Pipeline operators are obliged to regularly monitor their pipeline grid for potential third-party interferences (TPI). They need a reliable, cost-effective method to acquire and analyze aerial images of their pipeline in an automated process. This paper presents the concept of AIMI (Airborne Intelligent Monitoring of Infrastructures), a project initiated 2020 at Thyssengas.

Until now, pipeline inspection is performed by helicopters. The events, reported by the co-pilot, are often unspecific and located inaccurately, which make the inspection at the ground more time consuming. Helicopters are increasingly perceived as a nuisance to people and the environment because of their noise and CO2 emissions. Thyssengas, in cooperation with Open Grid Europe is working on a system that combines drone-, sensor-, and AI technologies to solve those issues.

The aim is to provide an end-to-end service that enables a pipeline monitoring process, which can be adapted to the requirements of infrastructure network operators.