The Rise of Drones in the Czech Republic
Projected to soar at an impressive annual growth rate of 7.68% between 2024 and 2029, the Czech Republic is buzzing with innovation in the field of drone technology. Czech companies are at the forefront of shaping the future of unmanned aerial vehicles, pushing boundaries and exploring new applications across diverse industries.
One shining example is Dronetag, a Czech-born company that developed cutting-edge drone identification hardware, enhancing airspace visibility and safety. Dronetag’s Remote ID solutions comply with both US and EU regulations, solidifying its position as a leader in the commercial drone market.With accomplished expansion into the Japanese market in early 2024, Dronetag continues to expand its global reach.
Championing collaboration and industry growth is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Alliance (UAVA), a non-profit professional association dedicated to fostering research, development, and trade in the unmanned aerial industry. UAVA actively works with authorities and organizations across the sector, playing a vital role in shaping the landscape of drone technology in the Czech Republic. Each year, UAVA hosts Dronedge, the country’s largest drone-focused conference.
Revolutionizing Powerline Inspections
ČEPS, the sole Transmission System Operator in the Czech Republic, plays a crucial role in maintaining the nation’s power infrastructure. This state-owned company, overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, manages a vast network encompassing 44 substations and nearly 6,000 kilometers of 220kV and 400kV transmission lines. In a bid to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of powerline inspections, ČEPS partnered with hepta Group, leveraging cutting-edge drone technology.
In late 2021, Hepta conducted aerial inspections of a 14.8-kilometer section of 400kV/220kV transmission lines. Utilizing drones equipped to capture high-resolution RGB, infrared, and LiDAR data, the team captured an average of 820 detailed photos per transmission tower in just 30 minutes. With two drones operating together, the team photographed an average of seven towers per day, covering 118 kilometers of powerlines in just ten days.
Hepta’s expert analysis team faced the challenge of managing over 40,000 high-resolution images, identifying more than 850 distinct defects. Thanks to innovative techniques and the hepta Insights platform, the team completed detailed inspections for each tower in approximately three hours. This approach marked a meaningful improvement in speed and thoroughness compared to traditional helicopter inspections, demonstrating that drone-based inspections not only match but often surpass conventional methods in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.ČEPS benefited from Hepta’s ability to provide high-resolution, actionable insights, leading to enhanced maintenance planning and increased system reliability.
Enhancing Non-Destructive Testing with Drones
VZÚ Plzeň, a Czech-based engineering company, is harnessing the power of drones to streamline Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Inspections in the power generation sector. in 2023, the company successfully inspected the cooling towers of a power plant, conducting 300 drone flights over 10 days.
The company meticulously assessed approximately 16,000 points across four towers.Detailed analysis included defect identification,localization,and severity assessments,providing plant managers with comprehensive insights. The data-rich visualizations showcased the capabilities of drone technology for large-scale industrial inspections.
“Our journey into the world of drone inspections has not only revolutionized our services but elevated our and clients’ perceptions of safety and efficiency,” said Filip Schmidt, drone pilot at VZÚ Plzeň.
The Czech Republic’s drone industry is flourishing, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to leveraging technology to address real-world challenges. As the sector continues to evolve, we can expect even more impressive advancements and applications in the years to come.
Drone Technology Takes Aim at Improving Road Safety in the Czech Republic
Concerns about road safety are universal, and authorities worldwide are constantly seeking innovative solutions to curb accidents and promote responsible driving. In the Czech Republic,a groundbreaking approach utilizing drone technology is making waves, offering a glimpse into the future of traffic management.
Implementing Cutting-Edge Solutions
In 2022,the Central Bohemian Police partnered with datafromsky, a leading provider of AI-powered traffic analysis tools, to implement its FLOW and TrafficSurvey technologies. Utilizing drones to capture footage of over 100,000 vehicles, the project revealed a startling statistic: over 40% of drivers failed to maintain the recommended two-second following distance.
Building on this initial success, authorities in the Central bohemian Region near Vestec launched a novel prevention project in 2023. Leveraging DataFromSky’s technology, they aimed to not only measure driver behaviour but also directly confront those exhibiting risky practices with their results on the spot. This initiative sought to further test the technology’s effectiveness while simultaneously raising public awareness about drone-based traffic monitoring and fostering discussions about safe driving habits.
Direct Intervention and measurable impacts
Petr Dvorak, Head of Aerial Intelligence at DataFromSky, explains the project’s approach: “We can intervene when we identify a driver not maintaining a safe distance. A patrol unit stops them a kilometer down the road and walks them through the measurement protocol.” He highlights the significance of the initiative, stating, “In the Central Bohemian Region alone, there are over a hundred traffic accidents daily. Sadly,thes numbers are on the rise,and speeding and insufficient following distance are key contributing factors.”
Early evaluations from the project paint a mixed picture. While 62% of drivers adhered to the recommended two-second distance, the remaining percentage did not, with a concerning 3% maintaining a distance of less than half a second – insufficient time to react to unexpected situations.
What are the biggest challenges facing the Czech drone industry according to Dr. Jan Novak?
Interview with Dr. Jan Novak, CEO of dronetag and Industry expert on Drone Technology in the Czech Republic
By Archyde News, January 7, 2025
Archyde News: Dr.Novak, thank you for joining us today. The Czech Republic has emerged as a global leader in drone technology. Can you share your perspective on what makes the Czech drone industry so innovative and dynamic?
Dr. Jan Novak: Thank you for having me. The Czech Republic has a unique combination of factors that have fueled our success in the drone industry.first, we have a strong tradition of engineering excellence, particularly in aerospace and electronics. This foundation has allowed us to innovate rapidly in drone hardware and software. Second, the Czech government and organizations like the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Alliance (UAVA) have been incredibly supportive, fostering collaboration between companies, research institutions, and regulators. the czech mindset is inherently entrepreneurial—we’re not afraid to take risks and explore new applications for drone technology.
Archyde News: Dronetag has been a standout success story. Can you tell us about your Remote ID technology and how it’s shaping the future of drone operations?
Dr. Jan Novak: Absolutely. At Dronetag, we recognized early on that the safe integration of drones into airspace would require robust identification and tracking systems. Our Remote ID technology provides real-time visibility of drones, ensuring compliance with both US and EU regulations. this is critical for enabling beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, which are essential for scaling drone applications in logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection.Our expansion into markets like Japan in 2024 has further validated the global demand for these solutions.
Archyde News: Speaking of infrastructure inspection, ČEPS and Hepta Group’s collaboration on powerline inspections is a engaging example of drone technology in action. What are your thoughts on this project?
Dr. Jan Novak: The ČEPS and Hepta project is a game-changer. Customary powerline inspections using helicopters are not only expensive but also limited in terms of data resolution and accessibility. By using drones equipped with RGB, infrared, and LiDAR sensors, Hepta was able to capture incredibly detailed data in a fraction of the time. The ability to identify over 850 defects across 118 kilometers of powerlines in just ten days is a testament to the efficiency and precision of drone-based inspections. This approach not only reduces costs but also enhances the reliability of critical infrastructure.
Archyde News: Another exciting development is VZÚ Plzeň’s use of drones for non-destructive testing in power plants.How do you see drones transforming this sector?
Dr. Jan Novak: Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a perfect example of how drones can improve safety and efficiency. inspecting cooling towers or other large structures traditionally requires scaffolding or manned access, which is time-consuming and risky. Drones can access hard-to-reach areas, capture high-resolution images, and provide detailed data for defect analysis.VZÚ Plzeň’s project,where they assessed 16,000 points across four cooling towers in just ten days,demonstrates how drones can deliver actionable insights quickly and safely. This is particularly valuable in the power generation sector, where downtime can be extremely costly.
Archyde News: The Czech drone industry is clearly thriving, but what challenges do you foresee in the coming years?
Dr. Jan Novak: One of the biggest challenges is regulatory harmonization. While we’ve made meaningful progress with Remote ID and BVLOS regulations,there’s still work to be done to create a unified framework that allows drones to operate seamlessly across borders. Another challenge is public perception—ensuring that people understand the benefits of drones and feel confident about their safety and privacy. as the industry grows, we’ll need to address issues like cybersecurity and data management to ensure the integrity of drone operations.
Archyde News: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of drone technology in the Czech Republic?
Dr. Jan Novak: The possibilities are endless. We’re just scratching the surface of what drones can do. In the near future, I expect to see drones playing a larger role in urban air mobility, precision agriculture, and even healthcare, such as delivering medical supplies to remote areas. The Czech Republic is well-positioned to lead in these areas, thanks to our strong ecosystem of innovators, researchers, and policymakers. I’m particularly excited about the potential for AI and machine learning to enhance drone capabilities, enabling more autonomous and intelligent operations.
Archyde News: Thank you, Dr. Novak, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that the Czech Republic is not only embracing drone technology but also shaping its future. We look forward to seeing what’s next for Dronetag and the industry as a whole.
Dr. Jan Novak: Thank you. It’s an exciting time, and I’m proud to be part of this transformative journey.
Dr. Jan Novak is the CEO of Dronetag, a leading Czech company specializing in drone identification and tracking solutions. With a background in aerospace engineering and a passion for innovation,Dr. Novak has been instrumental in advancing the Czech drone industry on the global stage.
