Artificial Intelligence finds damages on wind turbines

Words By: Drone Major

Aero Enterprise is specialized in airborne inspection of damages on wind turbines as well as on other vertical objects, such as dams, chimneys or bridges. For this purpose, the self-developed helicopter drone AERO-SensorCopter acquires high-resolution image data. These image data are converted into a damage report using the proprietary AERO-Software Package.

Since 2017 Aero Enterprise has been offering a comprehensive software package for the analysis, interpretation and digital reporting of damages on wind turbines. In May 2019 the AERO-Software Package has been enhanced with a powerful feature: In a record time of just 6 months, the Aero Enterprise software engineers developed a machine learning tool based on AI (Artificial Intelligence). For this purpose, a total of more than one thousand damage patterns from existing flight operations on wind turbines were marked manually, image by image. Then, the type of damage is determined according to an industry standard classification.

Unlike software that executes user-defined rules to perform tasks, machine learning algorithms are designed to ‘learn’ with increasing input data and to continuously improve. So, the algorithm develops its own rules.

By trying out various algorithms, the computer learns to independently recognize damages on new images on the basis of the existing damage images. This is a great support in the analysis and interpretation by an expert. For example, the computer is able to detect damages with more than 95% accuracy. The sum of all damages is made available to the customer in a digitalized report.

The aim of combining drones and Artificial Intelligence is to automatically analyse a large range
of image data sets of the aerial inspection. The process is objective and with high accuracy.
Even the smallest at first glance ‘inconspicuous’ anomalies can be found very quickly with this software technology. Drones can reach their full potential when data acquisition and data analysis  take place with a high degree of automation. Thus, not only a lot of time is saved in the evaluation of the data, but it also guarantees standardized results by a high degree of objectivity.

About Aero Enterprise

As part of a new and sustainable inspection service, Aero Enterprise is using aerial robots to inspect onshore and offshore wind turbines as well as industrial facilities etc. The high-resolution image data of the inspected objects are recorded with the self-developed AERO-SensorCopter. The helicopter drone has been developed in its latest version specially for the harsh offshore weather and wind conditions. The self-developed AERO-Software Packages, for the evaluation, interpretation and reporting of the acquired data ensures a digital documentation.

Founded in 2013, the start up Aero Enterprise is based in Linz/Austria. The team consists of seven employees who constantly develop the AERO-SensorCopter flight robot and the AERO-Software Package.

Since December 2018 Aero Enterprise is EN ISO 9001:2015 certified. Currently, the first offshore tests are taking place to test the newly developed aerial robot in the North Sea.

About Aero Enterprise

As part of a new and sustainable inspection service, Aero Enterprise is using aerial robots to inspect onshore and offshore wind turbines as well as industrial facilities etc. The high-resolution image data of the inspected objects are recorded with the self-developed AERO-SensorCopter. The helicopter drone has been developed in its latest version specially for the harsh offshore weather and wind conditions. The self-developed AERO-Software Packages, for the evaluation, interpretation and reporting of the acquired data ensures a digital documentation.

Founded in 2013, the start up Aero Enterprise is based in Linz/Austria. The team consists of seven employees who constantly develop the AERO-SensorCopter flight robot and the AERO-Software Package.

Since December 2018 Aero Enterprise is EN ISO 9001:2015 certified. Currently, the first offshore tests are taking place to test the newly developed aerial robot in the North Sea.