Flyability, a Swiss company and a recognized developer of inspection drones, specializes in solutions for exploring internal, inaccessible, and confined spaces.
DroneUA, part of Futurology, has worked with Flyability since 2017, supplying inspection drones to major organizations, including the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), DTEK, and other institutions.
From the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Flyability actively supported Ukrainian rescue operations.
Recognizing the importance of collision-resistant drones for search and rescue missions, Flyability donated two Elios drones to Ukrainian emergency services in March 2022.
DroneUA specialists conducted training sessions and practical workshops for SESU personnel, demonstrating the equipment’s key capabilities and explaining operational and safety requirements.
Inspection drones for hazardous environments
Flyability’s impact-resistant Elios drones are designed for missions in confined and hard-to-reach environments.
Their protective spherical structure allows them to enter industrial and civilian facilities, including locations affected by severe damage, structural collapse, or limited access.
The rugged design makes Elios drones especially suitable for search, inspection, and monitoring tasks in environments where direct human access would be dangerous.
When particularly hazardous areas need to be inspected, the drone can perform the initial assessment while helping reduce risks to rescue personnel.
Visual and thermal inspection capabilities
Equipped with a thermal imaging camera and integrated lighting, the drone can transmit detailed visual information from dark, damaged, or confined spaces to the operator’s monitor.
This allows rescue teams to inspect structural conditions, identify potential hazards, and gather information about people who may be inside the affected area.
The following video shows the drone in operation and includes feedback from Nikolay Klimenko, Head of the Robotics Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Cherkasy region.
Collision-resistant operation in confined spaces
Collision-resistant drones make it possible to conduct detailed inspections of complex enclosed spaces where conventional drones would be difficult or unsafe to operate.
These missions often involve limited visibility, narrow passages, unstable structures, and a high level of operational responsibility.
Elios drones can continue flying after contact with walls or surrounding structures, allowing operators to explore areas that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Extended search and inspection missions
A single flight lasts approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The standard kit includes nine rechargeable batteries, supporting longer search and inspection operations through repeated flights.
Supporting emergency and rescue operations
DroneUA has supported the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for seven years by supplying unmanned aerial systems and providing technical expertise.
Inspection drones significantly simplify the work of rescue teams during emergency response operations in hazardous and hard-to-reach locations.
They can be used for:
- Inspection of damaged buildings.
- Assessment of collapsed structures.
- Search operations in confined spaces.
- Thermal monitoring.
- Initial evaluation of hazardous sites.
- Reducing personnel exposure to dangerous environments.
These systems help rescue teams perform difficult missions while improving situational awareness and reducing risks to personnel.
Acknowledgment
We express our sincere gratitude to Flyability and to Johannes Mendgen, Alexandre Meldem, and Patrick Thévoz for their support and for providing essential equipment to Ukraine’s emergency services.
