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Description
The monitoring and inspection of power lines has a fundamental role in mitigating electric supply risks, as the mandatory inspections provide essential input for maintenance plans and increase the safety of the critical infrastructure. In order to reduce inspection costs and overcome the shortcomings of traditional inspection methods, power network operators have started to implement UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicle) in inspection work. There are however significant technological bottlenecks present which prevent utilizing UAV-s efficiently for inspections. State-of-the-art inspection methods cannot cover large areas in a short period of time and at a reasonable price.
The main objective of the project is to develop the first turnkey end-to-end inspection technology, which automates the power inspections and the following inspection data analysis for large areas. Technology has reached minimum viable product (MVP) phase and first commercialization efforts have started in order to validate the concept and gain market traction. However, to maximize the value of the technology and scale the solution, further development is needed. In addition, Hepta will develop data processing platform and digital twin of power line maintenance called uBird, which will widen Hepta’s reach even further. The objective of the main call project is to complete fully functional autonomous power grid inspection system technology for full scale commercialization by upgrading the inspection process and automating data analysis and delivery of the results.
As a result of the project, Hepta Airborne OÜ together with ICB Digital AS aim to develop a fully functional autonomous power grid inspection system technology for full scale commercialization by upgrading the inspection process and automating data analysis and delivery of the results.