Austin, Texas-based HUVRData LLC – a drone-based data analytics provider for wind, solar, oil and gas, and precision agriculture markets – has received $2 million in funding from angel investment organizations, including Central Texas Angel Network, Houston Angel Network and the Texas HALO Fund.
Earlier this year, HUVR received a commercial drone exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate the AscTec Falcon 8 for precision agriculture and aerial surveys of wind farms; solar arrays; and industrial infrastructure such as electrical towers, flare stacks and pipelines.
HUVR says it is currently focused on working with wind farm owners and repair companies to perform regular and ongoing turbine assessments of entire wind farms by identifying and diagnosing damage from cracks, lightning strikes and more. The company says these methods are safer and at least four times faster than current manual methods.
The cloud-based delivery system allows customers to access their information in real time and have it available in the secure platform. Today, traditional, labor-intensive inspection methods allow for only approximately 30% of a fleet of turbines to be inspected annually, says HUVR. With this drone-based system, an entire wind farm can be monitored frequently and thoroughly, and problems can be spotted immediately.
The company has already engaged customers in the wind industry and is planning to expand to oil and gas, solar, and precision agriculture. In June, HUVR provided its drone services for flood-relief efforts in Texas.
‘HUVR combines the vision and technology valuable to the Houston-based oil and gas industry,’ says Bill Hughes, deal lead for the Houston Angel Network. ‘HUVR's impact can span the Gulf Coast and beyond; investors saw the clear value HUVR can deliver in multiple segments of the energy industry.’
