The Elios 3 was deployed for a stormwater pipeline inspection by InterGroup in Christchurch, New Zealand, marking one of the first remote stormwater drain inspections with a drone in the region!
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Access The Elios 3 allowed InterGroup to map over 200 meters of storm drain without people having to enter the space, ensuring easy, remote access. The team used the drone's LiDAR and 4K camera to collect necessary information for the inspection. |
Safety Eliminating confined space entry during this inspection kept the inspection team safe as they gathered data for the local authorities. This reduced risks associated with sewers and storm drains which can include fall risks and biohazards. |
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Speed Using the Elios 3, this inspection was completed in just 1 day, compared to traditional methods which would likely require multiple days for cleaning the storm drain as well as inspecting it manually. |
Data Integration The Elios 3 data was imported to WinCan, which has a native integration with Flyability software. This empowered InterGroup to share their results in an industry-recognized format, combining remote data collection with industry norms. |
Whatever the reason for a sewer inspection, the fact of the matter remains that it is a challenging mission. Sewer and wastewater network inspections require inspectors to work in confined spaces, and see potential exposure to biohazards and dangerous gases, as well as fall risks. New, remote inspection technology such as the Elios 3 drone is helping to make sewer surveys safer by keeping people out of the sewer network during the data collection phase.
InterGroup is a leading specialist service provider in infrastructure and industrial services in New Zealand. They work with local authorities, industrial sites, and contractors to help inspect and manage complex assets including sewer systems and drainage networks.
This includes deploying remote inspection technology, such as the Elios 3 drone, to perform precise and efficient inspections in confined and hard-to-reach areas.
Recently, InterGroup was contracted to inspect a stormwater pipeline for AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, and the local city council in Christchurch. AECOM requested that InterGroup conduct a comprehensive survey of the pipeline, combining the Elios 3 drone with CCTV inspections. They also wanted a comprehensive report in a format they could easily recognize, so InterGroup planned to include WinCan software in their data analysis, as this software supports data from the Elios 3 and is tailored for sewer inspections. The brief for the mission was unique and it was an innovative project for Christchurch.
The Elios 3 is a unique drone, capable of collecting multiple types of data simultaneously. It is designed to fly in the most inhospitable environments, with a particular affinity for confined spaces. This makes it ideal for underground inspections of sewers and stormwater drain networks. The Elios 3's main features that make it particularly suited to this application include:
The Elios 3 goes beyond being a useful piece of hardware - it is a complete inspection solution that can be painlessly slotted into standard operating procedures. This ease of use combined with the robust, adaptable design makes it ideal for inspections of complex assets including stormwater systems.
In this mission, 2 pipelines were being inspected. The first had a diameter of 1,800 mm while the other was smaller, measuring 1,200mm. The total distance covered would be 265 meters. The pipes were parallel to each other. AECOM and the Christchurch local council wanted georeferenced maps of the pipes that could give them a condition assessment and serve as a record for potential work or planning in the future.
Traditionally, an inspection of this nature would use a combination of water jetting and CCTV to get the desired results. However, water jetting for a tunnel network of this length would require potentially days of work. It would also involve confined space entry for inspectors, adding to the complexity and safety hazards of the mission.
InterGroup’s Elios 3 drone was the perfect alternative.
The drone would require no water jetting before entry and could also ensure remote access that would keep inspectors safely out of the pipelines. The length of the tunnel would not pose a problem for the drone, especially with the use of the range extender.
The Elios 3 was a faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternative and was thus chosen as the inspection tool for this stormwater pipeline.
The Elios 3 drone's LiDAR scan shows the structure of the tunnel under the roadway
The Elios 3 was deployed to fly inside the pipelines and completed all data collection within a day. Thanks to the drone’s simultaneous collection of LiDAR data and 4K videos, InterGroup was able to collect a large quantity of data that was accurate and detailed. In the harsh lighting conditions underground, the pilots could fly with ease and confidence thanks to the drone’s powerful lighting rig. The video camera also provided clear footage that showcased faults in the tunnel in high detail.
After the mission was complete, InterGroup imported the Elios 3 flight data into WinCan. This new integration between Flyability and WinCan was launched in 2025 and is intended to streamline sewer inspection reporting by providing data from the drone in industry-standard formats.
InterGroup was able to show a clear map of the pipelines in WinCan with annotated images and 3D models from Elios 3’s inspection. This was the first time InterGroup generated a WinCan report from Elios 3 flight data, and they received highly positive feedback from the client when they shared the final report.
“Using WinCan and the Elios 3 drone resulted in smooth integration, with InterGroup very pleased with the final output. The report was delivered to the client in a familiar format, and feedback was highly positive. The process provided both our team and the client with detailed insights that supported informed decision-making.” - Dariusz Leskiewicz Strategic Growth and Service Delivery Manager at InterGroup
Thanks to the high precision detail and clear information from the Elios 3 and WinCan reports, InterGroup impressed their client with their results. This combined use of the Elios 3 and WinCan highlights a new step forward for sewer inspections, where drone data can be seamlessly integrated with industry standards.
The final map provided critical insights into the pipelines’ condition, allowing for initiative-taking maintenance planning to follow. The inspection was done so quickly that work was completed ahead of schedule and within the desired scope, minimizing disruption to any surrounding infrastructure. As a result, the clients were very happy and highlighted the quality and accuracy of the pipeline inspection.
Overall, 265.69 meters were inspected in this near-first-of-its-kind project. The final data provided data-driven insights that will allow the Christchurch City Council and AECOM to plan optimal maintenance and management systems for these drains as they have digital twins of the assets. The speed, quality, and precision of the work by InterGroup impressed their clients and highlighted once again the value of using the Elios 3 drone for complex inspections.
Discover more about how the Elios 3 drone is used for sewer and stormwater pipe inspections.