Aetos Wind Turbine Inspection Drone — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Aetos |
|---|---|
| Model | Wind Turbine Inspection Drone |
| Year | 2021 |
| Category | Inspection, Aerial |
| Autonomy | semi-autonomous |
| Environment | outdoor |
| Dimensions | 95cm L × 95cm W × 40cm H |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Remote Control, 4G/LTE |
| Country of origin | GB |
Key features
- Sub-5mm resolution blade imaging
- 30–45 min per turbine inspection
- AI defect classification
- Eliminates rope access risk
- Severity-rated inspection reports
- CAA/EASA certified operations
- Wind farm fleet programme capable
What is it?
Aetos deploys autonomous inspection drones for wind turbine blade condition assessment, capturing close-range high-resolution imagery and producing AI-analysed defect reports without rope access technicians.
Who is it for?
- Wind farm operators managing O&M programmes across large turbine fleets
- Asset managers assessing blade condition for acquisition due diligence or insurance
- O&M contractors planning blade repair campaigns based on condition severity data
- Wind energy developers inspecting newly commissioned turbines before handover
Key specs
- Coverage: sub-5mm resolution per blade face
- Speed: 30–45 minutes per turbine
- Analysis: AI defect classification
- Output: severity-rated inspection report
- Risk: eliminates rope access working-at-height
- Compliance: CAA/EASA drone certified
How it compares
Vs rope access: Drone inspection is 3–5x faster per turbine, eliminates working-at-height injury risk, and produces higher image coverage density. Rope access retains an advantage for complex manual repairs where direct tactile assessment is needed.
Limitations
- Wind conditions above ~10 m/s limit safe drone flight
- AI classification accuracy varies for novel or unusual defect types
- Service model means no in-house capability development for operators
- Regulatory airspace requirements vary by country
FAQ
How much does the Aetos wind turbine inspection service cost?
Aetos provides inspection services rather than selling drones directly. Contact Aetos for service pricing based on turbine count, location, and report deliverables.
What does the Aetos wind turbine inspection service do?
Aetos deploys autonomous drones to inspect wind turbine blades for cracks, erosion, delamination, and surface defects — capturing close-range HD imagery and producing AI-analysed inspection reports without requiring rope access technicians.
What are the key capabilities of the Aetos inspection system?
Aetos drones fly automated blade inspection routes capturing sub-5mm resolution imagery per blade face, with AI defect classification, delivered as a digital inspection report with severity ratings and repair recommendations.
Who uses Aetos wind turbine inspection?
Aetos is designed for wind farm operators, asset managers, and O&M contractors who need cost-effective, rapid turbine blade condition assessment as part of planned maintenance or in response to unexpected damage.
How does drone inspection compare to rope access inspection?
Rope access blade inspection requires technicians to abseil down turbine blades — taking 2–4 hours per turbine. Aetos drone inspection takes 30–45 minutes per turbine, eliminates working-at-height risk, and produces higher image coverage density.