Industrial inspection is a key link in preventive maintenance. It helps anticipate failures, secure infrastructures and guarantee business continuity. But in some environments, access to the areas to be inspected can be complex, costly and dangerous. It's against this backdrop that drone inspection has emerged in recent years as a high-performance, cost-effective and safe alternative.
Thanks to significant technological advances, professional drones can be used to rapidly inspect areas that were previously difficult to access, while limiting human risks and business downtime. This article provides an overview of the drone inspection solutions available on the market, criteria for choosing the right equipment, and a focus on Multinnov'sStereo2 solution, which is redefining standards in confined spaces.
Why use drone inspection?
A response to severe constraints
Traditional inspection of structures such as bridges, tanks, power plants, pipelines or pylons often involves :
- expensive scaffolding,
- nacelles or specialized rope access technicians,
- long business interruptions,
- high risks for operators.
The drone reduces these constraints. Flying close to areas of interest, it captures HD images and videos, detects anomalies (cracks, corrosion, leaks) and delivers detailed visual reports. The operation is faster, more economical and without endangering personnel.
Multiple benefits
- Increased safety: no need to send technicians into high-risk areas.
- Lower costs: fewer logistics, fewer production stoppages.
- Time-saving: rapid inspection, minimum mobilization.
- Data quality: 4K cameras, LED lighting, optical stabilization, thermal imaging or LiDAR for certain models.
- Traceability: data can be archived, analyzed and compared over time.
The drone is no longer a gadget, but a strategic tool for industrial maintenance.
Overview of solutions available on the market
The current market offers a wide range of solutions, segmented according to the environment of use: outdoor, indoor, confined, with or without contact, etc. Here's an overview of the most relevant solutions.
Professional multi-rotor drones
Multirotors are the most versatile. They can inspect vertical structures, roofs, pylons or facades. Examples:
- DJI Matrice 300 RTK: multi-purpose drone with thermal cameras, LiDAR, gas sensors, etc.
- Skydio X2: autonomous drone, navigation by artificial vision, ideal for complex environments.
- Cyberhawk or AeroVironment: complete solutions with drones, AI analysis and secure cloud.
These drones are mainly used outdoors for inspections of power lines, pipelines, engineering structures or open-air industrial sites.
Indoor drones for confined spaces
A specific market has developed for drones in confined environments (tanks, chimneys, tunnels, technical ducts, etc.).
- Flyability Elios 3: spherical cage drone, 4K camera, LiDAR, ideal for tight spaces.
- Asio X (Donecle): autonomous inspection with SLAM and automated fault detection.
- Stereo2 (Multinnov): French drone specifically designed for indoor industrial inspections.
These drones are unique in that they can fly without GPS, in the dark, with optical stabilization, powerful LED lighting and real-time video feedback.
Fixed-wing UAVs or VTOLs
Less commonly used for detail inspection, fixed-wing UAVs (or VTOL hybrids) are useful for :
- large surfaces (photovoltaic parks, pipelines),
- mapping missions,
- rural or inaccessible areas.
They fly further and faster, but don't offer the precision of multirotors for close-up inspection.
How do you choose the right solution for your needs?
Every industrial environment is unique. The choice of drone must take many parameters into account:
Type of environment
- Confined environment → Indoor drone with protective cage, GPS-free navigation, like Stereo2 or Elios 3.
- Open environment → Multirotor with stabilization, optical zoom, thermography, GPS telemetry.
- Explosive or ATEX sites → Check equipment safety certifications.
The sensors you need
- Stabilized 4K camera: indispensable for reading plates, welds or fine defects.
- Thermography: useful for detecting leaks, energy losses and overheating.
- LiDAR / SLAM: for 3D mapping and inspection of tunnels and pipelines.
- Gas sensors: for petrochemicals or toxic confined spaces.
Operational constraints
- Autonomy: 10 to 30 min depending on the drone.
- Handling: indoors, a compact, stable and responsive drone is essential.
- Training / Support: access to technical assistance or drone training can make all the difference.
The budget
Some companies choose topurchase their own drone, while others prefer to outsource inspection via service providers. The return on investment is often very rapid, thanks to reduced downtime and logistical costs.
The case of Multinnov's Stereo2: a drone made for industry
Designed and manufactured in France Stereo2 is an inspection drone specifically designed for complex industrial environments. It is distinguished by :
- Its compactness: 40 cm diameter, stabilized flight in tight spaces.
- Video performance: 4K camera, powerful LED light (up to 10,000 lumens).
- Navigation technology: stereoscopic vision stabilization (no GPS required).
- Its robustness: collision protection, shielded electronic components.
The Stereo2 is ideal for inspecting :
- industrial chimneys,
- silos,
- sanitation networks,
- tunnels,
- high steel structures.
Modular accessories
The drone can be fitted with various accessories, depending on requirements: transparent dome, reinforced protective structure, secondary lighting or support for third-party sensors.
Comprehensive support
Multinnov offers :
- direct sales or rental of drones,
- user training (pilots and analysts),
- a responsive after-sales service based in France.
This technical proximity makes Multinnov a recognized player inautomated visual inspection made in France.
Faced with growing demands for safety, speed and economy in industrial sectors, inspection drones have established themselves as a modern, high-performance solution. The solutions on the market are numerous and rapidly evolving, driven by innovations in on-board vision, AI, autonomy and robustness.
For confined, indoor or complex environments, Multinnov'sStereo2 solution embodies a quality offering, designed to meet the realities of the field. Versatile, compact, high-performance and backed by local customer service, this drone represents a credible alternative to foreign leaders, while promoting French innovation.
Drone inspection is no longer an option: it's tomorrow's industry standard.
