Robert Dahlstrom, Founder and CEO of Apellix, and his team have developed an aerial robotic system that promises to transform the way industrial cleaning is performed at height. Their flagship product is a pressure washing drone, designed to operate at high altitude without exposing workers to dangerous situations.
This robot enables cleaning of structures such as storage tanks, buildings and industrial platforms without the need for scaffolding, cranes or rope work. This considerably reduces the risk of accidents and optimizes operating times.
Up to 20 times faster than traditional methods
One of the biggest advantages of this drone is its efficiency, which Dahlstrom says can perform cleaning tasks up to 20 times faster than conventional methods. While erecting and dismantling scaffolding in a refinery can take weeks, this drone can be up and running in as little as 20 minutes after arriving on site.
This speed not only represents savings in time, but also in logistical and operational costs, making frequent cleaning of critical infrastructures feasible without interrupting operations.
Versatility in complex structures
The Apellix drone’s design allows it to easily maneuver around surfaces with complicated geometries, something that is often a challenge for traditional methods. Thanks to its precision control and in-flight stability, it can access difficult areas such as tank edges surrounded by berms or sloped surfaces, without the need for additional equipment. In addition, the ability to be folded and transported in a cubic box of just 66 cm facilitates its use in multiple locations with minimal logistical effort.
Technical and operational characteristics
This pressure washer drone is built to a weight rating of 25 kilograms (55 pounds), allowing it to meet the requirements of aviation authorities in the 18 countries where the company already has a presence.
It offers two modes of operation depending on the required pressure:
- 3,500 PSI for pressure washing
- 300 PSI for soft wash
Its autonomy varies between 17 and 32 minutes depending on the load, but there is also a ground-powered version capable of all-day operation. Even inexperienced children have been able to maneuver it in public demonstrations, thanks to its intuitive control system and stable response.
Price and availability
The standard model costs $40,000, while the advanced version costs $47,000. The ground-powered edition costs $82,000. All packages include batteries, chargers, carrying case and training, either at Apellix headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, or directly at the customer’s facility.
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Source: Inspenet.