The Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition Seeks to Improve Safety, Efficiency, Security, and ROI

For the past ten years, innovators all around the globe have found ways to transform unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, as we normally call them, into versatile, specialized platforms to perform tasks that were either too difficult, too dangerous, or too expensive to accomplish with conventional methods and crewed aircraft.

The energy industry in particular found huge value in using uncrewed platforms to undertake risky assignments. It is difficult to imagine something riskier than dealing with a flammable substance that emerges from the ground with great pressure. Traditionally, oil companies have found ways to isolate, or distance, humans from most dangerous operations using technology but now, with the emergence of robotics, this trend is growing exponentially.

This need to isolate people from dangerous tasks in the energy industry motivated a group of individuals and corporations to create the Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition (EDRC), an organization dedicated to improving safety, efficiency, return on investment (ROI), and security in energy operations through the use of UAVs, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI).

EDRC organizes an annual meeting for its members, and we had the opportunity to attend this year’s event at the Woodlands in Texas where we met with Sean Guerre, Director of EDRC.

“This year, we are here at the sixth annual gathering of our members to exchange ideas and see what the multiple vendors have to offer in the areas of aerial, ground, water surface, and submarine robotic solutions,” Sean said. “It’s amazing how this new, emerging industry is advancing in leaps and bounds, making this event more necessary every year. The number of new solutions and improvements over last year’s products is incredible.”

With over 16,000 community members, the ERDC is chartered with the responsibility to keep up to date in the latest improvements to equipment and processes. The annual event is an opportunity for industry and academia to showcase their innovations.

“Imagine the awesome responsibility of keeping all that oil and gas critical infrastructure safe and in working order,” Sean said with enthusiasm. “Our members are constantly looking for alternative solutions to increase return on investment and to keep their field personnel safe. The Coalition takes the job of bringing the best solutions to its members very seriously, and that’s why this yearly gathering is such an important occasion.” h/t Juan Plaza and Commercial UAV News

SwissDrones Granted European Drone Operator License (LUC)

SwissDrones, a global manufacturer of long-range unmanned helicopter systems, has obtained their European drone operator license – the EASA Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) in accordance with European Regulation (EU) 947/2019, granted by the Transport Malta Civil Aviation Directorate (Transport Malta), the country’s Civil Aviation Authority.

This is the first LUC issued by Transport Malta, and the sixth issued in Europe. The certificate allows SwissDrones to self-authorize flight operations of its SDO50 V2 unmanned helicopters across EASA countries, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations within the limits of the certificate. It is the highest authorization achievable under European drone regulations.

“It has been a pleasure working with our counterparts at Transport Malta,” said Arangan Varatharajah, Head of Flight Operations at SwissDrones. “They have been very professional and supportive throughout the application process, and we look forward to our continued collaboration as we expand our activities in Malta and beyond.”

Dr Analiza Abdilla, UAV Flight Operations Inspecting Officer at Transport Malta, said “We are pleased to be issuing our first LUC certificate to SwissDrones, with whom we have been working closely over the past months towards achieving this milestone. They have demonstrated a highly professional approach throughout the entire process and we look forward to further supporting the development of their operations within and beyond the Maltese islands.”

SwissDrones plans to perform ongoing BVLOS flight testing campaigns in Malta, given the ideal geographical environment with ample airspace for long-range testing in real-life conditions, including in coastal areas and over the ocean. Additionally, the nation is a growing hub for unmanned aviation with a dedicated support infrastructure and a clear governmental commitment to advance this high-growth industry.

About SwissDrones

As a leading manufacturer and operator of long-range unmanned helicopter systems, SwissDrones enables safe and cost-effective unmanned aerial intelligence solutions for surveillance, inspection and search & rescue missions beyond visual line of sight.

SwissDrones’ unique twin-rotor unmanned helicopter systems are designed to replace manned helicopters at reduced costs, significantly lower carbon emissions and without putting crews at risk when operating in challenging conditions. The systems integrate high-end sensor payloads and enable long-range, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations both day and night with a flight endurance of multiple hours.

SwissDrones’ aircraft are in operation across Asia, Europe, and North America. SwissDrones was founded in 2013 and is based out of Switzerland with its headquarters in Zurich and its manufacturing site in Buchs (St. Gallen). It has been named a Top 50 Global UAV Enterprise by the World UAV Federation and a Top 40 Civil Drone Platform Manufacturer by Drone Industry Insights. For more information, please visit www.swissdrones.com

About Transport Malta

Transport Malta is the Authority for Transport in Malta. Transport Malta’s mission is to promote and develop the transport sector in Malta by means of proper regulation and by promotion and development of related services, businesses, and other interests both locally and internationally. For more information, please visit www.transport.gov.mt