Firmatek Integrates ACSL SOTEN Drone for Utility Inspections, Addressing Regulatory Concerns

Firmatek, a leader in utility infrastructure inspections, has integrated the ACSL SOTEN drone into its operations to meet growing regulatory and security requirements for critical infrastructure inspections. This move comes as American utilities seek NDAA-compliant drone solutions that prioritize efficiency and innovation.

Shifting Landscape of Utility Drone Solutions

The drone industry is facing increasing pressure to address data security concerns while advancing data processing and analytics capabilities. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) restricts U.S. government agencies from using drones made by certain foreign manufacturers, particularly Chinese companies, citing national security concerns.

Eric Bitzko, SVP of Electric Utilities at Firmatek, stated: “Working with the ACSL team has been a collaborative process, and thanks to their responsive feedback loop, the gap between the SOTEN and Chinese-made solutions is continually getting smaller and smaller.”

ACSL SOTEN Drone Implementation

Firmatek’s strategy for integrating the ACSL SOTEN drone involved several key steps:

1. Training and Certification: Operators were fully trained and certified to use the SOTEN drone, with field training provided by the ACSL team.
2. Workflow Optimization: The SOTEN drone seamlessly integrated into Firmatek’s existing workflows, eliminating the need for major adjustments to standard operating procedures.

Case Study: Arizona Utility Inspection

Firmatek successfully used the SOTEN drone for a utility customer in Arizona, USA. The inspection of critical infrastructure was conducted in challenging conditions:

• High desert, mountainous terrain
• Difficult access from roads
• Light snow and wind gusts reaching up to 35 mph

Despite these challenges, the SOTEN drone achieved high efficiency:

• 318 poles inspected per day
• 80% of the average inspection output of non-compliant alternatives in similar conditions

Future Developments

Firmatek and ACSL are collaborating to enhance the SOTEN’s performance and operational efficiency for inspection workflows. Future advancements being explored include:

• Implementation of further improvements to connectivity
• Additional payloads
• Exploring AI and machine learning capabilities onboard the drone

DroneXL’s Take

The integration of NDAA-compliant drones like the ACSL SOTEN into utility inspection operations represents a significant trend in the drone industry. As we’ve seen in recent data security articles on DroneXL, the focus on secure, compliant drone solutions is becoming increasingly important, especially for critical infrastructure inspections.

Firmatek’s success with the SOTEN drone in challenging conditions demonstrates that NDAA-compliant alternatives can maintain high operational output while addressing regulatory concerns. This development aligns with the industry’s push towards more secure and efficient drone operations, a topic we’ve been following closely at DroneXL.

Learn more about the NDAA-compliant drones from ACSL.

Photo courtesy of ACSL