Elios 3 - Thermal Payload
The Elios 3 - Thermal Payload is a collision-tolerant indoor inspection drone manufactured by Flyability, designed for confined space and hard-to-reach environment inspections. It combines a 4K camera with integrated thermal imaging, LiDAR-based SLAM mapping, and a modular payload bay. The system is piloted by a human operator via ground control station and is deployed across approximately 68 countries.
Overview and Use Cases
The Elios 3 - Thermal Payload is an indoor inspection drone manufactured by Flyability. It is designed for inspections in confined spaces and hard-to-reach environments where traditional inspection methods are impractical or unsafe. The platform operates as a teleoperated system, with a human operator controlling the drone via a ground control station. Flyability provides stabilization and collision tolerance to assist pilot control, but the system does not perform autonomous inspections.
Key Capabilities
- Imaging and Sensing: 4K 12-megapixel camera with integrated thermal imaging capability; camera pod tilt range of -90° to +90°
- Mapping and Navigation: LiDAR-based SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) designated FlyAware™
- Payload Modularity: Modular payload bay supporting multiple add-ons including LiDAR, thermal imaging, ultrasonic thickness (UT) measurement, and flammable gas sensing
- Collision Tolerance: Designed to withstand collisions in confined spaces, reducing operational risk
- Extended Operations: Tether Power Unit available for continuous power operations during extended missions
Specifications
Battery (Standard Configuration)
- Capacity: 99.2 Wh, 4350 mAh
- Nominal voltage: 22.8 V
- Cycle lifetime: 300 cycles
- Operating temperature range: 10–40°C
Flight Time
- Standard battery with Rev 6 LiDAR: approximately 9 minutes 10 seconds
- High-capacity battery with Rev 6 LiDAR: approximately 13 minutes 30 seconds (up to 50% increase over standard battery)
Applications
The UT (ultrasonic thickness) payload, developed in collaboration with Cygnus Instruments, transforms the Elios 3 into a flying ultrasonic thickness (UTM) gauge for steel thickness measurement applications. This payload enables rapid assessment of material integrity in structural inspections. The thermal payload supports thermal anomaly detection in confined environments. The integrated gas sensor payload addresses hazardous atmosphere detection in confined spaces.
Manufacturer
The Elios 3 - Thermal Payload is manufactured by Flyability, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The platform is deployed across approximately 68 countries. Pricing ranges from approximately $50,000–$70,000 USD depending on configuration and selected payloads.
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