Drone Volt acquires Azur Drones and expands grid inspection technology

French drone manufacturer Drone Volt has acquired Azur Drones following the latter's judicial reorganization. The acquisition, finalized at the Bordeaux Commercial Court for 160,000 euros, includes the retention of approximately 15 employees. Through this deal, Drone Volt gains access to the ‘Skeyetech’, an autonomous ‘drone-in-a-box’ system used by clients such as TotalEnergies and Amazon for surveillance and inspection.

Separately, Drone Volt is highlighting its LineDrone technology, which is designed for the inspection and maintenance of high-voltage electrical networks. Developed in collaboration with Hydro-Québec, the LineDrone is described as the only drone capable of landing on energized power lines up to 765 kV.

The technology allows for the measurement of conductor corrosion and the condition of fittings to facilitate predictive maintenance. The LineDrone is currently utilized by network operators including RTE and Hydro-Québec to reduce operational risks and improve data collection quality.