Short description of the organization
Donecle SAS is a French company, based in Toulouse, developing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for automated visual inspection of surfaces such as aircrafts, wind turbines, buildings, etc. Key technologies include laser positioning technology enabling autonomous indoor and outdoor flight, and novel image processing techniques for real-time defect detection.With an initial focus on aircraft inspections, Donecle has developed the DCL-8XLDR aircraft inspection drone, combining laser navigation and high resolution imaging to assess aircraft structures. Donecle has signed pilot-deployment contracts with multiple airlines, and the product is currently commercialized by Donecle and under Airbus branding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0VtWczvU6s.
Indoor drone inspection (Air France) – Laser Navigation
Donecle has a highly skilled research team’ of approximately 15 people that covers control theory, software, image processing and mechanical experts to work on both autonomous UAS and vision processing. The team includes multiple PhD’s with two industrial thesis underway, one with ISAE-SUPAERO and the other with LAAS-CNRS.
Donecle also has a small-volume drone production and testing facility, with the capability to design, prototype and produce state-of-the-art drones. The DCL-8XLDR drones are entirely designed, assembled, cabled and tested in-house, Donecle only subcontracts production of some electronic and mechanical parts, such as CNC-machined carbon fiber and aluminum parts.
Involved Staffs
Mathieu Claybrough
Role in the AERIAL-CORE project and main tasks
Donecle will lead tasks 8.3 and 9.4. Donecle’s key contributions are the development, production, testing and integration of two aerial co-worker platforms capable of physical interaction, in collaboration with LAAS-CNRS. As an industrial partner, Donecle will also work on industrial exploitation and participate in the management of the industry executive committee.