ROBOSURV

Funding

This project is co-financed from the state budget by the Technology agency of the Czech Republic WITHIN the THETA Programme.

Project Details

Project ID: TS02020034

Programme: THÉTA 2 System for automated monitoring and maintenance of solar parks employing artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial platforms.

Time Period: 07/2025 – 06/2028

Abstract

Large industrial facilities such as refineries, quarries, mines, power plants, wind farms or communication towers require constant monitoring and regular inspection to ensure safety and reliability. Traditional inspection methods depend on manual work or single-drone operations, which are often slow, costly and limited in accuracy.

These environments are also highly demanding. Lighting conditions can change rapidly, radio communication may be unstable, and global navigation signals are not always available. Complex structures and wide areas make it difficult to navigate and gather consistent data.

Because of these factors, existing monitoring systems struggle to provide a complete and up-to-date overview of the site. Inspections often lead to operational delays and increased costs, creating the need for a more efficient and autonomous approach.

Solution

The system uses a fleet of autonomous helicopter-type drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR and depth sensors. Each drone navigates independently, using visual odometry and onboard mapping instead of relying on GPS. Communication runs on a resilient mesh network that keeps data flowing even with limited connectivity.

An adaptive mission planner ensures every flight follows a unique, unpredictable route. This randomness makes it impossible to anticipate or bypass inspection paths, while still optimizing flight time and data coverage.

The platform is designed for easy integration with existing security systems through a standardized API and safety protocols for emergency landings or communication loss. The result is a fully autonomous, reliable and secure inspection system for large industrial facilities.

The same technology can also be adapted for active security scenarios, where drones assist in detecting and intercepting unauthorized intrusions. Using onboard AI and real-time image analysis, they can identify suspicious movement, track the intruder, and sound an alarm. This transforms the system from a passive monitoring tool into a dynamic protection network capable of immediate response and threat neutralization.

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