Percepto, a prominent provider of autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions, has recently announced a significant development in its drone operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Percepto a nationwide waiver, allowing the remote operation of a fleet of up to 30 Percepto drones by a single operator. This marks a considerable shift from the previous requirement of one pilot per drone, potentially transforming the landscape of drone automation and remote operations.
Implications for Heavy Industry
This approval is particularly relevant for sectors such as oil & gas, utilities, and other energy-related industries. By enabling large-scale, remote operation of drone fleets, Percepto offers these sectors a way to significantly reduce operational costs and increase efficiency. This development not only makes it more feasible for existing companies to scale up their drone inspection programs but also lowers the entry barrier for companies considering the adoption of drone technology for the first time.
Technological and Regulatory Milestones
Percepto's achievement is the culmination of years of dedicated regulatory efforts, aiming to facilitate safe, nationwide drone operations beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) without on-site human supervision. The waiver also highlights the advanced capabilities of Percepto's drone-in-a-box systems and autonomous inspection software, which are central to this new operational model.
Ariel Avitan, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Percepto, commented on the significance of this advancement, stating, “For years, Percepto has been leading the remote inspection revolution – both on the regulatory and technology fronts. With large-scale remote inspections, we expect a reduction in large-scale safety and environmental failures across critical infrastructure.”
Neta Gliksman, Percepto's VP of Policy and Government Affairs, expressed gratitude towards the FAA, noting the waiver as the "true holy grail" achieved through persistent collaboration. This approval paves the way for more expansive and sophisticated autonomous inspection operations.
Industry Response and Future Outlook
The response from industry leaders has been positive. Ido Biger, Chief Information and Data Officer at Delek US, sees this development as an opportunity for transformative changes in various industries. Delek US plans to leverage this technology to minimize environmental impact and enhance safety.
This FAA approval for Percepto underscores a significant step in the evolution of autonomous drone technology. It not only presents new opportunities for operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also signals a shift towards more sophisticated and large-scale applications of drone technology in critical infrastructure monitoring and inspection. As Percepto and other companies continue to innovate in this space, the potential for drone technology to reshape various industry practices grows ever more apparent.
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