A Hydrogen-Powered Airship Sets Course for Greener Aerial Inspections - Tech Briefs

Chitra Sethi

Pipeline inspection is a crucial aspect of maintaining the integrity, safety, and reliability of the planet’s energy infrastructure. However, due to cost and scale challenges, infrastructure operators struggle to conduct accurate, large-scale inspections. A French startup, HyLight, offers a solution to precisely detect issues on the infrastructure, such as methane leaks on pipelines and defects on power lines at an industrial scale, without emitting greenhouse gases.

“Today, inspection methods are various. From the ground by foot and cars; from the air by helicopters, airplanes, and drones,” said Martin Bocken, CEO at HyLight. “All methods present advantages and drawbacks: Helicopters, while offering medium flight times and high payload capacities, are associated with significant carbon footprints and substantial costs. Quadcopter drones are emission-free but have limited payload and short flight durations. Plane drones and airplanes offer extended flight range and duration but lack the ability to hover and since they travel fast, do not provide good quality data. Additionally, all of the existing solutions present high operational risks.”

The company’s hydrogen-powered airship drone, called HyLighter, is a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to drones, helicopters, and satellites for aerial inspection. “Its design enables long flights with minimal energy use, lowering operational costs. With stable hovering and multi-sensor capabilities, it delivers detailed inspection data efficiently,” said Bocken.

Equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell, the HyLighter is a cross between drone and airship technology. Like a drone, it is easy to control and transport. And, like an airship, it is extremely stable and energy-efficient, allowing it to fly for up to 10 hours, over a distance of 350 km.

“Although larger than traditional drones,” said Bocken, “it's easy to deploy with proper planning, requiring minimal resources for takeoff and landing. The HyLighter has been designed to fit while operational in a container. Its slow, predictable movement enhances safety, making it ideal for large-scale infrastructure inspections.”

Its flight speed of 35 km/h, HD cameras, and sensors (LiDAR, thermal, infrared, etc.) ensure optimal precision for any type of mission. By making flights more efficient, the HyLighter enables the detection of previously uncollected data. Thanks to its cameras and computer systems, the HyLighter is able to transmit data securely, generate detailed reports, and draw up control or forecast plans to prevent breakdowns or accidents.

INNOVATORS: Martin Bocken, CEO, Josef Rokusek, CTO, and Thomas Laporte, CBO.

INNOVATION: A hydrogen-powered airship that can precisely detect issues on energy infrastructure at an industrial scale without emitting greenhouse gases.

IMPACT: Drastically reduce inspection costs and enable ultra-precise data to be collected over large areas.

Are these airships safe? According to Bocken, “Hydrogen-powered airship drones are designed with safety as a top priority, particularly for urban areas. Due to their lightweight structure and slower speeds, they carry 90 percent less risk of damage or injury compared to drones with similar payloads, significantly minimizing potential harm in case of impact. Their high visibility and predictability further enhance aerial safety for easy detectability and avoidance. These airships follow the same regulations as regular drones, but their lower risk profile makes them safer for urban environments. HyLight is working closely with aviation authorities to ensure full compliance with highest safety and operational standards.”

The HyLighter is commonly used for infrastructure inspections, such as powerline, pipeline, and landfill inspection, as well as environmental monitoring and detecting methane leaks. Its ability to perform long-duration, precise, and emissions-free inspections makes it ideal for industries focused on sustainability and safety.

“The technology has already been successfully deployed in France for powerline inspections and pipeline monitoring,” said Bocken. “We are now working on expanding commercialization, with further international deployments expected by 2025 in Europe and 2026 globally after additional testing and regulatory approvals.”

Small But Mighty: Stratospheric Microballooons

Drones Detect, Monitor, and Prevent Wildfires

Amateur Drone Videos Could Aid Natural Disaster Damage Assessment

Following the successful completion of its recent $4M funding round, the HyLight team is focused on several key next steps. These include accelerating the development and testing of the hydrogen-powered airship drone, scaling up production capabilities, and advancing the certification process with regulatory authorities. HyLight also plans to explore new international markets while continuing to refine its autonomous systems and sensor technologies to enhance the airship’s capabilities.

This article was written by Chitra Sethi, Editorial Director, SAE Media Group. For more information, visit here .