Revolutionising industrial inspections: Applus+ in Australia partnership with Trendspek
Applus+ in Australia has partnered with Trendspek to transform the way critical infrastructure assets are inspected and managed. Through the integration of remote drone inspections, high-resolution 3D digital modelling, and AI-powered defect detection, Applus+ has drastically improved inspection efficiency, safety, and accuracy. By replacing traditional, labour-intensive inspection methodologies with advanced digital techniques, Applus+ has enabled clients to shift from reactive maintenance to proactive, data-driven asset integrity strategies. This approach reduces costs, minimizes downtime, and enhances operational confidence across Australia’s resource, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
New approach to inspecting critical industrial assets
The scope of this project involved transforming how large-scale, high-risk industrial assets are inspected, particularly in sectors where traditional inspections often expose personnel to danger or require lengthy asset shutdowns. The key challenges included mitigating risks to inspectors, reducing costly downtime associated with physical inspections, overcoming inconsistent data capture due to subjective reporting, and improving accessibility for inspection specialists.
Applus+ addressed these challenges by deploying drone-based inspection data capture combined with Trendspek’s cutting-edge 3D digital twin platform. This integration allowed for fully interactive virtual walkthroughs of client assets, enriched with AI-driven defect detection that provided standardised, reliable, and repeatable reporting.
Personnel involved in the project included advanced non-destructive testing (ANDT) specialists, API-certified inspectors, mechanical integrity engineers, and digital inspection technicians skilled in 3D model interpretation and data analysis.
Unlike previous inspection projects, this initiative bridged the gap between inspection execution and operational decision-making, allowing senior engineers and stakeholders to engage remotely in real-time assessments. With extensive experience delivering remote inspection programs on offshore platforms, LNG plants, and mining operations, Applus+ continues to provide industry-leading digital inspection solutions tailored to high-consequence sectors.
Enhancing inspection capabilities with digital tools and drone technology
As part of this initiative, Applus+ delivered a comprehensive remote inspection service that leveraged the Trendspek platform to facilitate drone-based asset capture, real-time digital visualisation, and artificial intelligence-driven defect detection.
Applus+ significantly accelerated inspection cycles, enhanced defect identification, and provided clients with interactive 3D representations of their assets, including clear visual markers of potential risk areas.
Applus+ also integrated Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodologies and mechanical integrity strategies into this framework, allowing clients to prioritise inspections based on asset criticality and operational impact.
In addition to this project, Applus+ continues to offer a full suite of advanced inspection solutions for high-risk industries. These include:
- Advanced non-destructive testing (ANDT)
- Mechanical integrity programs (MIP)
- RBI planning and execution
- API inspection services (API 510, 570, 653)
- Corrosion mapping and defect tracking
This comprehensive approach ensures that Applus+ clients benefit from reliable, accurate, and efficient integrity assessments tailored to operational needs.
Supporting evolving industry demands with customised inspection services
Applus+ has customised the deployment of remote inspections to suit the specific challenges of energy, resources, and infrastructure clients, enabling greater efficiency, improved risk mitigation, and better-informed decision-making.
Feedback from stakeholders has highlighted the exceptional value of interactive 3D asset models, particularly in facilitating collaborative reviews and long-term maintenance planning. By reducing reliance on subjective manual reporting and enhancing safety through reduced site exposure, Applus+ is setting new benchmarks for inspection excellence.
With a strong legacy of delivering inspection solutions to major operators across Australia, Applus+ continues to pioneer digital transformation initiatives for safer, smarter, and more effective asset management.
