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Hamilton, ON
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November, 2023
Building Canada’s workforce in the sky
Setting the scene
Scaling a 250-foot industrial chimney stack, or a steel bridge in minus 30-degree weather is about as risky as it sounds. In Canada, regular inspections are necessary to keep elements of our critical infrastructure safe and efficient, especially as they age. But whether it involves skilled workers scaling buildings on ropes, or constructing elaborate scaffolding, manual inspections can be dangerous and expensive.
To address this issue, Hamilton Ontario-based Skygauge Robotics designed a drone that can perform 360-degree remote inspections on any surface, regardless of shape, up to 20 times faster than traditional methods – keeping workers safely on the ground while completing tasks with better precision, accuracy and efficiency.
How we helped
When Skyguage Robotics initially connected with the Accelerated Growth Service (AGS), their technology was ready for real-world testing. This would require funding and a testing partner.
They had previously secured a round of funding from BDC and qualified for additional funding for testing through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program. However, the company had to first find a federal partner willing to work with them.
The AGS Innovation Advisor (IA) working with Skygauge had the perfect candidate.
Thanks to the IA’s considerable knowledge of the ISC program and available testing partners, along with their extensive public sector network, the IA knew of a new drone program that Transport Canada was set to launch. Recognizing the opportunity, the IA got to work connecting Skygauge with Transport Canada to facilitate the partnership, which ultimately resulted in a great testing partner, and eventually, Skyguage landing its first major international client.
The team
Check out the AGS partners who made it possible:
Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)
Innovative Solutions Canada provides funding to Canadian companies to help them take their innovative products and designs to market. Their testing stream enables them to buy and test pre-commercial goods in real-life settings and provide feedback before a product is launched – exactly what Skygauge was looking for.
Transport Canada
Transport Canada needed a specialized drone to conduct non-destructive metal testing on infrastructure in the Port of Saint John, New Brunswick, rail bridges across the country, a steel radio tower and aircraft in arctic regions, and even the Theodore Too Tugboat in Hamilton, Ontario (which is classified as an “irregular surface”). Skygauge was the perfect match for the job.
The support of ISED has been instrumental in achieving our goal of [creating] a reliable, effective, and safe drone workforce in the sky.
Nikita Illushkin,
Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Skygauge Robotics
The impact
Working with ISC and Transport Canada, Skygauge had the opportunity to test their drones in a variety of settings and industrial sectors, from oil and gas infrastructure to shipping and renewables. This opened the door to a number of growth milestones, including securing their first major international client on a long-term contract.
This long-term contract then qualified Skygauge to receive a second round of funding from BDC as a result of their tremendous progress and demonstrated growth.
By leveraging their network, AGS was able to help Skygauge develop valuable partnerships and soar to new heights. With continued support from partners, the company will be able to:
Acquire new customers
Research new uses for drones
Grow their team
Secure additional capital
Skygauge’s innovation and growth also has major implications for Canadians and the economy. Well-positioned to scale and expand commercial activities, Skygauge will be poised to create highly skilled jobs and grow revenue in Ontario.
Skygauge drones will also continue to be game-changing for worker safety and operating costs in industries across Canada, including in the North. Thanks to the testing conducted through ISC and Transport Canada, Skygauge drones are proven to operate effectively and reliably in tricky, harsh environments, including extreme cold – an innovative Canadian solution for a uniquely Canadian challenge.
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