USE CASE · INDUSTRY

Confined-space inspection drone: tanks, boilers and silos seen from the inside

The drone goes into the tank, boiler or silo instead of the inspector and brings back images, video and 3D data. Inspectors keep the analysis, the regulatory measurements and the repair decisions.

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A Flyability Elios 3 drone lights and inspects the inside of an industrial storage tank, its metal walls in view.

IN BRIEF

Updated 22 Oct 2026

A confined-space inspection drone flies inside tanks, boilers, silos, chimneys and galleries, without GPS, protected against impacts by a cage.
The Flyability Elios 3 navigates by LiDAR, lights the interior with 16,000 lumens and flies more than 12.5 minutes, up to 17 minutes with the high-capacity battery, according to its manufacturer.
Robot Distribution delivers it, plans the inspection missions with you, trains your pilots and maintains it, to buy, rent or as RaaS.

WHY

Confined-space drone inspection

Inspecting the inside of a tank, boiler or silo often means a shutdown, cleaning, ventilation, a confined-space entry permit and sometimes scaffolding. Sending a person into these spaces remains a risky, supervised operation that takes time to prepare.

The drone allows a first visual examination with no human entry, or limits entries to the areas that need measuring. The EU drone framework (Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945) covers outdoor flights; inside a structure, the site's safety and confined-space rules apply.

HOW IT RUNS

How a confined-space drone inspection runs.

Mission planning
With the operator we define the area to inspect, the access point (manhole, hatch), the defects sought and site rules. The Flyability Elios 3 is 48 cm wide, according to its manufacturer: the opening size is checked.
Flight inside
The pilot flies the drone in through the opening. Its cage absorbs contact with the walls; LiDAR stabilises it without GPS, and its 16,000-lumen lighting reveals the surfaces, according to its manufacturer.
Data and measurements
The drone films in 4K, records thermal images and builds a 3D model of the space. According to its manufacturer, the Elios 3 also takes ultrasonic thickness, gas and radiation payloads.
Report and follow-up
Images are located on the 3D model, defects are marked and compared from one inspection to the next. For the outside of chimneys, flare stacks and tanks, the Autel EVO Max 4T V2 measures distances up to 1,200 m with its laser rangefinder, according to its manufacturer.

A pilot in protective equipment prepares the Flyability Elios 3 drone in front of a boiler manhole. — The drone goes in through the manhole; the pilot stays outside.

The Flyability Elios 3 drone flies inside a concrete silo, its lighting revealing the condition of the wall. — Inside, on-board lighting reveals the condition of the walls.

THE ROBOTS

Inspection drones in our catalogue.

Flyability Elios 3
Professional drones
Key feature
16,000 lm lighting
Key feature
12.5–17 min flight time
Key feature
LiDAR SLAM, no GPS needed
On order
From €73,390 ex VATor €2,499/month in RaaS
Autel EVO Max 4T V2
Professional drones
Key feature
42 min flight time
Ingress protection
IP43
Key feature
640×512 thermal
On order
From €9,490 ex VATor €319/month in RaaS
Skydio
Skydio X10
Professional drones
Key feature
40 min flight time
Ingress protection
IP55
Maximum speed
72 km/h
On order
From €17,390 ex VATor €589/month in RaaS
Percepto Air Max
Professional drones
Key feature
61 MP RGB camera
Key feature
Radiometric thermal
Key feature
24/7 on-site operation
On order
Price on request

The whole solution · Industry

BEFORE INSTALLING

What the site survey checks before the first inspection.

Access and dimensions
Manhole diameter, internal volume, obstacles (agitators, tubes, walkways) and distance from the access point set the drone and the mission.
Atmosphere and cleanliness
Gas, dust, humidity and temperature are assessed with the operator; the Elios 3 works from 0 to 50 °C with an IP44 equivalent rating, according to its manufacturer. ATEX zones need a specific assessment.
Expected data
Video, thermography, 3D point cloud or thickness measurement: the deliverables drive the choice of payloads and the report format.
Organisation and safety
Lock-out, work permit, pilot and observer roles, and radio link with the drone inside metal walls are all agreed with the site.

FAQ

Maintenance and inspection managers' questions about confined-space drones.

How does the drone fly without GPS inside a tank?

The Flyability Elios 3 positions itself by LiDAR and SLAM, which map the space around it in real time, according to its manufacturer. It needs no satellite signal.

What happens if the drone touches a wall?

The Elios 3 is designed to tolerate collisions: a protective cage surrounds the drone and its propellers, according to its manufacturer. It can follow walls and pass through narrow gaps.

How long does a flight last?

More than 12.5 minutes, and up to 17 minutes with the high-capacity battery for the Elios 3, according to its manufacturer. An inspection takes several flights, with battery changes between them.

What data can the drone collect?

According to its manufacturer, the Elios 3 combines a 4K camera, a radiometric thermal camera and LiDAR for the 3D model, and takes ultrasonic thickness, radiation and gas payloads.

What about the outside of silos and chimneys?

An outdoor drone takes over: the Autel EVO Max 4T V2 flies up to 42 minutes with a 640 × 512 thermal camera, and the Skydio X10 up to 40 minutes with an IP55 rating, according to their manufacturers. These flights fall under Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945.

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