DroneBox - A Fully Automated UAV System for Surveillance and Inspection Application
Pattawut Manapongpun, Pakpoom Kriengkomol, Chanon Karoonkornsakul, Narongsak Lounsrimongkol, Amin Rajawana, Matenat Khamphroo, Songwoot Wachirapisun, Napat Chenchai · Day 1 Mon, February 21, 2022 · 2022
Abstract Recently, an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV technology has become more robust and reliable to serve industrial applications including site patronage, monitoring and surveillance missions. However, the operational growth is retarded by the slow development of experienced UAV pilots and operators, which makes the routine UAV missions costly and not feasible. The "DroneBox" is a fully automated, completely independent drone solution, where it will serve as the drone storage and self-maintenance base, for a surveillance operation without any human assistant. With our technology, the drone will be able to take off, perform missions, land precisely and recharge automatically while using accumulated real-time information to operate with the safest configuration. Implementation of the DroneBox system offshore will reduce the risk, cost and time of surveillance operation compared to the conventional method used in the industry. The predetermined events can be identified ahead of time, risks can be assessed earlier, and hazards can be prevented. Normally, scheduled offshore surveillance is done by assigning inspectors to investigate anomalies on offshore plants via crew boat vessels. These costly procedures can be replaced by the proposed solution, the innovative "DroneBox". Based on the feasibility study on PTTEP maintenance cost related to offshores surveillance, "DroneBox" could save up to 1.82 million USD annually from transportation expenses calculated from the operation on 30 different platforms in Artit (ART) and Great Bongkot North (GBN) wellhead platforms. Our developed technology is the transition towards the new era of autonomous surveillance in oil and gas industry.