Applus+ has successfully completed a pilot project together with Fuvex, a Spanish drone technology startup, for a leading client in the Spanish electricity sector. The goal was to evaluate the use of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones for the inspection of electrical infrastructure. The collaboration was facilitated by Applus+ Ventures, our corporate venturing unit.
The collaboration follows an extensive startups scouting effort during 2024, where Applus+ Ventures and Applus Business Units analysed several BVLOS drone companies and use cases in several markets, including Power, Infrastructure, Renewables and Oil & Gas.
Carlos Matilla, CEO of Fuvex, noted: “Partnering with Applus+ allows us to demonstrate how long-range drone technology can transform the way critical infrastructure is monitored. This pilot marks an important step in proving that BVLOS operations are not only viable, but essential for safer and more efficient inspections at scale. We also see that the market opportunity is very relevant, the annual investment in electrical grids globally until 2030 is near 400 Billion €, expanding and refurbishing the +80km of electrical grid to the double by 2050.”
BVLOS drones offer the advantage of covering longer distances than traditional drones, potentially reducing inspection times and improving data quality in asset monitoring.
Raul Arrogante, Head of the Advanced Aerial Inspection Techniques Department at Applus+ Norcontrol, stated: “We are proud of how Fuvex's technology met both the technical and strategic needs of our business units. These drones are setting a new standard for smart infrastructure inspection at scale.”
Applus+ Ventures, the corporate venturing initiative launched by Applus+ in 2021, plays a very important role in scouting and integrating external innovation that aligns with the Group’s mission of delivering smarter and more sustainable services. Applus+ Ventures leads among other initiatives the Annual Pilots Program as part of its innovation strategy. The program is designed to explore and test solutions to business challenges by scouting technologies, partners and innovative approaches. Each year, it drives several projects in close coordination with the company’s business units.
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