Sky-Futures Expands Drone Data Analysis With New Software

An English company has announced the release of a UAV software package that will equip industrial clients to “harness the power of drone-driven data collection and analysis.”

According to a company press release, Sky-Futures, a UAV data firm specializing in oil, gas and utility inspections recently launched Expanse, an end-to-end inspection data management bundle.

After 12 months of prototype-testing with select clients, the company reports the package is ready for primetime and will lead to enhanced management of drone-based inspection data with improved data analysis. The software will create “intuitive reports accessible to all stakeholders through the cloud.” Reports can also be rendered into a 3D environment.

“As users of the software ourselves, we knew what the key requirements were to make a solid product. Our own engineers and customers made sure of that,” Sky-Futures CEO James Harrison said.

The company offers a “full enterprise” package that includes a training academy for drone pilots and inspection engineers coupled with a software subscription service. In addition to its traditional client base of oil-and-gas companies, Sky-Futures hopes Expanse will expand its client base in industries such as renewables utilities, telecoms, bridge-engineering and construction.

In June, the company completed what it called the world’s first inspection of a vessel cargo tank via drone. In the past, workers had to enter the tank to inspect it. Partnering with Flyability, Sky-Futures hailed the test as one a hallmark of drone inspection within confined and potentially hazardous industrial spaces.

In January, the company announced the first drone-fueled oil-and-gas inspection for an unnamed drilling company in the Gulf of Mexico. In two days, drone users inspected an oil derrick, helicopter deck and four cranes aboard a drilling ship – a job that would have taken 17 days without a drone.

“Since receiving our FAA Exemption, we have made considerable progress … completing our first onshore contract in September 2015,” Sky-Futures operations VP Jay Forte said.

“We have now established ourselves as the leading drone inspection service provider in the Gulf of Mexico. We have proven that drones can be successfully used for more efficient and safe inspections in the Gulf, just as we have already done across the world.’’