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Aquiline Drones (AD) partners with Drone Volt (ALDRV) to advance LineDrone technology for power-line inspection services in the US.
(HARTFORD, CONN) – February 10, 2025 – Aquiline Drones (AD) signs historic licensing agreement with long-time partner Drone Volt SA (ALDRV) to introduce and provide electrical power line inspection services in the United States using the LineDrone – a unique combination of advanced and pioneering technology.
AD, a leading U.S.-based drone technology enterprise, has announced a strategic partnership with Drone Volt to introduce and expand the capabilities of the LineDrone to the US market. Dubbed an engineering marvel, the LineDrone is a specialized unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed in collaboration with Hydro-Québec – Canada’s largest energy producer. This groundbreaking technology is designed to revolutionize the inspection and maintenance of high- voltage power lines, by offering advanced, non-contact measurement solutions.
Hydro-Québec is renowned not only for its extensive hydroelectric power generation but also for its significant investments in research and development, particularly in robotics for power line inspection and maintenance. The company’s research is primarily conducted through its Institute de recherche d’Hydro-Québec (IREQ), established in 1967.
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to control the drones and analyze acquired data – along with other pioneering technologies, Aquiline Drones will introduce and deploy LineDrone inspection services nationwide.
The LineDrone is the only drone – globally, capable of landing on live high-voltage lines (315,000 volts / 2,000 A) to conduct inspections by traversing the power lines using a unique motorized rolling system – LineOhm and LineCore probes, to analyze and document the condition of overhead conductors without having to de-energize the line. The LineDrone is also engineered to perform critical diagnostics on live transmission lines using state-of-the-art sensors to conduct high-precision inspections, including resistance measurements, corrosion assessments, and splice evaluations, without requiring power outages. This innovation significantly reduces operational risks while enhancing grid reliability and efficiency.
By reducing the need for costly helicopter and high-risk manual inspections, the LineDrone represents a safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative for the energy industry. With increasing demand for efficient grid management solutions, this collaborative effort aims to redefine how utility companies monitor and maintain their critical infrastructure.
Aquiline Drones will leverage its extensive expertise in autonomous drone operations and regulatory compliance to help deploy the LineDrone technology for utility companies and infrastructure service providers throughout the US.
“Our collaboration with Drone Volt aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver cutting-edge drone solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability,” said Barry Alexander, Founder and CEO of Aquiline Drones. “By incorporating advanced AI and cloud technology into the LineDrone system, we aim to set a new industry standard for high-voltage power line inspections” Alexander says.
Like AD’s Flight to the Future (F2F) online drone training course – in scope and scale, the LineDrone project aims to train a workforce of professional drone service providers (DSPs) to then participate as professional LineDrone DSPs (LDSPs). The US has 600,000 + miles of transmission lines that move electricity from power plants to cities and towns nationwide.
The following is an overview of F2F: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgd0zD-mcw4
AD aims to expand the distribution of LineDrone services within the US, to provide high-tech job opportunities as LDSPs. Under the agreement AD will provide the following:
- Expanded distribution of LineDrone services across the USA.
- Specialized drone pilot training for operational support to energy sector professionals adopting the technology. AD-trained pilots or drone service providers (DSPs) could then work as AD affiliates – ensuring FAA compliance and integration with evolving U.S. drone regulations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Hul4xensc
- Competitive commercial liability insurance and warranty options to the US drone marketplace, primarily focusing on individuals and entities trained through our Various insurance coverages will be available for purchase through Aquiline Drones Indemnity Corporation (ADIC).
- Contracted opportunities for LDSPs through extended Service Level Agreements (SLAs) held by AD, under contract with industry stakeholders.
Transmission lines require rigorous and routine maintenance, involving inspection processes that are typically less-safe, cumbersome and more restrictive than what can be more easily achieved using an AI drone solution. Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) can now use this much safer LineDrone system to replace having to shut down lines, and can realize significant manpower and equipment savings, often done with the addition of helicopters and linesmen.
“This agreement extends our existing partnership with Aquiline Drones and enables AD to include specific and adapted drones as part of a proven next generation power grid infrastructure inspection system” says Marc Courcelle, CEO of DroneVolt SA. Aquiline Drones is able to provide an entire ecosystem of AI controlled drones, inspection data analysis, FAA pilot training, operating liability insurance and lifetime system support of each client. No other drone provider in the US can offer this broadly encompassing and complete solution.
Aquiline Drones Corporation (AD) is an all-American drone technology company specializing in drone manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), and superior drone pilot training. AD is also self-insured through Aquiline Drones Indemnity Corporation (ADIC). AD’s core management comprises highly experienced aviators, systems engineers, IT gurus, military personnel (including veterans), and business strategists. AD delivers a vertically integrated blend of products and services. AD’s full spectrum of technological solutions is widely applicable across countless industries and environments for superior, real-time data processing and insights. Visit www.AquilineDrones.com for more information.
Photo Courtesy of: Aquiline Drones Corporation
