RES’ Digital Solutions business has launched Smart Pilot, a data capture software that automates wind blade inspections in a single turbine stop, reducing downtime while maintaining high-quality image capture on standard DJI hardware.
Traditionally, blade inspection required stopping a turbine three times to position each blade individually, with a separate drone flight for each. Smart Pilot replaces this with a single automated stop, reducing inspection time by approximately 25% compared to conventional methods.
Rea Meisinger, VP, Digital Blades at RES, said: “The key achievement with Smart Pilot is not a single feature, but the integration of automation, reduced downtime and high‑quality data capture on standard drone hardware. This combination allows inspection teams to deploy quickly, operate consistently and scale globally without relying on proprietary equipment.”
Smart Pilot’s value lies in combining a fully automated process with minimal pilot intervention, high‑quality image capture and the ability to operate using standard drone hardware in a consistent and scalable way.
The solution operates entirely on standard, off‑the‑shelf DJI hardware, using DJI drones and DJI payloads , with no need for proprietary or third‑party equipment such as additional cameras or stabilisation systems. This enables global deployment using standard drones, with pilots requiring only the Smart Pilot flight application. Training can be completed remotely, allowing inspection teams to be operational within half a day and start capturing high‑quality data that is uploaded and managed through RES’ digital platform.
This approach maximises compatibility, simplifies deployment and enables scalable use across different geographies, while minimising operational complexity and cost.
By combining reduced downtime, automation, high-quality outputs and scalable deployment on standard hardware, Smart Pilot supports a more consistent and efficient approach to blade inspections under real operating conditions.
