company
Groupe-E
industry
energy supply
country
Switzerland
cost savings
60% per inspection
Why does Groupe-E use inspection drones?
Groupe E operates extensive hydroelectric power plants in the Swiss Alps. After a severe storm, the interior walls of a specific pressure pipe (penstock) had to be urgently inspected for damage to the protective coating.
Previous methods required the use of five skilled workers, special sleds, and complex rope safety systems. This process was not only labor-intensive and expensive, but also exposed employees to considerable risks due to oxygen deprivation and the danger of falling. The goal was to digitize the inspection process, maximize safety, and significantly reduce plant downtime.
What challenges had to be overcome?
- Extreme geometry: a pipe diameter of only 1.2 meters with an incline of over 30°.
- Difficult access: The access shaft (DN450) was partially blocked by a high-voltage cable.
- Long distance: The area to be inspected was located more than 170 meters deep inside the facility.
- Darkness and turbulence: Complete darkness and difficult aerodynamics inside the narrow tube made conventional drone flights impossible.
The challenge was to find a solution that could be deployed despite the blockage in the shaft and deliver high-resolution data without requiring personnel to physically enter the shaft.
What is the solution with ASIO X?
Groupe E chose the ASIO X because it was specially developed for such confined spaces. The inspection was carried out by a small team in just a fraction of the usual time.
Flexible start under difficult conditions
Despite the obstructive high-voltage cable in the DN450 shaft, the ASIO X could be inserted sideways and started directly in the pipe thanks to its compact design—without scaffolding or cranes.
Stable navigation thanks to Tube Lock
Thanks to the integrated flight assistance (Tube Lock), the drone automatically centered itself in the middle of the 1.2-meter tube. Even at a 30° incline, the system maintained a constant distance from the floor and ceiling, allowing the pilot to concentrate fully on the visual inspection.
Illumination with 40,000 lumens
The onboard lighting system made external light sources unnecessary. The enormous light output made it possible to identify the finest cracks and irregularities in the coating on the 4K images.
Real-time evaluation and digital twin
The inspector was able to view the images in real time via a live monitor. The resulting data was processed into a 3D point cloud, which serves as a precise digital reference for all future inspections.
Why the ASIO X was suitable for this application
Compact protective cage
Enables collisions without crashing and starting in narrow shafts (DN450).
Tube Lock & Height Lock
Guarantees stable flight attitude in inclined tubes without GPS signal.
40,000 lumens of illumination
Replaces complex external lighting structures in complete darkness.
Long range
Enabled inspection of damaged areas 170 meters away in a single 12-minute flight.
results
60% lower costs per inspection Instead of over 10 man-days (5 people over several days), the entire mission, including preparation, was completed in half a day by just three people.
Increased occupational safety Dangerous access to steep, slippery pressure pipes is completely eliminated. The risk to personnel has been reduced to zero.
Massive time savings The actual flight time required to locate the damaged areas was only 12 minutes. The plant was able to be put back into operation much more quickly.
Complete digital documentation Thanks to 4K video and 3D data, the results can be compared objectively, which greatly improves Groupe E's long-term maintenance planning.
Experience ASIO X in action
Book a drone demonstration
Integration of drones into industrial inspection processes
The example of Groupe E shows that ASIO X is not just a gadget, but an economic tool. Where days of preparation and high security risks were once necessary, drone technology now delivers more accurate data in minutes at 60% lower cost.
