Remote inspections with collision-tolerant drone

29 Jun 2018

Visual and thermal surveys performed in enclosed spaces with a FHD/IR camera in a caged drone

Current drone technology is implemented primarily in the fields of energy and industry in order to carry out outdoor examinations. Standard solutions and technologies are unable to operate closely with structures or in close proximity to workers, in confined spaces and critical environments.

Marine & Industrial Consultings is a company equipped to perform remote inspections of critical confined spaces and inaccessible places. This particular equipment allows to fly in and inspect very complex environments thanks to a carbon fiber caged drone.

The device is able to record FHD and IR videos with a resolution of 0,2 mm/px. The protective cage is spherical with a diameter just below 400 mm. The system has onboard a powerful adjustable LED lighting installation that make it possible to operate in environments with no light. Marine & Industrial Consultings, also operating in the Marine sector, decided to obtain voluntary certification as a Service Supplier with RINA in order to use this drone to inspect close spaces such as i.e. holds, cisterns, double bottoms, empty spaces, as per RINA rules requirement.

The certification process was carried out thanks to the specific guidelines that RINA delivered for this purpose (taking into account IACS Recommendations), named "Guide for Use of Remote Inspection Techniques".