Drones equipped with cameras and sensors can provide efficient and comprehensive inspections of data centre infrastructure, including land, roofs, facades, solar panels and critical equipment installations. Drones can be helpful to regularly inspect Transformers & Diesel Generators for any abnormal Hotspots and take action before time. This helps in early detection of issues to prevent downtime and optimize maintenance schedules.

Example: Google has used drones with thermal imaging cameras to inspect its data center roofs for potential leaks or structural issues, allowing proactive maintenance to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Drones can access hard-to-reach areas within data centers, such as HVAC systems or cable installations, to perform routine maintenance checks. This proactive approach ensures optimal performance and reduces the risk of equipment failures. schedules.

Example: Facebook has explored using drones to monitor and maintain its data center infrastructure, capturing detailed imagery for inspection purposes and enabling timely maintenance interventions.

Drones can be deployed for real-time surveillance of data center premises, detecting unauthorized access or security breaches. They provide enhanced situational awareness and enable rapid response to security threats. Equipped with 4K cameras, LiDAR and infrared, the drones perform regular autonomous perimeter checks. If we think it’s somebody trying to climb over the fence or cut it, the drone will automatically launch towards that sensor and get eyes on it.”

Example: Microsoft uses drones for security surveillance at its data centers, patrolling perimeters and critical areas to monitor for suspicious activities and ensure physical security.

Anti-Drone Systems  – Modern data centers must meet very high security standards. Drones are a new threat to challenge existing security systems. Drones can easily enter a protected perimeter and use cameras to surveil property, people and operations. A data center without knowledge of drone activity in their airspace may open a dragnet of new security issues. Drones and other systems can be used to mitigate any aerial attacks to the data center facility

Drones can automate inventory tracking by scanning RFID tags or barcodes on equipment and components stored in data centers. Also Drones can be used for keeping a check on inventory during the building phases. All of this streamlines asset management processes and improves inventory accuracy.

Example: Amazon employs drones in its warehouses for inventory management, a similar application to data centers, to track and manage inventory levels more efficiently.