As part of its ongoing contribution to European research and innovation in critical infrastructure monitoring, SKYLD LTD recently conducted UAV-based catenary inspection flights in Slovenia, in collaboration with Slovenske železnice – Potniški promet (Slovenian Railways – Passenger Transport).
This activity took place under the SUNRISE project, a Horizon Europe initiative focused on strengthening surveillance, situational awareness, and the resilience of transport infrastructure using emerging technologies — including autonomous drones, AI-powered analytics, and critically, edge computing.
Pioneering Onboard Intelligence for Rail Inspections
During the field trials, SKYLD’s UAV operators executed a series of autonomous and semi-autonomous missions over active railway corridors to inspect overhead contact lines (catenaries) and related infrastructure.
What sets this deployment apart is the use of edge computing: onboard processing of inspection data—directly on the drone—enabling real-time decision-making and data triage without relying on ground-based infrastructure or connectivity.
This approach provides a leap forward in operational efficiency and situational responsiveness, offering:
Remote access to elevated and hazardous assets, without disrupting railway operations
High-resolution imagery & thermal data processed on-board in real time
Reduced inspection time and minimal personnel risk
A Strategic Step Toward Smarter, Safer Railways
This field deployment illustrates SKYLD’s growing role in delivering dual-use UAV technologies designed for real-world mission scenarios. The project not only aligns with the goals of SUNRISE, but also signals a broader shift toward intelligent, in-situ sensing platforms capable of autonomous operations in critical infrastructure environments.
The successful collaboration with Slovenske železnice – Potniški promet (https://potniski.sz.si/en/) underscores the practical value of such technologies and the readiness of SKYLD’s solutions for integration into national inspection and monitoring strategies.
Stay connected with SKYLD LTD for more updates on SUNRISE and our wider involvement in pioneering drone-based solutions for defence, security, and infrastructure applications.
Location: Slovenia
Partner: Slovenske železnice – Potniški promet
Activity Period: Q2 2025
Project: SUNRISE (Horizon Europe)
#SKYLD #SUNRISE_EU #UAVInspection #RailwaySafety #CatenaryInspection #CriticalInfrastructure #DroneTechnology #SmartMonitoring #EUProjects #Slovenia #RailInnovation
