Xer Technologies understands that, as the energy sector continues to prioritize efficiency and reliability, advanced aerial inspection solutions are transforming how power grids are maintained. Read more >>
The Xer X8 UAS, a hybrid-electric unmanned aircraft system (UAS), aims to redefine the standard for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) inspections, offering an automated, high-precision, and cost-effective approach to monitoring power lines and large-scale infrastructure.
A Complete Drone Inspection Solution
The Xer X8 UAS is built to provide energy and utility companies with a streamlined and highly accurate inspection workflow. With high-resolution cameras and LiDAR integration, the drone collects critical data essential for optimizing grid reliability and performance.
Beyond power line inspection, the X8 UAS is also ideal for oil and gas asset monitoring, offshore wind park inspection, and large-scale infrastructure assessments. By combining cutting-edge sensor payloads with fully automated flight planning and data analysis, the X8 UAS delivers operational efficiency and safety unmatched by traditional drone or manual inspection methods.
Automating power line inspections significantly reduces manual effort, ensuring consistent, repeatable flight paths that yield high-quality, actionable data. The automated workflow minimizes human intervention while improving maintenance decision-making through enhanced situational awareness.
By leveraging the Xer X8 UAS, grid operators can efficiently track infrastructure conditions over time, enabling predictive maintenance and early issue detection to prevent costly failures. This technology represents a paradigm shift for the utilities sector, introducing an optimized, data-driven approach to infrastructure management.
The UAS is customizable to each client’s needs, depending on the nature of the payloads and software required. When equipped with a LiDAR sensor, the Xer X8 UAS can create a high-precision digital twin of the power grid in a single flight. This digital representation allows operators to analyze structural conditions, monitor environmental impacts, and implement proactive maintenance strategies, reducing the likelihood of outages and extending asset longevity.
The Xer X8 UAS sets a new benchmark in drone inspection with its hybrid-electric propulsion system, delivering an impressive 2.5-hour flight time with a 3 kg payload. Capable of carrying up to 7 kg, the X8 supports ultra-high-resolution cameras, LiDAR, infrared (IR), and corona sensors, ensuring superior data capture.
Unlike fixed-wing drones, the X8 UAS can hover, capturing detailed, high-quality imagery while withstanding challenging weather conditions. Compared to battery-powered drones, the hybrid system significantly improves operational workflow and cost-effectiveness, maximizing output while minimizing downtime.
Key Capabilities of the Xer X8 UAS
Comprehensive Asset Inspection
- Conductors
- Towers and poles
- Connectors, insulators, clamps
- Arresters and switches
- Vegetation and surrounding infrastructure
Advanced Mission Planning Software
- Automated flight paths for repeatable, high-precision inspections
- Reliable data collection for long-term monitoring
- BVLOS capabilities with long-range telemetry
High-Quality Data Capture
- Advanced sensors (ultra-high-resolution cameras, LiDAR, IR, corona)
- Consistent performance in complex weather and environmental conditions
- Regulatory-compliant documentation to facilitate approval processes
End-to-End Data Management & Analysis
- Optional AI-powered software suite for predictive maintenance
- Cloud or on-premise data storage
- Seamless API integration into digital twin platforms
- Optimized data evaluation workflow
Transforming Infrastructure Inspection with the Xer X8 UAS
The Xer X8 UAS is not just a drone — it is a fully integrated inspection solution that brings together advanced automation, precision sensors, and intelligent data analysis to elevate power line maintenance strategies.
By reducing operational costs, improving inspection accuracy, and enhancing safety, the X8 UAS is setting new standards for aerial infrastructure monitoring.
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