A UK consortium has announced a project to explore how drone and advanced sensing technologies can support more efficient, consistent and data-driven inspection of critical infrastructure.

Aptly named STRUCTURE and comprising drone company Evolve Dynamics, Birmingham City University, and National Highways, the project seeks to revolutionise the maintenance of thousands of masonry bridges across the UK with the deployment of cutting-edge drone technology to automate their inspection, with the potential to save national infrastructure organisations significant costs.

“By enabling earlier identification of structural issues and improving the quality of inspection data, the new approach aims to reduce disruption, optimise maintenance cycles and deliver long-term cost savings,” Evolve Dynamics said in a statement.

“STRUCTURE will be centred on Evolve Dynamics’ WOLFE platform, a British-built 4kg UAS (unmanned aerial system) designed for reliability in demanding environments and the rapid integration of advanced sensor payloads.

“Engineers will equip WOLFE with sensing technologies capable of detecting surface and subsurface defects, supporting more consistent and repeatable inspection of masonry structures.”

According to the manufacturer, the Wolfe is a sub-4 kg, ultra-rugged UAS built for extended missions in the harshest environments.

"Embodying strength, stealth, and intelligence, Wolfe is designed to endure and to reshape modern ISR tactics. Its exceptional stability in high winds and extended flight time make it an invaluable asset for persistent surveillance and reconnaissance.

"Key features of Wolfe include:

• Unmatched wind stability: Handles sustained winds of up to 20 m/s (45 mph).
• Extended mission capability: Up to 60 minutes of flight time, with hot-swappable power for continuous operation and compatibility with the Infinity Tether for multi-day deployments.
• Superior weatherproofing: IP55 rated for reliable operation in rain, dust, and salt-laden coastal air.
• Ultra-rugged construction: Built to survive with a modular, field-repairable design for maximum uptime.
• Enhanced stealth and discretion: Low acoustic output for covert operations.
• Safe stand-off distance: High definition 3-axis dual-camera gimbal enables target recognition without detection risk.
• Versatile deployment: Lightweight (<4kg) and backpack deployable, ready to fly in under 90 seconds from any location."

Data captured by the drone will be analysed using algorithms developed by Birmingham City University’s School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering.

“We have developed our systems to perform reliably in complex, real-world environments,” Evolve Dynamics’ CEO Tom Redman commented.

“The STRUCTURE project is an opportunity to apply that capability to UK infrastructure, working alongside British partners to improve how critical assets are monitored and maintained. It reflects a broader trend where technology proven in high-demand environments is now being applied to national infrastructure.”

These models will support the development of automated crack detection and predictive maintenance tools, helping to identify where intervention may be required before faults become critical.

National Highways will support the programme by providing access to a range of structures for testing and validation, ensuring the technology is assessed against real-world infrastructure challenges.

“This project demonstrates how research-led innovation can transform the management of ageing infrastructure,” said Dr Saeed Talebi, Associate Professor of Digital Built Environment at Birmingham City University.

“It puts knowledge developed in the UK to work on the UK’s own critical assets. By combining Birmingham City University’s expertise in structural health monitoring, digital built environment and AI-driven data analytics with advanced drone technology, we are developing automated tools that detect defects early and provide more accurate insights into asset condition.

“The result is safer journeys for the public, less disruption across the network, and a longer life for thousands of masonry bridges, many of which form an important part of our national heritage.”

Fiona Smith, Senior Civil Engineer, National Highways also chipped in.

“Innovation is key to helping us manage and maintain the structures within the Historical Railways Estate more effectively,” she said.

“This project will explore how drone technology and advanced data analysis can improve the way we inspect our assets, providing higher-quality information to support maintenance decisions, reduce disruption, and help protect these important heritage assets for the future while delivering better value for money.”

Founded in 2016, drone company Evolve Dynamics’ ambition is to shape a safer and more secure future through the delivery of unparalleled autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) solutions.

Offering services to defence, security and infrastructure industries, the company’s primary focus is on advancing automation, enhancing survivability, and the integration of state-of-the-art technologies.