Energy Drone & Robotics Brief | Nov. 29, 2024

Ultrasonic Testing: From Clipboard Chaos to Data Brilliance

Ultrasonic testing (UT) has been a cornerstone of the energy industry for decades, quietly ensuring pipelines, storage tanks, flare stacks, and other hard-to-inspect assets stay safe and reliable via non-destructive testing (NDT). But let’s face it: the process hasn’t always been glamorous. Clipboard juggling? Transcription errors? Data disappearing into the void of mismatched systems? Yikes.

Thankfully, times are changing. Today’s UT setups are looking a lot smarter, thanks to bluetooth-enabled devices and platforms that actually play nice with your existing systems.

In our recent article, we explore how modern UT is transforming inspections:

• Fewer Headaches: Say goodbye to paper trails and hello to instant data transfers.
• Better Insights: Standardized data that’s ready for real analysis (no Excel gymnastics required).
• Future-ready Tools: Integration with AI, robotics, and whatever tech tomorrow throws at us.

While advanced UT devices are a leap forward, their potential is only fully realized when paired with platform-agnostic data management systems—for example, HUVR’s Reliability Automation Platform—which address the pitfalls of earlier methods by ensuring seamless integration, standardization, future-proofing, and enhanced insights.

If you’ve ever wished inspections were faster, safer, and less of a logistical nightmare, this one’s for you.

UT isn’t just about checking for cracks—it’s about building a more efficient future.

Read the full story on the future of ultrasonic testing

From Barges to BVLOS: Scaling UAV Programs

Did you know drones can save $400K? No, we’re not talking about a drone made of gold (though that would be cool). At this year’s Drone & Robotics Operators Forum, Suncor Energy shared how they used drones to analyze haul roads and save their mining trucks’ $400,000-a-piece tires.?

From scaling programs to analyzing methane emissions, this operator roundtable session, “Taking Your Programs Further & Scaling to the Next Level,” was packed with uplifting insights. (See what we did there?) Panelists Genevieve Dacambra (Suncor Energy), Scott McGowan (NetZero Aerial), Dustin Waller (Oxy), and John Fowler (Cyberhawk) shared how they’re scaling UAV programs.

Some highlights:

• ROI That Speaks Volumes: Replace satellite imagery, cut inspection costs, and keep your execs smiling.
• Speed Things Up: One team reduced a 75-day survey to just 1.5 days. Mic drop.
• Tools for Success: Whether it’s lidar or 360° videos, the tech’s evolving fast. Keep up or get left behind.

Oh, and if you’re tired of staring at endless SharePoint folders, learn how these leaders are democratizing their data. Spoiler alert: there’s hope for your files yet.

Curious to learn more? Check out our full session recap.

And get signed up for the 2025 Energy Drone & Robotics Summit to be first on the list to hear about next year’s Drone & Robotics Operators Forum.

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WHAT ELSE?

• Shell Exploration and Production Inc. completed its 2024 Gulf of Mexico (GOM) subsea survey using an autonomous robot. The project covered inactive and active assets off the Louisiana coast. All testing was completed using a Nauticus Robotics Inc. robot without a tether at depths up to 1,000 m.
• NYSEG and RG&E are ramping up their Drone Inspection program to evaluate thousands of miles of power transmission lines as winter approaches in New York state. The inspection drones carry?high-resolution cameras that capture detailed imagery of electrical infrastructure, enabling technicians to spot potential issues before they become major problems.
• ANRA Technologies announced a significant milestone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granting it a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to deploy its strategic drone conflict detection and conformance monitoring services.
• Amazon recently began delivering packages via drone to the West Valley of the Phoenix, Arizona Metro Area. Customers who live near the same-day delivery site in Tolleson, Ariz. and purchase an eligible item weighing five pounds or less can have it delivered by drone in under an hour.
• Dianna Liu of ARIX Technologies recently joined the Houston Innovators Podcast to share her entrepreneurial journey — and why Houston was the right place to start her robotics company that creates technology to more safely and efficiently monitor corrosion in pipelines.
• Volatus Aerospace Inc. and Kongsberg Geospatial announced a new collaboration to enhance Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) through the integration of Kongsberg's IRIS Terminal into Volatus' state-of-the-art Operations Control Center (OCC).
• Draganfly Inc. announced that it has closed its previously announced offering of 1,600,000 units of the Company, with each unit consisting of one common share and one warrant to purchase one common share.
• Singapore, now has an added attraction – autonomous road cleaners. Marina Bay in Singapore is playing host to electric Robosweepers?from Chinese company?WeRide.

ABOUT US

The Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition is focused on innovating energy operations with dynamic UAV, Robotics, Data and Automation solutions.

The Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition (aka EDR Coalition or EDRC) is a forum dedicated to launching, growing and scaling enterprise unmanned systems operations in energy companies worldwide by bringing the leaders in the drone and robotics ecosystem together with the energy industrial complex asset owners and end users.

The EDRC brings innovators together to advance the industry through digital resource sharing (like the weekly Energy Drone & Robotics Newsroom, resources on the website, blogs, podcasts and webinars), as well as live, virtual and hybrid events (including the annual Global Gathering, as well as smaller meetups throughout the year).

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