RWE is awarded the German Prize for Ideas for the use of multicopters

The German Institute of Management awarded the DeutschenIdeenPreis (the German Prize for ideas) to RWE Deutschland AG for the application of the hexcopter Aibot X6. The energy supplier came in first place in the category “Trend Idea – Ideas for Upcoming Challenges”.

The distribution network operator, Westnetz GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of RWE Deutschland AG, has been using the Aibot X6 for approximately one year to inspect power lines, building roofs and photovoltaic systems. The focus is on short-term, selective rapid fault analysis. The application of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has many advantages: overhead power lines and transmission towers can be inspected without having to organise a hydraladder or helicopter. The use of helicopters in particular, is very expensive because their size doesn’t allow inspection in all areas. Furthermore, power doesn’t have to be switched off during typical inspections of overhead power lines and transmission towers. In the event of malfunction, the necessary turn-off time can be significantly reduced.

“In addition to time and cost savings, we have achieved another goal: Work on overhead power lines and transmission towers has become safer, thanks to unmanned hexacopters, because the pilot controls the application from the ground,” explains Westnetz CEO Dr. Stefan Kueppers.

“We are delighted that RWE regards the use of the Aibot X6 a great success and even won the German Ideas Prize with it”, says Aibotix CEO, Jörg Lamprecht. “I am convinced that multicopter applications, which are numerous today, will become even more varied in the future.”

Apart from industrial inspection, the Aibot X6 has been successfully used in surveying, geo-mapping and construction industries. Moreover, Aibotix is currently exploring and developing solutions for use of the Aibot X6 in factories and warehouses and also in agriculture and forestry.

German Prize of Ideas

The German Ideas Prize is an initiative of the German Institute of Management (dib) in Frankfurt on the Main. Together with sponsors, project and media partners, people are rewarded for their creative ideas and companies are awarded for their commitment to  management and for the implementation of ideas and innovation. In the category “Trend Idea – Ideas for Upcoming Challenges”, ideas and projects are awarded, that creatively address current issues, such as demography, security and diversity and offer innovative solutions.

More information at www.deutscherideenpreis.de

About Aibotix

Aibotix GmbH develops and manufactures high quality and intelligent multicopters for applications in the industrial sector. The company’s name encloses AI for artificial intelligence and BOTIX for robotics. Aibotix is represented around the globe. With 200 annually produced UAVs, the company belongs to the five largest producers. Thanks to a global network of partners, Aibotix provides customers worldwide with the opportunity to test and purchase its products as well as with personal advice and support. Further information can be found at: www.aibotix.com.

Aibotix GmbH is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B), a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualization technologies that enable customers to design, measure and position objects, and process and present data. More information at http://www.aibotix.com