PrecisionHawk launches AI aerial mapping, modeling and inspection service
Drone technology developer PrecisionHawk, Inc. this week launched PrecisionAnalytics Energy, an artificial intelligence-driven aerial mapping, modeling, and inspection platform that will automate data analysis in the energy, utility, renewables and oil and gas industries.
The new platform is divided into five market solutions: distribution, transmission, wind, solar and oil and gas. Distribution is a cloud-based system that capitalizes on machine learning to automate the inspection of distribution pole and component damage through cross-referencing of imagery against data. Transmission tracks infrastructure statistics, vegetation maps, detailed views and historical records for greater insight into various assets.
On the other hand, wind reports issues like corrosion, lightning strike damage, small cracks and more across either individual turbine blades or across whole fleets, pushing preventative maintenance over downtime caused by human-led inspections. Solar, likewise, applies to fleets or modules alike, detecting issues like cell-level defects and reverse polarity once integrated into existing solar asset management systems. In this way, PrecisionHawk says the system massively cuts inspection times and actively roots out more issues. Lastly, the oil and gas industry uses drones and machine-based image reviews to track asset conditions, making use of thermal, infrared and methane detection lasers, among others, to track them.
“By working closely with so many enterprise clients during the data capture phase, we have learned a tremendous amount about what they need to be successful,” Michael Chasen, CEO of PrecisionHawk, said. “Our customers have consistently told us that they need a more efficient way to inspect their assets and analyze data. PrecisionAnalytics is that solution — utilizing advanced AI and machine learning to address the complexities of the energy enterprise. The results speak for themselves: drone-based aerial intelligence helps businesses reduce costs while improving the safety of their workers and insight into their assets.”
The company is confident enough in the new program to say that PrecisionAnalytics can reduce costs up to 80 percent while continuing to improve safety. The program is now publicly available and has already been deployed.
