10 things that set the ELIOS 3 apart from other inspection drones
Flyability's ELIOS 3 is built for inspections in confined, dark industrial environments. According to the manufacturer, it is the first drone for internal inspection to combine LiDAR technology with IP44 protection. Below we set out ten points in which it differs from other drones for internal inspection.
ELIOS 3: what the drone delivers for your boiler, tank and silo inspection
We fly the ELIOS 3 in boilers, tanks, silos, chimneys from the inside and in halls. From LiDAR-assisted navigation to the protective cage, the following ten points show what distinguishes it for industrial inspections.
Christian Engelke
1. IP44 protection: usable in damp plants too
The ELIOS 3 is protected to IP44 against solid objects larger than 1 mm and against splashing water; it has no dust protection. Whether in silos, damp sewage treatment plants or power stations, the robust protective cage allows inspections even in harsh conditions. Dense dust does, however, limit visibility. Its protection against splashing water distinguishes the ELIOS 3 from ordinary drones.
2. LiDAR SLAM: stable navigation in a dark tank, every image located
The ELIOS 3 maps its surroundings in 3D in real time using LiDAR SLAM. Even in dark tanks or convoluted plant sections it navigates safely and generates a 3D point cloud as it goes. The technology stabilises the flight without a GPS signal and in darkness, as the drone carries its own lighting – a clear advantage over purely camera-based systems.
3. Add-on modules: what Flyability offers and what we use
Flyability offers additional modules for ultrasonic and radiation measurement for the ELIOS 3. We use the ELIOS 3 for visual inspection and 3D capture; wall thickness and dose rate are measured by your inspector or radiation protection officer specifically at the points our report shows.
4. Visual inspection shows where to measure
Wall thickness measurements show how far corrosion or material fatigue has progressed on hard-to-reach structures such as storage tanks, vessels or pipes. Conventional inspection methods often need scaffolding or aerial work platforms for this. The flight covers the visual inspection of the entire surface and shows the points at which the expert assessor takes targeted measurements on the component. Vessels and tanks are out of service and released for the drone flight during internal inspection; without scaffolding and without man entry, the shutdown is shorter.
5. Batteries with cell monitoring: flights you can plan
The ELIOS 3 uses batteries with integrated monitoring of charge level and cells. This makes flight time predictable and reduces the risk of an unexpected failure during the inspection. The battery is swapped between flights, so the inspection continues without long breaks.
6. Experienced pilots instead of flying it yourself
The ELIOS 3 is a tool for professionals: inspection flights in confined spaces – in the dark, with dust, internal fittings and wall contact – require experience. That is why only our own pilots fly on our deployments. They know how the drone behaves in boilers, tanks and silos and how to plan footage so that it is suitable for the subsequent assessment. We do not offer pilot training. If you have your own ELIOS 3, we will be happy to advise you on how to use it.
7. Every image located in the inspection report
In the inspection report, photos and videos are linked to the 3D point cloud of the flight. This means every image can be located in the model, and anomalies are marked and documented. For corrosion or structural damage, you receive a traceable basis for maintenance planning; the assessment is made by your expert assessors or inspectors.
8. Comparable data across several sites
Flyability distributes the ELIOS 3 through an international partner network, so support and spare parts are readily available. For operators with sites in several countries, this means that footage and point clouds are produced everywhere with the same technology and can be compared. We inspect in Germany, and in other European countries on request.
9. Robust hardware for use in industrial plants
The ELIOS 3 was developed from the ground up for industrial use. Its components are designed for the harsh conditions in industrial plants, from the 4K camera to the impact-resistant protective structure. Dust, moisture and wall contact are part of everyday deployments. This robustness allows flights in places where unprotected drones soon reach their limits.
10. Data that everyone involved can work with
Every flight with the ELIOS 3 produces photos, videos and a 3D point cloud. You receive this data together with our inspection report, in which the anomalies are located. Your expert assessors, maintenance staff and engineers can work from the same basis, even at different sites, and later inspections can be compared with earlier ones.
What would otherwise need scaffolding or man entry, the ELIOS 3 records
The ELIOS 3 considerably extends the possibilities of industrial internal inspections. With LiDAR SLAM, IP44 protection and its own lighting, it reaches areas that would otherwise only be accessible with scaffolding, rope access technicians or man entry. From stable navigation in dark tanks to the location of every image in the point cloud: you receive an inspection report with photos, videos, a 3D point cloud and located anomalies – and the inspection takes hours instead of days. The drone sees surfaces; measurements in contact with the component and the assessment are carried out by your expert assessor, specifically at the points the report shows. With the drone, a shutdown stays short – and some plants can even be inspected while they are running.