Industrial Drones In Action: Security, Safety, and Operations
Drones and robotics are emerging as indispensable tools for enhancing safety, efficiency, and data quality. From the manufacturing sector to energy utilities and public safety, these technologies are enabling organizations to handle complex, high-risk operations with unprecedented accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
This article compiles four recent case studies from Energy Drone & Robotics that show how industrial enterprises are leveraging advanced robotics and drones to address unique operational challenges.
ComEd’s AI-Powered Drones for Grid Management
Utility companies face increasing demands for reliable grid management, and ComEd is employing drones and AI to revolutionize how it inspects and maintains its power infrastructure. Presenters Clint Palermo and Joey Martinez explained how ComEd uses drones combined with AI-driven computer vision to inspect power poles and identify components susceptible to failure. This AI-powered approach allows for centralized data collection, speeding up inspections and reducing manual labor requirements across ComEd’s extensive network.
The platform not only enhances efficiency but also improves data quality, as it automatically identifies defects on power poles with impressive accuracy.
With additional use cases in vegetation management and third-party audits, ComEd is expanding its AI capabilities to handle broader challenges. This centralized approach exemplifies how AI and drones can transform utility management by improving grid reliability while reducing operational costs.
FDNY’s Robotics Program: Enhancing Urban Fire Safety
From EMS1
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is pioneering the use of robotics to tackle complex fire safety challenges. Mike Leo, head of FDNY’s robotics unit, detailed how the department employs drones and robots to monitor fires and manage other emergencies across New York City’s dense infrastructure. These devices provide critical aerial footage and thermal imaging during high-risk incidents, offering insights that would otherwise be challenging to obtain.
FDNY’s innovative use of drones has extended beyond firefighting to beach patrols for spotting distressed swimmers and monitoring rip currents. Despite urban flight challenges, such as navigating between skyscrapers and managing communication disruptions, the FDNY’s robotics program has adapted through advanced training and strict coordination. Their forward-thinking approach includes plans to integrate lidar and SLAM (synchronized localization and mapping) technology, promising to redefine public safety and emergency response standards in urban areas.
Equinor’s Robotics Strategy for Energy Sector Safety and Efficiency
Equinor is using drones and robotics to enhance safety and cost-efficiency across its operations. Leading Advisor Geir Tore Knudsen outlined how Equinor deploys robotics for subsea inspections, high-altitude inspections, and confined space tasks, reducing human exposure to hazardous environments. This strategy aligns with Equinor’s commitment to high-value, low-carbon, and safety-focused operations.
Robots like ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) for deep-sea inspections and mini-ROVs for shallow waters exemplify Equinor’s innovation in hazardous environments, ensuring reliable data without putting personnel at risk. By leveraging robots for tasks previously requiring shutdowns or scaffolding, Equinor has cut costs significantly. They are also developing autonomous drone solutions for routine monitoring and first-responder roles, setting a precedent for how energy companies can integrate robotics for long-term, efficient operations.
Autonomous Drones for Manufacturing Security at Dow
Dow has integrated autonomous drones to strengthen site security and operational efficiency. Catherine Tea shared at the Energy Drone and Robotics Summit how drones are enhancing the safety and security of their manufacturing facilities, reducing the need for human patrols in high-risk areas. Dow’s approach demonstrates the dual benefits of drones in aerial surveillance and rapid emergency response, offering real-time video feeds, thermal imagery, and night vision for robust site monitoring.
The integration of drones not only improves security coverage but also minimizes costs associated with traditional human patrols. However, Dow has faced challenges, including a critical drone crash incident, which underscored the importance of stringent safety protocols. With improved measures, such as UAS operators and radar technology, Dow continues to explore future possibilities for drones in industrial applications, showing a promising path for autonomous security solutions in manufacturing.
A Unified Vision for Robotics and Drones Across Industries
These four cases collectively illustrate how organizations from manufacturing and energy to public safety and utilities are redefining their operations through robot and drone programs. Each organization faces unique challenges—Dow’s need for secure facility monitoring, Equinor’s focus on hazardous environment inspections, FDNY’s urban safety mission, and ComEd’s vast grid management requirements. Yet, they all share a commitment to safety, efficiency, and operational excellence that robotics and drones uniquely enable.
As these technologies continue to evolve, industries will likely witness even greater integration of autonomous solutions, smart data analytics, and AI-powered decision-making. These successes underscore a broader shift toward a future where drones and robotics play an integral role in creating safer, more efficient, and highly responsive environments across sectors.