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The 2024 Flyability User Conference, held in Switzerland, was an overwhelming success. Initially expecting around 150 participants, the event sold out with a final turnout of 180 attendees. The Alpha-Palmiers Hotel in central Lausanne provided a perfect setting for this gathering, where Flyability’s team joined users from across the globe to connect and share insights.
One of the most anticipated moments was the official launch of the Elios 3's new ultrasonic thickness (UT) payload. Introduced by co-founder and CEO Patrick Thévoz, the presentation was delivered by Flyability’s CTO, Adrien Briod, who shared the four-year development journey with both in-person guests and over 600 viewers watching live online. This UT payload had been a long-term goal since the Elios 2, but it was the modular design of the Elios 3 that finally made it possible. Developed in collaboration with Cygnus Instruments, a leader in ultrasonic thickness measurement with over 40 years of expertise, the payload demonstrated its capabilities during a dramatic demo—Adrien caught the Elios 3 mid-air, drawing cheers from the audience.
Stefano Zampieri, Flyability’s product manager for the UT payload, emphasized that the device underwent more than 100 days of field testing to ensure it could perform reliably in tough environments. Features like the articulated arm and cleaning module make it ideal for challenging industrial settings. Industry experts—including Malcolm Connolly, Courtland Penk, and Danny Landry—shared their experiences as beta testers and discussed how the UT payload could revolutionize various sectors.
The conference featured a wide range of guest speakers from around the world, including representatives from China, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. Topics ranged from AI-assisted data analysis in marine inspections to the ROI of drone use in agriculture and infrastructure. One standout session was from Delta Scan’s Darryl Epstein, who highlighted how detailed visualizations help prove the value of drone-based inspections. Meanwhile, DEKRA Visatec’s Marcus Jocham shared how drones have improved safety in asset inspections.
In the energy sector, Vattenfall’s Anders Lindstrom spoke about the evolution of Flyability’s technology from the Elios 1 to the Elios 3, showcasing its role in hydro and nuclear plant inspections. A panel on nuclear waste management included Sellafield’s Amanda Smith and Kevin Young, who emphasized how the Elios 3 allows safer access to critical areas.
On the second day, Professor Jonathan Li from the University of Waterloo discussed the benefits of drone-based LiDAR in mining, while Suez Sevesc’s Anthony da Silva explored the role of drones in sewer inspections. TEXO’s James Arnott concluded the talks with an insightful look at how the Elios 3 is transforming offshore oil and gas operations.
Beyond the presentations, the networking dinner at Domaine de la Crausaz offered a relaxed setting for attendees to mingle. The evening was filled with laughter, music, and even impromptu performances by conference guests, making it a memorable night in the vineyards.
A special session called “the Fishbowl†showcased the diverse applications of the Elios drone. Presenters from different industries shared their stories, from emergency response in the UK to firefighting in Germany—though one speaker’s humorous take on using the Elios in extreme heat left the Flyability team visibly concerned!
Overall, the 2024 User Conference was a landmark event, bringing together over 30 countries and dozens of industries. It not only celebrated the launch of the UT payload but also inspired future innovations. As Patrick Thévoz said, “It was incredible to see the excitement and hear the feedback from real users.†Flyability is already planning the next event and is eager to continue sharing the future of drone inspection with the global community.
June 25, 2025