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Written by: Maria Zavarce

Contributor: Lukas Wilgosh 

Guide to the Top 2 Confined Space Drones: Scout 137 Drone System and Flybotix ASIO X

November 12, 2024

8 minutes read

In heavy industry, the inspection of confined spaces like tanks, boilers, pipes, and ducts is essential for asset integrity and operational safety. Traditionally, these spaces required human inspectors to navigate cramped, often hazardous conditions, risking exposure to limited oxygen, toxic atmospheres, and structural instability. Confined space drones have transformed this process by providing a non-invasive, highly accurate means of gathering real-time data, improving both safety and efficiency.

 

These drones are built with specific technical features tailored for industrial inspection in GPS-denied environments. Advanced sensors and onboard SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithms enable precise navigation while high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors and bright LEDs help capture essential visual data. Confined space drones streamline inspection by eliminating the need for scaffolding, ventilation setups, and manual entry, saving valuable time and resources.

This guide explains two leading drones in this niche the Scout 137 Drone System and the Flybotix ASIO X, analyzing their technical specifications, performance, and best-use scenarios to help you make an informed decision.

Scout 137 Drone System

Technical Specifications
  • Dimensions: 613mm × 382mm × 303mm (L×W×H)
  • Weight: 3.2 kg
  • Camera Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) @ 30 fps
  • Lighting Intensity: Over 10,000 lumens
  • Gimbal: 2-axis stabilized; ±90° pitch
  • Power Source: Tethered with unlimited flight time
  • Navigation: 3D LiDAR for SLAM-based mapping and positioning
  • Tether Length: 40 meters, optimized for confined spaces
  • Data Management: Cloud-based Scout Portal with SLAM-enabled 3D point cloud mapping.

Unlimited Tethered Power

The Scout 137’s tethered system provides continuous power, removing the typical flight time limitations of battery-operated drones. The tether’s high cut resistance and flame-retardant, halogen-free coating enhance durability, especially when the drone maneuvers around sharp edges or metal beams. This tether is a critical advantage for extensive inspections, as it allows uninterrupted operation and direct, stable data transmission.

Advanced SLAM & 3D LiDAR Mapping

Equipped with a high-resolution 3D LiDAR, the Scout 137 generates SLAM-based maps of its environment, enabling it to autonomously stabilize and position itself in low-light, GPS-denied spaces. This mapping supports real-time location tagging of inspection data, a major benefit for inspecting complex structures where precision is paramount.

Lighting and Stabilized Camera

The Scout 137 drone is purpose-built for confined space inspections, offering a powerful combination of lighting and a stabilized 4K camera for detailed visual data. Its gimbal-stabilized camera ensures steady footage, while onboard LEDs provide exceptional illumination in low-light environments. These features make the Scout 137 an indispensable tool for industrial inspections in hazardous spaces, enabling accurate data collection, live Full HD streaming, and seamless cloud-based management via the Scout Portal.

Cloud-Based Data Platform: Scout Portal

The Scout Portal supports live data streaming, 3D mapping, and post-inspection review. By leveraging SLAM data, users can create a 3D point cloud of the inspection site, providing a digital record that can be annotated and customized with points of interest (POIs). The platform also supports data upload from other inspection tools, enabling a unified inspection dataset.

Flybotix ASIO X

Technical Specifications
  • Dimensions: Compact, enclosed twin-rotor design
  • Weight: Lightweight (under 2 kg)
  • Camera Resolution: Full HD video streaming
  • Lighting: Industry-leading 40K lumens for powerful visibility
  • Flight Time: 20 minutes (untethered)
  • Navigation: Acoustic positioning for GPS-denied environments, with gyro-stabilization
  • Power Source: Battery-operated
  • Propulsion: Coaxial dual-rotor propulsion system for enhanced stability

Coaxial Rotor System for Stability and Agility 

The ASIO X features a unique coaxial dual-rotor design, which reduces rotor drag and enhances stability in confined, often turbulent spaces. This design minimizes the need for multiple propellers, enabling more compact dimensions and making it easier to navigate tight spaces and complex geometries. This rotor configuration also allows quieter operation, reducing noise in enclosed spaces.

Battery-Operated Flexibility

Unlike the Scout 135’s tethered setup, the ASIO X relies on a high-density battery for power, offering a maximum flight time of 20 minutes per charge. This battery configuration provides greater maneuverability in spaces where tethers may be challenging to manage. The ASIO X’s battery system is ideal for quick, localized inspections that require agility over prolonged operation.

Acoustic Positioning for GPS-Denied Navigation

Specifically designed for GPS-deprived environments, this technology uses acoustic signals to deliver precise navigation and stability, even in the most challenging conditions. Ideal for industrial tanks, pipelines, and wind turbine blades, the ASIO X pairs this innovation with a robust LiDAR and sensor suite to ensure safe, efficient, and highly accurate inspections.

Compact Design and Protective Frame

Designed for maximum portability, the ASIO X’s protective frame allows it to bounce off obstacles without damage, maintaining operational integrity even in challenging environments. This feature enhances its robustness, especially in environments with pipes, beams, and obstructions. This compact build also makes the ASIO X highly maneuverable, ideal for smaller spaces where larger drones cannot operate effectively.

Comparative Analysis
Feature Scout 137 Drone System Flybotix ASIO X
Flight Duration Unlimited (tethered power). 20 minutes (battery-powered).
Navigation & Positioning Uses 3D LiDAR with SLAM for mapping and obstacle detection. LiDAR for 3D mapping in GPS-denied spaces.
Camera 4K camera with adjustable gimbal. Full HD and thermal cameras.
Lighting 10,000+ lumens. 40,000 lumen output for exceptional visibility.
Data Transmission Tethered data link with live streaming. Wireless 2.4GHz/5GHz link; Flybotix Cloud compatible.
Tether Length 40 meters, durable and visible tether. Not applicable (untethered).
Ground Station Provides power, tether connection, and data relay. Portable control unit without a ground station.
Gas Detection Payload Gas sensor detects most common flammable gases and vapors Sensors for CH4, H2S, O2, and CO gas detection.
LiDAR Mapping System LiDAR with SLAM for real-time mapping. LiDAR for 3D mapping and localization.
Operational Flexibility Continuous inspection, no battery limits (tethered). Flexible battery-powered, requires recharging.
Inspection Data Management Scout Portal for data management and reporting. Flybotix Cloud for data storage and analytics.
Safety Enhancements Redundant systems, safe for hazardous sites. Compact, untethered design with gas sensors for safety.
Target Industries Oil & Gas, Infrastructure, Power, Marine, Chemical. Chemical, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing.
Environmental Ratings IP54 dust and splash resistant. IP55 rated for dust and moisture resistance.
Dimensions 613 mm x 382 mm x 303 mm. 395 mm x 395 mm x 170 mm.
Weight 3.2 kg. 1.3 kg.

Which Drone is Right for Your Needs?

Scout 137 Drone System is best suited for long, detailed inspections in complex or large confined spaces. The tethered power allows for uninterrupted operation, and the 3D LiDAR and SLAM mapping make it ideal for capturing detailed structural data, creating 3D maps, and marking specific points of interest.

 

Flybotix ASIO X is ideal for quick inspections in compact areas where maneuverability is key. Its coaxial rotor design allows it to easily navigate confined spaces and bounce off obstacles without significant damage, making it a great choice for routine inspections.

 

Both drones are powerful tools for confined space inspection, each designed to meet specific operational needs in industrial environments. The Scout 137 drone system excels in data richness and endurance, while the Flybotix ASIO X brings agility and compactness to areas otherwise unreachable.

Get in Touch

Give us a call or drop by anytime, we will answer all enquiries within 24 hours on business days. We will be happy to answer your questions.

About the Author

Maria Zavarce, Marketing Coordinator at Measur, brings over two years of specialized experience in the drones and robotics industry. Combining her knowledge of emerging technologies with 8+ years of inbound marketing and SEO, she provides actionable insights into the transformative power of advanced solutions.

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• Data Output: 16-bit digital raw data in SEGY format.
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Summary: Comparing the GPR Systems

Feature Zond Aero 1000 Zond Aero 500 Zond Aero LF
Center Frequency 1000 MHz 500 MHz 100, 150, 300 MHz
Max Depth 2 meters 4 meters Up to 12 meters
Weight (Airborne) 1.8 kg 2.1 kg 0.1 kg – 300MHz antenna
Drone Compatibility DJI M350 RTK, M300 RTK, and more DJI M350 RTK, M300 RTK, and more DJI M350 RTK, M300 RTK, and more
Data Format SEGY (.sgy) SEGY (.sgy) SEGY (.sgy)
Best For Shallow, high-res surveys Mid-depth, versatile surveys Deep surveys, geological applications

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