Drones and robots for eight industries
Drones and ground robots take on different tasks in every industry. Choose your industry to see what is possible today and who is already using it.
Inspect grids without shutting down
Drones and ground robots inspect lines, substations and power plants and monitor the assets while they keep running.
For transmission and distribution system operators, municipal utilities, and power plant and wind farm operators
Typical applications
- Protect critical infrastructureRobots and drones monitor substations, line corridors and power plant sites around the clock.
- Track down faultsA live feed of the fault location, straight to the control room.
- Inspect overhead linesWhile live, with zoom and thermal imaging.
- Check substationsInspection rounds on a fixed schedule.
- Monitor line corridorsSpot vegetation growth and construction work early.
- Inspect power plants and wind turbinesWithout scaffolding or long shutdowns.
When a fault is reported, the drone flies to the line automatically. The live feed reaches the control room before a team is sent out.
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The drone inspects high-voltage lines automatically, without anyone climbing the pylons.
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Inspect and protect solar farms
Docked drones inspect modules, secure the site and document construction, by day and by night.
For solar farm operators, developers and O&M providers
Typical applications
- Protect critical infrastructureDocked drones monitor the solar farm and its grounds around the clock, by day and by night.
- Detect and track theftStolen cables can be located for up to five hours.
- Inspect modules with thermal imagingFind defective cells in the thermal image.
- Document construction progressWith no gaps, on a fixed schedule.
- Check invertersSpot hot connections early.
- Transport materialModules to places no vehicle can reach.
Stolen cables can be located for up to five hours. When an alarm is raised, the drone takes off and the live feed goes to the control room.
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A drone dock on the transformer station monitors the solar park and inspects the modules in visible light and infrared.
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A dock documents construction of the solar farm and then monitors the finished site.
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Inspect before anyone goes in
Ground robots patrol tank farms and measure gas, while drones fly along pipelines and pipe bridges.
For refineries, tank farms, pipeline and transmission system operators, and gas network operators
Typical applications
- Protect critical infrastructureRobots and drones monitor tank farms, pipelines and operating sites around the clock.
- Measure gasBefore anyone enters the area.
- Patrol the tank farmOn a fixed schedule, with the robot handling its own charging.
- Fly along pipelines and corridorsRegularly, with results comparable over months.
- Inspect tanks and pipe bridgesWithout scaffolding or walk-downs.
- Detect leaksThermal imaging reveals escaping gases and liquids early.
Security patrols around the clock
Ground robots patrol production areas and warehouses, while drones monitor the site from the air. This supports site and plant security.
For chemical parks, plants, refineries and operators of production facilities
Typical applications
- Run security patrolsSeveral times a day, on a fixed schedule.
- Read gaugesPressure gauges and displays read automatically.
- Detect leaks and gasOn pipes, pumps and vessels.
- Detect heat and firesOn the ground and from the air.
- Patrol the siteBy day and by night.
- Inspect tight spacesUnder tanks and between pipes.
Construction progress documented automatically
Docked drones document the construction site, survey the terrain and inspect structures. The data goes straight into the GIS.
For construction companies, developers, engineering consultancies and operators of bridges, corridors and transport routes
Typical applications
- Document construction progressOn a fixed schedule, delivered as GeoTIFF.
- Survey the siteOrthophotos, point clouds and 3D models.
- Inspect bridges and structuresWithout scaffolding or cherry pickers.
- Transport materialAcross water, up slopes, onto roofs.
- Monitor the sitePatrol flights outside working hours.
Images on a fixed schedule, delivered straight to the GIS as GeoTIFFs. The data stays on the customer's own servers.
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Analyse and apply precisely
Agricultural drones show the condition of crops, apply inputs only where they are needed and find fawns before mowing.
For farmers, agricultural contractors, winegrowers and forestry businesses
Typical applications
- Analyse cropsAssess plant health and spot infestation early.
- Apply preciselyCrop protection and fertiliser only on the parts of the field that need it.
- Save fawnsWith thermal imaging before mowing.
- Survey landMaps for planning and applications.
- Assess damageCaused by storms, wildlife or bark beetles.
The big picture from above
Drones give an overview of the scene, find missing persons and deliver rescue equipment where every minute counts.
For fire services, police, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), civil protection, the German Red Cross, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) and Wasserwacht
Typical applications
- Situational awareness during operationsEven in smoke and darkness.
- Search for missing personsWith thermal imaging, even at night.
- Water rescueA rescue line delivered by cargo drone.
- Fly emergency deliveriesAcross water, slopes and closed roads.
- Document operationsFor debriefing and training.
Our partner company ProFlyCenter offers drone detection and counter-drone systems for airports, prisons and critical infrastructure.
A rescue line delivered by cargo drone, even where no boat can operate on the ice.
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Reconnoitre and secure without putting people at risk
Drones and ground robots reconnoitre terrain, secure installations and go ahead into places that are dangerous for people.
For armed forces, procurement agencies and operators of military installations
Typical applications
- Reconnoitre terrainSituational awareness from the air and on the ground, even at night.
- Secure perimetersRobots and drones monitor installations around the clock.
- Check for unexploded ordnanceThe robot goes first, before people enter the area.
- Transport materialAcross water, slopes and rough terrain.
Frequently asked questions
How do robots and drones protect critical infrastructure?
They carry out inspection rounds on a fixed schedule and head straight to the reported location when an alarm is raised. The live feed goes directly to your control room, so your team can assess the situation before anyone is sent out.
Are we allowed to fly automated missions without a pilot on site?
Yes, with an operational authorisation from the competent aviation authority, depending on the operator's seat the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) or the state aviation authority. As the holder of an LUC, Solectric GmbH knows the authorisation process first-hand and guides you through your application.
Who operates the system?
Your team. We train the operators and the control room. After that, missions run through CyberXHub, on a schedule or when an alarm is raised.
Our industry is not listed. Can it still work?
In many cases, yes, because tasks such as surveillance, inspection, surveying and transport exist in almost every industry. Describe your task and we will tell you what can solve it.
Where is our data stored?
With you. CyberXHub runs in the cloud or entirely within your own IT. Drones and robots can be operated without the manufacturer's cloud, and if CyberXHub is installed on your own servers, no data leaves your network.
Do we buy or rent the system?
You buy the system, and we safeguard its day-to-day operation with a maintenance contract.