Protective carbon cage
A cage surrounds the aircraft, absorbs collisions, and lets the drone slide through extremely confined spaces.
Technology
A collision-resilient drone, purpose-built for confined spaces
Novatrace operates a collision-resilient inspection drone — flying high-resolution visual, ultrasonic thickness (UT), and 3D LiDAR payloads into tanks, holds, and structural compartments where people would otherwise have to go.
How RIT works
Remote Inspection Technique, end to end
RIT is a method recognized by classification societies (such as ABS) as an alternative means of access for certain surveys. Instead of staging or rope access, a collision-resilient UAV is flown into the space to capture the data a surveyor needs.
- Prepare the space — the compartment is assessed, ventilated, and made ready per safety procedure.
- Fly the inspection — the UAV captures high-resolution visual coverage and, where required, ultrasonic thickness readings and 3D LiDAR.
- Process the data — imagery, point clouds, and thickness records are reviewed and quality-checked.
- Deliver the report — formatted deliverables are provided for owner and classification review.
The platform
Our inspection drone
A collision-resilient inspection-and-mapping drone built to enter confined, cluttered, and GPS-denied spaces. Novatrace operates it to deliver the inspection service — the platform is how the work gets done; the data and reporting are Novatrace’s.
GPS-denied flight
LiDAR-based (SLAM) stabilization lets it navigate and hold position inside steel tanks and holds where GPS does not exist.
Collision-resilient by design
Built to keep flying after contact rather than avoid all contact — what makes tight, cluttered spaces practical to inspect.
Small two-person crew
Operable by a two-person team, supporting the small-crew, no-entry operational model.
Operating envelope
- Aircraft dimensions (W×H)
- 48 × 38 cm (18.9 × 13.8 in)
- Weight (with LiDAR)
- ~2,412 g (< 5.2 lb)
- Max flight time
- 11.5 min (base) · 9.1 min with LiDAR
- Ingress protection
- Splash/dust resistant; LiDAR payload IP68
- Operating temperature
- 0–50 °C (32–122 °F)
- Transmission range
- 500 m (1,640 ft) line of sight
- Onboard lighting
- 16,000 lumens (normal / dustproof / oblique)
Payloads & capabilities
What the platform captures
The payloads behind every inspection — high-resolution visual, ultrasonic thickness, 3D LiDAR, and thermal. Visual and UT fall within our ABS Recognized Service Supplier scope; LiDAR and thermal are added capabilities.
Remote Visual Inspection
Built-in 4K camera pod ABS-recognized
A remote close-up survey — eyes inside the tank without a person inside. Imagery is location-tagged and reviewable in a 3D model.
- Camera
- 12.3 MP 1/2.3" CMOS · 4K/30fps video · 12 MP stills
- Detail (GSD)
- down to 0.18 mm/pixel
- Camera pod
- 180° tiltable
Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) Gauging
Dual-element ultrasonic thickness probe ABS-recognized
Remote ultrasonic thickness measurement — structural thickness readings without rope access, staging, or entry. UT is the method; hull gauging is its marine application.
- Accuracy
- ±0.1 mm (±0.004"), or 0.1% of thickness
- Range in steel
- 0.8 mm to 250 mm
- Display resolution
- 0.1 mm / 0.01 mm
- Modes
- Single Echo (Mode 2) · Echo-to-Echo (Mode 3)
- Probe frequencies
- 7.5 / 5 / 2 MHz
- Output
- location-tagged A-scan, refinable in real time
LiDAR 3D Mapping
128-beam LiDAR scanner
Dense 3D point clouds that let Novatrace deliver a navigable digital twin of the asset — not just photos.
- Range
- up to 100 m
- Precision
- ±6 mm (1σ) · ±12 mm (2σ); from 0.1% drift
- Scan rate
- 1.3 million points/sec
- Export formats
- LAZ / LAS / E57
Thermal (Radiometric) Imaging
Radiometric thermal camera
Radiometric thermal imaging captured alongside the visual inspection to reveal heat patterns, moisture ingress, and anomalies. Offered as an added capability — outside the ABS Service Supplier Recognition scope.
- Resolution
- 160 × 120 radiometric
- Accuracy
- ±5 °C / ±5%
- Sensitivity
- ≤50 mK
Also available on the platform: radiation (rad) dose-rate mapping, flammable-gas detection. Novatrace does not currently offer these as services — contact us if your scope requires them.
Why our data is better
Better data than traditional hull gauging
Traditional hull gauging produces isolated spot readings, recorded by hand, that can’t be checked once the technician leaves the steel. Our inspections capture richer, verifiable data — every UT reading geolocated in a 3D point cloud, and every A-scan saved for later review.
Traditional hull gauging Novatrace RIT
Measurement coverage Traditional Spot readings at a limited number of access-dependent points. Novatrace RIT Dense, systematic UT readings across the structure, captured in a single deployment.
Where each reading was taken Traditional Approximate locations marked by hand on a drawing. Novatrace RIT Every UT measurement is tagged to its exact position in the LiDAR point cloud / digital twin.
Verifiability Traditional A single recorded number — no way to confirm it after the fact. Novatrace RIT The full A-scan is saved for every reading and can be re-traced and re-verified in software, refining the echo selection later.
Repeatability over time Traditional Hard to return to the exact same spot on the next survey. Novatrace RIT Return to the identical measurement point on future surveys to trend corrosion accurately.
Context Traditional Thickness numbers with no spatial or visual context. Novatrace RIT Readings sit in a navigable 3D model alongside 4K visual and thermal imagery.
Access & safety Traditional Staging, rope access, or confined-space entry to reach the steel. Novatrace RIT No human entry — the drone reaches the structure and flies the measurements.
From flight to deliverable
The inspection pipeline
Data is captured live, processed into a digital twin, and delivered as a report you can act on.
- 1
In-flight
Live 4K video, a live 3D map, and live A-scan (UT) refinement — all data location-tagged as it is captured.
- 2
Post-processing
Imagery and measurements analyzed in dedicated inspection software; point clouds processed and multi-flight data merged into a single digital twin.
- 3
Deliverable
A combined inspection report (visual + UT) plus 3D model files for owner and classification review.
The safety case
The drone goes in, so your people don't
By flying the inspection, RIT reduces the need for confined-space entry — a leading source of serious maritime injuries. It reduces exposure; it does not eliminate all risk, and safety procedures still govern every job.
Plain-language glossary
Key terms
- RIT
- Remote Inspection Technique/Technology — drone and remote tools used as an alternative means of access for inspection and survey.
- Classification society
- An organization (e.g., ABS) that sets and verifies standards for ship and offshore structural integrity.
- Close-up survey
- Detailed inspection of structure at close range, normally requiring access such as staging or rope access — which RIT can substitute for.
- Hull gauging / UT
- Ultrasonic thickness measurement of steel to assess corrosion and wear. UT is the method; hull gauging is its marine application.
- GPS-denied / SLAM
- Navigating without GPS by using onboard LiDAR to map and hold position — how the drone flies inside steel structure.
- ESP
- Enhanced Survey Programme — a stricter survey regime for tankers and bulk carriers.
- Confined / enclosed space
- Tanks, holds, voids, and cofferdams that are hazardous to enter — the spaces the drone inspects instead of a person.
Keep your people out of confined spaces
Talk to our team about remote inspection of your tanks, holds, and internal structure.