The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has granted Uncrewed Aircraft System Conditional Approval by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to sees.ai, making it one of a very small number of organisations to have been cleared through this particular route, and enabling the company to begin deploying its centrally controlled, autonomous drones in the United States for the close-quarter inspection of high-voltage electricity infrastructure.
Developed and operated as a comprehensive, end-to-end platform that encompasses both the aircraft and the handling of the data it captures, the sees.ai system has been purpose-built for use within critical national infrastructure, where the delivery of consistent, engineering-grade inspection data is a fundamental requirement.
The approval comes as a result of sees.ai’s submission under the FCC’s Conditional Approval pathway, which was established following a tightening of controls by U.S. government departments over drone supply chains. Those measures restricted platforms with origins outside the United States from being used in critical infrastructure environments. The pathway was designed to give systems that can provide adequate evidence of their security, integrity and supply chain robustness a viable route to gaining authorisation for use in the United States.
The Conditional Approval granted by the FCC clears sees.ai to deploy centrally controlled, autonomous drones across the United States, enabling close-quarter inspection of high-voltage electricity infrastructure and equipping utility companies with the data they need to assess the condition of their assets and to plan effectively for the long-term future of their networks.
John McKenna, CEO of sees.ai, said: “This FCC conditional approval is an important step in providing U.S. grid operators with the reliable, engineering-grade inspection data they need, captured at scale. Regulatory alignment is now a defining factor in the widespread adoption of drone technology in the U.S., and we are ready to meet that demand.”
Mounting pressures are bearing down on the U.S. electricity grid from multiple directions, including the deterioration of ageing infrastructure, rapidly increasing demand driven by the growth of artificial intelligence, ongoing efforts to decarbonise transport and heating, the variable nature of power generation from renewable sources, and the growing impact of extreme weather events. Against this backdrop, utility companies are placing increasing weight on maintaining consistent visibility of asset condition and on sourcing technology from providers with demonstrable security credentials and a clear record of regulatory compliance.
The FCC Conditional Approval puts sees.ai in a strong position to work in direct partnership with transmission and distribution operators throughout the U.S. as those organisations press ahead with modernising their inspection programmes and reinforcing the resilience of their networks.
