SwissDrones Featured in Energy, Oil & Gas Magazine: Leading Innovation in Aerial Intelligence
Our CEO, Ulrich Amberg, recently spoke with Energy, Oil & Gas Magazine about the growing global demand for high-performance uncrewed helicopter solutions in critical sectors such as inspection, monitoring, search & rescue, and aerial surveillance. In the interview, he shares how our company is shaping the future of industrial drone operations by pushing the boundaries of reliability, autonomy, and real-time data intelligence.
“Currently, there is a gap between industry requirements and the existing way of working, which involves heavy, manned helicopters, inspecting infrastructure and providing aerial surveillance services. There have been several attempts to replace this process with simple, small drones, and many programs operating in the energy industry have built their own programs but the general conclusion from these endeavors is that while it’s possible to carry out local inspections, there’s only so much a small drone can do. As such, to plug this gap, our solution offers an alternative to traditional manned helicopters. A solution that is safe, sustainable, and cost efficient, offering a significant reduction in risk, pollution, and cost when compared to manned missions. We replace manned helicopters with an uncrewed system, with long-range capability, that flies beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS).
We’re transforming the way all these missions are carried out, taking manned helicopters out of the process to disrupt the current application and replacing them with our uncrewed helicopters to capture data for real-time observation or to provide insights and actionable outcomes. The SDO 50 enables CO₂ emission reductions of up to 95 percent compared to manned helicopters. As such, long-range BVLOS drones can be a significant enabler for a greener future. Additionally, the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system is highly cost-effective compared to manned aerial solutions and requires less training to operate confidently.”
Ongoing inspections of critical infrastructure such as high-voltage power lines, gas and oil pipelines and other far-stretched assets are critical for their uninterrupted operation and security. SwissDrones offers cost-effective unmanned solutions using market-leading cameras, sensors and software to address customer- specific needs for aerial data gathering and processing.
Indeed, leading energy provider, Southern Company, deploys SwissDrones SDO 50 flagship product to enhance aerial intelligence capabilities. "Energy companies are dealing with a host of difficult circumstances when it comes to maintaining their critical infrastructure," says Ulrich. "From an increase in extreme weather events to cumbersome inspection practices, companies need new, innovative solutions. Teaming up with Southern Company will enable more efficient aerial surveillance and inspection to navigate those challenges. "Southern Company decided to purchase our products and is now expanding its own capability to ramp up operations. The company has obtained its own approvals with the FAA based on the use and deployment of our aircraft." This collaboration signifies SwissDrones' expansion into North America and reflects a broader industry trend toward adopting advanced uncrewed systems for critical infrastructure monitoring and emergency response.
Curious about how leading energy providers like Southern Company are using BVLOS technology to overcome infrastructure challenges?
Read the full interview in Energy, Oil & Gas Magazine here
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