Intelligent Inspections

From Manual Inspections to Smart, Data-Driven Decisions

Effective asset management requires reliable, up-to-date data. Traditional CCTV inspections demand heavy resources, cause disruption in populated areas, and often provide inconsistent assessments.

Solteq Utilities Consulting’s Intelligent Inspections combine drone technology, machine learning and 3D point-cloud modelling to deliver fast, accurate and non-intrusive insights into underground and hard-to-reach infrastructure.

By capturing 4K drone-based video and analysing it automatically with AI, utilities gain a clear understanding of asset condition – supporting smarter reinvestment decisions, longer asset lifetimes and more efficient maintenance planning.

Customer Benefits

Significant time and resource savings
Reduced societal and environmental impact
Objective and uniform assessment of pipeline condition
Compatible with existing asset systems and digital workflows
Inspections on live assets – no shutdown or flushing required
High-quality 4K video and enriched data output

Why Choose Utilities Consulting?

Our Intelligent Inspections service is best in the Nordic market. Developed together with utilities and refined through real-world cases, it combines cutting-edge drone technology with AI analytics and deep sector expertise.

We deliver more than inspection data – we provide actionable insights that strengthen long-term asset management and reinvestment planning.

Let’s bring your asset data to life and turn inspections into smarter decisions.

A composite image showing the drone operator’s display view, a sewer pipe, and 3D point-cloud modeling.

Our Solution – Drone-Based Inspections

Our drones capture 4K video directly from operational pipelines – no flushing, sediment removal or heavy equipment needed.
This enables:

Rapid, safe and low-impact inspection setup
Minimal disruption in traffic-heavy areas
Access to previously hard-to-reach pipes and structures
Frequent and cost-effective network screening
Updated, higher-quality data for asset management

The result:
Better data, fewer resources, and a continually updated understanding of your network condition.

Watch the video of a drone-based sewer inspection →

AI-Powered Event Detection

Today, many operators review inspection videos manually – a slow and subjective process. Our machine learning model automatically identifies defects, anomalies and structural issues in video footage, delivering:

Faster, more reliable and repeatable results
Continuous monitoring of defect development over time
Improved prioritisation and investment planning

Insights into how conditions develop year-to-year provide utilities with stronger understanding of reinvestment needs and help target resources effectively.

3D Models and Point Clouds

Drone data is processed into accurate 3D point cloud models of pipes, maintenance holes and structures – providing geometric and positional data for engineering and planning.

Supports:

Renovation and relining planning
Verification of dimensions, elevations and alignments
Integration with GIS and asset management systems
Supplementary material for field measurements

These models reduce uncertainty, improve planning accuracy, and help avoid unnecessary excavation.

Deliverables

Each inspection project includes a complete, standardized set of outputs:

4K MP4 video for each inspected section
AI-based PDF report with images and identified events
XML report following DANVA’s standard structure
3D point cloud model with free access to the drone’s visualization platform

Together, these provide a digital, visual and easily comparable dataset for consistent long-term asset management.

Consultants working at a desk on advanced renovation planning, with a computer screen displaying a map of the network and its condition marked in different colours.

Advanced Renovation Planning – Data, AI, and Expertise Combined

Utilities Consulting offers advanced renovation planning services that integrate existing inspection data, machine learning models, and expert consulting — or, when necessary, new drone-based data collection to fill in the gaps.

Our approach provides a comprehensive, data-driven view of network conditions and investment needs.

Here’s how we help:

Data Assessment: We evaluate the quality and completeness of your existing datasets and identify where additional data or updates are needed.
AI-Enhanced Condition Modelling: Our algorithms predict pipeline condition development and highlight sections that require near-term attention.
Optimized Investment Planning: Using data-driven insights, we help utilities prioritize renovations and schedule reinvestments with greater accuracy, up to 10–15 years in advance.
Cost Efficiency: Better targeting of renovation work can reduce total project costs by 20–30%.

By merging machine learning insights with consulting expertise, we help utilities plan smarter, extend asset lifetimes, and make confident, long-term decisions — without unnecessary fieldwork or overinvestment.

More intelligent and Efficient Asset Insights through Drone Technology and AI