Aerial Robots for Contact-Based Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements for Field Inspections

Abstract

Aerial robotic systems, also referred to as drones, enable the collection of data on a scale and scope heretofore unimaginable. Field inspections at industrial sites using an aerial robotic inspection system that makes physical contact with a structure or asset as part of a nondestructive testing (NDT) or nondestructive evaluation (NDE) routine is safer than placing humans at elevation and enables more data to be gathered in less time. These aerial robotic systems are highly extensible and agile enabling safer, faster, and better inspections. Robotic inspection systems are forecast to grow exponentially this decade and beyond, as asset owners and service providers realize their economic value creation, increased data collection, and safety contributions.