss firm Flyability’s ultrasonic thickness measurement (UTM) payload on board, which the firms say can provide accurate readings 10 times faster than traditional methods.
“Committed to reducing downtime and improving safety across the energy, maritime and industrial sectors, Interocean is one of the first companies offering the Elios 3 UT drone technology across the globe,” Interocean says.
The Elios 3 has been designed to fly in hazardous areas such as confined spaces and uses LIDAR and photogrammetry sensors to produce a 3D map of the area in real time as an area is flown, a spokeswoman for Interocean said.
“This live 3D map on the pilot’s tablet details the environment surrounding the drone, producing enough situational awareness that the pilot can fly largely by referencing the 3D model, and therefore flying safely beyond visual line of sight.”
It can fly at a maximum altitude of 120 metres and 150 metres horizontally.
“Drones typically used in the offshore environment are commercial grade vehicles and subject to the application carry a range of sensors, cameras and payload to undertake many survey and inspection tasks,” the spokeswoman said. “They are also equipped with a range of additional operational safety features and failsafes that allow them to perform safely in the offshore environment.
“The Elios 3 has been fabricated using state of the art materials including carbon fibre – kevlar composites, magnesium alloy, aeronautical grade aluminium and high-quality thermoplastics.”
“As a provider of visual, conventional, and advanced NDT inspections, we are always striving to continue advancing the services we provide,” said Interocean COO Alex Reid. “Introducing the Elios 3 UT drone to market is a significant milestone for Interocean and NDT inspection as a whole.”
“Delivering precise location-tagged measurements in confined spaces, the probe arm of the Elios 3 UT is the smartest ever built on a drone,” said Flyability area sales manager Inga Khchoyan. ”Backed by several years of research and development, the drone is the latest advance in our suite of technologies.”
Interocean provides a wide range of cost-effective marine, engineering, survey, subsea, risk management, and mooring project management services throughout the project lifecycle.
