Drones and the Future of Repair and Maintenance
Overview
The use of drones in the sector of repair and maintenance is revolutionizing the industry, showing considerable efficiency gains, cost savings, and safety improvements. From surveying infrastructure to performing actual repairs, drones are becoming an increasingly common tool in maintenance operations.
The Increased Use of Drones in Maintenance
As the technology develops, drones are becoming a more effective tool in the maintenance industry. According to a PwC report, the market for drones in business operations is expected to reach $127 billion by 2020. Of this, infrastructure accounts for a significant portion, estimated at $45.2 billion. The use of drones in inspection processes shows a distinct increase in efficiency, with some studies claiming that drones can complete inspections approximately 40% faster than traditional methods.
Drone Maintenance and Infrastructure
The use of drones in the maintenance of infrastructure, such as energy lines, wind turbines, and bridges, is becoming increasingly common due to the many benefits they offer. According to a 2017 Goldman Sachs report, spending on drones in the construction industry is projected to reach $11 billion by 2021. Not only do drones allow for rapid and cost-effective inspections, but they also provide unprecedented access to difficult-to-reach areas, reducing the risks associated with manual inspections.
Drones and the Future of Maintenance
As technology continues to develop, drones are poised to play an increasingly significant role in the world of repair and maintenance. According to a report by Markets and Markets, the drone services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.8% from 2020 to 2025. With the ability to operate in hazardous environments and conduct high-definition inspections, drones offer a safer and more efficient approach to maintenance and repair tasks.
Key Takeaways
- Drones are becoming a vital tool in the maintenance and repair industry, with the market for business operations projected to reach $127 billion by 2020.
- Drones in the construction industry are projected to amount to $11 billion in spending by 2021.
- The drone services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.8% from 2020 to 2025.
- The use of drones allows for a safer, faster, and more cost-effective approach to maintenance tasks.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics, a company currently developing innovative software to enhance the safety and reliability of robotics systems. Leveraging technology developed at Caltech, 3Laws is focused on simplifying the certification process, a significant issue for robotics companies.
With 3Laws Supervisor, the company's software offers robust safety features and demonstrable system robustness, easing the path to certification. Built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), 3Laws' software provides mathematically provable safety, making it an appealing solution for a variety of industries and applications, including:
- Warehouse automation, with a customer reporting a 40% efficiency gain and a 6-month payback period.
- Human-robot interaction, enabling safe and uninterrupted operation of robots in close proximity to humans.
- Dynamic environments, where reactive collision avoidance capabilities enable effective navigation.
3Laws focuses on enhancing operational efficiency by minimizing unnecessary downtime caused by e-stops or collisions, allowing robots to operate closer to their peak capabilities while maintaining safety. The software is adaptable and compatible with a broad range of platforms, such as mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, and it is compatible with popular robot middleware like ROS and ROS2.
3Laws Robotics is the next-generation safety solution for the robotic industry, moving beyond traditional e-stop methods to provide a proactive, dynamic safety solution that can be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262. It offers predictive safety that can unlock the full potential of your robotics operation.