Flyability

Flyability is a Swiss company specializing in the development and manufacturing of drones for indoor and confined space inspections. Their flagship product, the Elios 3, is a collision-tolerant drone equipped with a LiDAR sensor for 3D mapping and data collection inside industrial assets and confined spaces. Launched in May 2022, the Elios three is powered by Flyability's proprietary SLAM engine called FlyAware, which combines computer vision, LiDAR technology, and an NVidia graphic engine to create real-time 3D maps and enable the drone to sense its surroundings accurately.

The Elios three features a modular design that allows for customizable payloads, accommodating secondary sensors or equipment based on user requirements. It boasts groundbreaking stability, leveraging data from its three optical cameras and LiDAR sensor to compensate for unpredictable movements, making it incredibly easy to operate. Flyability's Inspector 4.0 software visualizes Points of Interest found during inspections in high-resolution 3D maps, supporting maintenance and planning efforts.

Flyability has been working on the Elios three for four years, conducting extensive research and development, including over 200 field missions to gather feedback and refine the technology. The company collaborated with top universities through Team Cerberus to participate in DARPA's Sub-T challenge for autonomous robotics in underground environments. In March 2024, Flyability introduced the Elios three UT Payload, a game-changing addition developed in collaboration with Cygnus Instruments, transforming the Elios three into a flying Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) gauge for conducting accurate thickness measurements and high-resolution A-scans in demanding spaces.

Key customers and partnerships

Flyability has established partnerships and collaborations with various companies and organizations to enhance its technology and expand its reach. In September 2022, the company secured CHF 15 million (approximately USD 15.2 million) in a Series C funding round, led by Japan's SBI Investment and involving new investors such as Cargill and Verve Ventures, as well as existing investors like Dow, ETF Partners, Swisscom, and Future Industry Ventures. Cargill and Dow, both major customers of Flyability, have been utilizing the company's inspection technology to improve worker safety and reduce downtimes.

In March 2024, Flyability unveiled the Elios three UT Payload, developed in collaboration with Cygnus Instruments, revolutionizing indoor inspections with a cutting-edge solution for conducting ultrasonic thickness measurements and high-resolution A-scans. The company has also partnered with GeoSLAM to enable the creation of survey-grade 3D models using software for post-flight data processing.