Voliro, a cutting-edge aerial robotics startup, is redefining the way industrial inspections are conducted. The company’s flagship product, the Voliro T, is a drone-based robotic system designed to perform precise, contact-based inspections of tall and hard-to-reach structures—assets like storage tanks, chimneys, transmission towers, and wind turbines.
In industries where safety risks and downtime costs are high, Voliro’s technology offers a game-changing alternative to traditional inspection methods.
The Voliro T – Engineering Excellence in the Sky
Unlike conventional inspection drones, the Voliro T is equipped with six swappable payloads, each featuring specialized sensors for different inspection tasks, including:
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Ultrasonic thickness measurement
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Eddy current testing
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Magnetic particle inspection
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Visual and thermal imaging
Key Features:
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Tiltable Rotors: Allow the drone to remain stable and in contact with vertical or inclined surfaces, even in challenging environments.
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Autonomous & AI-Assisted Modes: Reduce operator workload and improve data consistency.
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Rapid Deployment: 2.5× faster than traditional rope access or scaffold-based inspections.
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Safety First: Eliminates the need for human workers to enter hazardous zones.
Applications Across Industries
Voliro drones have proven invaluable in:
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Mining Operations: Inspecting processing plants and ventilation shafts.
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Power Generation: Assessing turbine blades, chimneys, and boilers.
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Oil & Gas: Checking the integrity of large storage tanks and offshore rigs.
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Infrastructure: Examining bridges, dams, and transmission towers.
Part of the “Drones for Safety” Meta Trend
The global shift toward robotics in safety-critical environments is accelerating. Drones are particularly well-suited for:
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Hazardous inspections at height
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Confined space analysis
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Emergency response and disaster assessment
For instance:
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Lucid Bots: Window-cleaning drones for high-rise buildings (up to 300 sq. ft./minute).
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Shield AI: Combat-ready indoor drones for military reconnaissance.
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BRINC: Public safety drones deployed in 400+ agencies with thermal imaging and communication systems.
Chinese Drone Innovators – Market Comparison
| Company | Flagship Product | Specialization | Speed Advantage vs. Manual | Target Industries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voliro (Switzerland) | Voliro T | Contact-based industrial inspection | 2.5× faster | Energy, Mining, Oil & Gas, Infrastructure |
| DJI (China) | Matrice 350 RTK | Multi-sensor aerial inspections | 2× faster | Infrastructure, Agriculture, Security |
| EHANG (China) | Falcon Inspection Drone | Autonomous infrastructure surveys | 2.2× faster | Urban Infrastructure, Power Grid |
| JOUAV (China) | CW-25E VTOL | Long-endurance mapping & inspection | 3× faster | Mapping, Border Patrol, Energy |
FAQs
Q1: What makes Voliro T different from traditional drones?
A: Its tiltable rotors and contact-based inspection capability set it apart, enabling tasks like ultrasonic thickness measurement without requiring scaffolding or rope access.
Q2: How much faster is Voliro’s inspection process?
A: On average, 2.5× faster than traditional methods, significantly reducing downtime.
Q3: Can Voliro drones operate in GPS-denied environments?
A: Yes. AI-assisted navigation allows operation indoors or in confined spaces without GPS signals.
Q4: Does Voliro only serve the energy sector?
A: No. The technology is applicable to infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, and even emergency response.
Conclusion & Outlook
Voliro has already raised $22M to accelerate its technology and expand its market reach. As global industries push for safer, faster, and more cost-effective inspection solutions, aerial robotics is set to become standard practice—and Voliro is positioning itself as a leader in the Drones for Safety movement.
With innovations like the Voliro T, the days of sending workers into risky, high-altitude, or confined environments may soon be a thing of the past.