Addressing hidden inspection challenges with Elios 3’s radiometric thermal imaging

Addressing hidden inspection challenges with Elios 3’s radiometric thermal imaging

In many industries, from energy to oil and gas to construction, the assets we rely on are exposed to extreme conditions that can result in hidden issues. These issues—such as undetected overheating, insulation gaps, or early signs of equipment failure—are often difficult to identify with traditional inspection methods. This can lead to unexpected downtime, costly repairs, and safety hazards. At Sutro Group, we’re committed to tackling these challenges, and our latest solution, the Elios 3 drone with radiometric thermal imaging, is here to help.

Hidden issues that could lead to expensive failures

The most costly and dangerous problems often remain undetected until they escalate into critical failures. Overheating electrical systems or machinery components can cause fires or malfunctions, but these issues often go unnoticed during routine inspections unless they’re caught early. Likewise, insulation gaps and temperature irregularities in pipes or tanks can lead to inefficiencies, leaks, or catastrophic failures if left unchecked.

In industries where equipment is located in confined or hazardous spaces, the cost and risk of inspecting and maintaining these assets can be high. Traditional methods may require costly shutdowns or unsafe manual inspections, but thermal imaging technology provides a much safer and more cost-effective alternative by allowing us to detect hidden issues before they become major problems.

How Elios 3’s thermal imaging technology solves the problem

The Elios 3’s latest firmware update brings a game-changing radiometric thermal imaging feature. This technology allows us to detect temperature anomalies and hidden issues in real-time, with pixel-level temperature data. The drone’s thermal camera can identify hotspots, insulation gaps, and early signs of failure—issues that could easily be missed with visual inspections alone.

With a resolution of 160 x 120 and a field of view of 56° x 42°, the Elios 3 provides a clear view of thermal patterns that reveal overheating or inefficiencies. The high level of accuracy (±5ºC or ±5%) and the ability to detect small temperature changes (thermal sensitivity ≤50 mK) means we can confidently pinpoint discrepancies and address problems before they escalate.

How this benefits you

This advanced thermal imaging capability offers multiple benefits to our clients:

• Early problem detection
  By identifying overheating, insulation gaps, and other issues early, we help you avoid costly downtime and repairs. We catch problems before they escalate, keeping your operations running smoothly.
• Enhanced safety
  In hazardous environments, drones allow us to conduct inspections safely, eliminating the need for risky manual inspections. This reduces the risk of injury while providing accurate data from hard-to-reach or confined spaces.
• Improved operational efficiency
  Thermal imaging reveals inefficiencies in energy use, insulation, and equipment function, enabling you to optimise operations and reduce costs by addressing issues early.
• Comprehensive data for informed decisions
  High-resolution thermal data combined with the ability to post-process this information provides deep insights into asset health, improving maintenance scheduling, budgeting, and overall asset management.

How Sutro Group can help

At Sutro Group, we’re committed to providing tailored solutions to the unique challenges our clients face. With our expertise in drone inspections and the cutting-edge Elios 3 thermal imaging technology, we’re ready to help you identify and resolve potential problems before they lead to expensive failures.

As the UAV Operations Manager, I have the knowledge and experience to seamlessly integrate Elios 3 inspections into your existing workflows. Whether you manage critical infrastructure, complex energy systems, or industrial facilities, we provide the insights needed to ensure your operations are safe and efficient.

Next steps

If you’re facing hidden inspection challenges and want to take advantage of the latest thermal imaging technology to improve your asset management, get in touch with Sutro Group today. We can provide you with a solution that enhances operational efficiency, improves safety, and ensures the reliability of your assets.

Let’s make sure you stay ahead of potential issues before they turn into costly problems.