Germany is using drones to complete 8 hours’ worth of tank inspections in just 30 minutes

Ishveena Singh | Jun 26 2024 - 4:38 am PT



Tank terminal operators in Germany are quickly pivoting to drones for cost-effective and reliable tank roof inspections. AI-driven autonomous inspection solutions are helping operators to perform inspection flights remotely, without the need for onsite pilots.

Traditionally, manual inspection of floating roof tanks involves operators climbing 25-meter-high tanks to check their condition. It’s a labor-intensive and risky task prone to human error. Given that tank terminals often have dozens of these tanks, manual inspections can be extremely time-consuming and hazardous. This is why Energy Robotics, an AI software platform for autonomous inspection robots, comes in.

Energy Robotics says its drones can complete what would normally be eight hours of manual inspections in just 30 minutes. Controlled remotely, thanks to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) approvals in the EU, these drones can conduct automated flights, eliminating the need for inspectors to be present on-site. Consequently, workers can focus on more critical tasks, improving their health and longevity by avoiding the physical strain of manual inspections.

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