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Elythor: Revolutionizing inspection and monitoring

Editorial

Für den Inhalt der Angaben zeichnet die Projektleitung verantwortlich.

Project data

  • Project no: GRS-033/23 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 150'000 
  • Approved: 04.07.2023 
  • Duration: 10.2023 - 10.2024 
  • Area of activity:  InnoBooster, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

Whether it’s from solar, wind, or fossil fuels, energy is needed for nearly every aspect of our life. We’re depend- ent on our resources and the power grid for a reliable stream of power. And yet, around US$143b is lost globally every year due to power grid failures. To reduce the risk of power grids going down, the infrastructure needs to be inspected and monitored on a regular basis – this currently costs billions each year.
When it comes to inspecting and monitoring their power infrastructure, companies need a solution that’s quick, thorough, low-cost, and, most importantly, safe. While the work was done manually in the past, more recently,
companies have moved towards using fixed-wing drones or multicopters. Copters are highly precise but have a
very limited range and need regular charging. On the other end of the spectrum, fixed-wing drones can travel a long way, but they don't allow close inspection because of how they’re built.
Elythor’s pioneering drone technology combines the best of both systems, creating a low-cost, high-precision option for energy infrastructure inspection.
Elythor’s technology combines the precision of multicopters and the durability of fixed-wing drones with in- flight shapeshifting to create an agile, accurate, and robust robot. Our drone can conduct inspections in con- fined and complex spaces and travel the long distances required for power infrastructure. With Elythor, power infrastructure managers can benefit from up to a 40% reduction in cost and up to a 35% reduction in the time their inspectors spend out in the field.

Status/Results

With the support of the InnoBooster grant, Elythor has achieved remarkable progress. The funding has been crucial in advancing our prototypes, bringing us closer to launching a minimum viable product and sharpening our industrialization strategy. Access to the program’s resources and network has connected us with leading industry stakeholders, investors, and prospective customers, laying a solid foundation for future growth. This support has been pivotal in driving our mission to revolutionize energy infrastructure inspection and positioning Elythor for long-term success.

Links

Persons involved in the project

Harry Vourtsis, EPFL, Founder & CEO
Nathan Müller, EPFL, Co-Founder & CTO
Dario Floreano, EPFL, Co-Founder & Technical Advisor

Last update to this project presentation  18.12.2024