Voliro acquires sensor technology to advance aerial non-destructive testing

Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) is a sophisticated inspection method that detects hidden flaws such as Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)—one of the costliest maintenance challenges in heavy industries. Traditionally, CUI inspections require insulation removal, scaffolding, or rope access, making them expensive, time-intensive, and hazardous. The acquisition follows a year of groundbreaking collaboration between Voliro and Sixpec, including the launch of the world’s first drone-based PEC payload in March 2025. By securing Sixpec’s IP, Voliro ensures long-term innovation and availability for critical industries worldwide.

Building on Sixpec’s foundational work, Giovanni Schirra, Sixpec’s co-founder and PEC technology expert, will continue to collaborate with Voliro to further enhance the airborne PEC solution. His expertise will help ensure the technology meets the demanding needs of industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, and infrastructure.

“Sixpec’s PEC sensor laid the foundation for a breakthrough in non-destructive testing. With this acquisition, Voliro continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to advancing aerial Pulsed Eddy Current technology for CUI detection, while expanding its open platform to deliver safer and more cost-efficient inspections. We are proud to carry this technology forward together with Giovanni and his team’s expertise,” said Florian Gutzwiller, CEO of Voliro.

Voliro PEC Adopted by Leading Service Providers and Field-Proven

Voliro’s Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) technology has now been deployed at scale across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the APAC region, demonstrating global trust and adoption. The world’s first drone-based PEC workflow was pioneered by Osprey Integrity at Canada’s largest refinery, operated by Suncor Energy, where aerial PEC inspections on insulated tanks proved the solution’s resilience and accuracy under extreme conditions. Building on this breakthrough, leading inspection providers such as TICS, Hummingbird, TEAM, and Georgia-Pacific—alongside Osprey Integrity—have since adopted Voliro’s aerial PEC technology for CUI detection. These milestones underscore how, in close partnership with global industry leaders, Voliro is establishing aerial PEC as the trusted standard for non-destructive testing across geographies.

Expanding Voliro’s Open Robotic Platform

The PEC payload was Voliro’s first third-party sensor integration, highlighting the company’s commitment to an open aerial robotics platform that empowers the industry with best-in-class inspection technologies. With Sixpec’s IP now under its wing, Voliro can accelerate further productization and integration of advanced NDT payloads, offering customers unparalleled versatility and inspection performance.

“This acquisition is about our commitment to scaling impact. By combining Voliro’s aerial robotics expertise with Sixpec’s PEC innovation, we are tackling one of the industry’s biggest challenges in a way that prioritizes efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and above all, safety,” added Timo Müller, Co-founder and VP Product at Voliro.

(Press release / SK)