Unmanned Systems

• AI / robotics / automation UAV & unmanned systems solutions

• Best practices and case studies for UAV / unmanned systems operations in energy: asset management, infrastructure inspections, remote data collection, high-tech sensor deployment, reducing operational and personnel risks

• Internal, external and hybrid UAV and robotics solutions and best practices

• Real-world robotics (air, ground / surface and subsea) in energy operations: UGV, UUV, AUV and UAV

• Developing and managing an energy company-wide unmanned systems program

• Vetting UAS / UGV platforms, UAV & robotics services for energy- and engineering-specific operations

• Operational considerations for the energy enterprise: codes, standards, certifications and best practices in energy facilities, including training and safety

• UAV and robotics operator training and certifications

• Innovative drone / robotics partnerships: industry / university collaboration, developments and opportunities

• Facility & perimeter security and surveillance with UAVs and robotics

• Corrosion detection and maintenance with unmanned systems

• Business cases for unmanned systems in energy

• Drone detection / deterrence and counter-drone strategies for critical infrastructure

Data / Analytics / AI

• Unmanned systems program management for the enterprise: considerations, costs, data collection, workflows, reporting

• Managing the “data tsunami” and navigating the “data ocean” from unmanned systems data for fast results

• Handling data needs from multiple internal customers / silos

• New methods for analyzing data quickly, efficiently and accurately

• Creating real-time actionable data with unmanned systems

• Planning for data integration with current inspection / maintenance systems and workflows

• Data and cybersecurity from unmanned systems data and analysis

• New tools for digital unmanned data reporting and management

• Data handling & analytics: integrating / harnessing UAV / robotics data and aligning with data captured from existing sources

  • Edge, fog and cloud computing

  • Data visualizations

  • Digital Twins

• AI / ML-enabled data analysis

• Building an AI / ML system for accurate fault / anomaly analysis

• Predictive maintenance and actionable business insights with unmanned and legacy data

• Leveraging and managing large data sets: processing, sharing, storing

• 3D imaging, surveying, mapping: tools & technologies

• Maximizing GIS results with unmanned data

UAV Operations

• Opportunities for scaling up UAVs to increase safety, efficiency and profitability in critical infrastructure environments

• Regulatory and policy updates, current and proposed (federal, state and local)

• Fugitive emissions / methane detection and compliance

• Risk management: legal, privacy, liability and insurance considerations

• Energy UAV systems selection considerations and analysis of available platforms, payloads and systems that work best for energy assets

• Field-testing UAVs: collision avoidance, LiDAR technologies, BVLOS, night ops

• Pilot training, certifications for energy-specific projects with UAVs

• UAVs / UAS for internal inspections and maintenance (boilers, pressure vessels, nuclear, storage tanks / terminals and pipelines)

• UAVs for EH&S and industrial emergency response

• Utilizing UAVs for regulatory compliance 

• Drone detection / deterrence and counter-drone strategies for critical infrastructure

• Operating UAVs in hazardous, critical infrastructure environments

• Energy mapping and surveying specific UAV operations

• Power systems for extended operations

• Long linear inspections (pipelines and transmission lines)

• Ultrasonic inspections with unmanned systems

• BVLOS operations, planning and results

Robotics / Automation

• Robotics Inspection, Maintenance and Cleaning

• No-Man Entry for Confined Spaces/Tank Cleaning & Inspection

• Multi-robotics Operations

• Robotics for Repair

• Facility design for Robotics

• Fabric Maintenance

• Predictive Maintenance with Robotics

• Autonomous Robotic Solutions

• Applied Robotics and Sensors

• Opportunities for scaling up Robotics/UAVs to increase safety, efficiency and profitability in critical infrastructure environments

• Regulatory and policy updates, current and proposed (federal, state and local)

• Fugitive emissions / methane detection and compliance

• Risk management: legal, privacy, liability and insurance considerations

• Energy Robotics & UAV systems selection considerations and analysis of available platforms, payloads and systems that work best for energy assets

• RaaS- Robotics as a Service programs

• Robotics/UAVs for internal inspections and maintenance (boilers, pressure vessels, nuclear, storage tanks / terminals and pipelines)

• Robotics for EH&S and industrial emergency response

• Utilizing Robotics for regulatory compliance

• Power systems for extended operations

• Long linear inspections (pipelines and transmission lines)

• Ultrasonic inspections with unmanned systems

*Presentations / case studies must be non-commercial to be considered by the Industry Advisory Board