Energy Drone & Robotics Brief | October 4, 2024

ComEd is Supercharging Grid Inspections with Drones and AI

ComEd’s latest case study shows just how far AI and drone tech have come in transforming grid management and inspections.

With a little help from Optelos, and Skydio drones, and AI, ComEd is changing the powerline inspection game. They’ve got their eye on 1.2 million poles across 35,000 miles of distribution lines—which, let’s be honest, is more than any of us want to walk in a lifetime.

Here’s the deal:

• Drones + AI = Grid Hero: ComEd’s drones aren’t just taking Instagram-worthy shots of power lines—they’re capturing images and training AI to detect potential issues, like broken crossarms and insulators. Think of it as an AI-powered inspector in the sky.
• All in One Place: Say goodbye to hunting down data from different hard drives—or everyone’s messy desktops. Now, all images are stored on one platform, ready for employees to access.?
• Saving Trips (and Sanity): With data already in the system, engineers can skip unnecessary field trips. Just imagine the gas station snack savings alone!?
• AI’s Brainpower: The AI can detect defects with up to 90% accuracy (it’s still learning about lightning arresters—but hey, we all have that one tricky subject, right?).

This isn’t just about keeping the lights on – it’s about bringing smart tech into the mix to make grid management more efficient, reliable, and let’s face it, way cooler.

Check out how ComEd is leading the charge (pun intended) in AI and drone-powered inspections, and get inspired by the power of tech to keep the grid running smoothly!

Read the ComEd case study recap

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Use Case Roundup: Robots on Construction Sites

Robots are taking over construction sites (not in a scary way).?

In this week’s article, “Robot Roundup: Use Cases on Construction Sites,” we explore how dozens of cutting-edge robots are transforming construction—one brick, beam, and drywall panel at a time. They’re not just walking around with hard hats looking cute, they’re boosting efficiency, cutting costs, and making job sites safer.

From 3D concrete printers (yes, you read that right) to autonomous haulage systems, these robots are taking on the tasks that make us all say, “Better them than me.” Here are just a few we’ve got our eye on:

• TyBOT – This robot ties rebar faster than your uncle ties a fishing knot—no contest.
• Canvas – Drywall finishing? More like dry-well-done!
• Hadrian X – A bricklayer that never complains about back pain.?

You’ll also meet the likes of MULE (he lifts, bro), DroneDeploy (drones doing more than just taking selfies), and SitePrint, a layout printer that takes the guesswork out of your blueprints.

Whether you’re dreaming of a construction site where robots do all the heavy lifting (literally), or you just want to impress your friends with some robot trivia, this roundup is for you.

See our list of 25+ construction robots on the jobsite.

P.S. No robots were harmed in the making of this blog.

See Industrial Drone & Robotics Tech at Techtoberfest!

You've heard of Oktoberfest - it's now time for the highly anticipated 3rd Annual Techtoberfest! ?Join us and MFE on October 25th!

This is your chance to engage with industry leaders, explore cutting-edge equipment, and network with peers. See the latest innovations in inspection technology and enjoy local eateries! Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to advance your knowledge and connections in the inspection technology field. Experience live demos from DroneDeploy, Skydio, Voliro, and Wohler! Secure a ticket to learning and innovation in Pasadena, Texas in just a few weeks!

WHAT ELSE?

• Spot the robot dog from Boston Dynamics recently received new updates for managing missions and data. These capabilities include acoustic leak detection, which allows operators to perform predictive maintenance, and enhanced navigation for more efficient inspections.
• Utility companies face significant financial repercussions when power outages or equipment failures occur, with the costs often exceeding six figures. One of the most effective ways to mitigate these risks is through regular and rapid inspections of distribution poles and other critical infrastructure. Digital innovation, AI and automation are transforming these operations. Uncover the costs of downtime in distribution networks.
• Skydio has announced the release of Dock for X10, a new system designed to make autonomous drone operations more accessible and scalable.?
• Pyka, an electric aviation technology leader that designs and manufactures large-scale autonomous electric aircraft, recently announced a $40M Series B raise to advance commercialization of dual-use autonomous electric aircraft.
• Draganfly Inc., a drone solutions and systems developer, along with Nightingale Security, a provider of robotic aerial security, have been selected by a major oil and gas company to develop a fully automated UAS solution for infrastructure monitoring.?
• Predicting the path and intensity of a hurricane is a complex science that employs not just satellite imagery, but also state-of-the-art drones that can dive, sail and fly straight into the heart of the most powerful storms.

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).

Subscribe and every Tuesday get the top use cases, projects and tech to stay in-the-loop on industrial drones, robotics, automation, geospatial and AI!