DronesHub has completed a six-month pilot project using autonomous rovers to monitor oil and gas chemical equipment at one of Perm's largest enterprises. From October 2024 to April 2025, the Frame Patrol robotic platform was successfully used for remote patrolling, infrastructure inspection, and real-time data transmission.
The key objective of the project was to test the system's stability in challenging conditions: high density of metal structures, areas with limited GPS navigation, and exposure to electronic warfare. Initially, positioning was provided by satellite navigation with an accuracy of up to 50 cm, but after integrating the RTK station, the accuracy increased to 2-3 mm. For autonomous movement in areas with radio interference, the developers additionally implemented lidar navigation, which was not originally planned.
The results of the pilot project demonstrated the high efficiency and demand for such a solution for enterprises not only in the petrochemical industry but also in other sectors. Many of the developments made in the pilot will serve as the basis for further improvement of the technical solution of the inspection rover and various modifications.
The Frame Patrol rover can carry up to 150 kg of equipment (gas analyzers, manipulators) and reach a speed of 20 km/h. Following the tests, the company plans to refine the platform to scale the technology.
Today, DronesHub produces more than ten rover models for industrial inspection, patrolling, and transportation of goods weighing from 50 to 800 kg. The company has completely proprietary designs for the entire model range of rovers, its own design, circuitry, onboard and server software.
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