Jaguar Land Rover is piloting drone technology at its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, cutting inspection times by up to 95% while improving workplace safety.
The automotive manufacturer is using the Elios 3 drone by Flyability to inspect machinery and access hard-to-reach areas within the facility. The technology has reduced what was previously a four-hour manual inspection process to just 10 minutes.
The drone enables maintenance teams to inspect equipment from the factory floor without requiring elevated platforms, eliminating associated risks. Operated through a tablet interface, the device provides real-time 3D mapping to help identify and resolve maintenance issues.
Nigel Blenkinsop, Executive Director of Industrial Operations at JLR, said the trial represents part of the company’s broader transformation of its manufacturing facilities. He emphasized that the technology improves employee safety, reduces maintenance downtime, and helps upskill workers in digital technologies.
The drone employs Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, which emit laser pulses that bounce off objects to calculate distances and create detailed three-dimensional maps. It also features thermal imaging capabilities to detect overheating components and insulation failures, potentially improving energy efficiency and reducing operational emissions.
Project Engineer Shantnu Mehta, who operates the drone, described learning the technology as an unexpected but valuable addition to his skill set and expressed pride in contributing to the company’s factory transformation efforts.
Following the successful Wolverhampton trial, JLR plans to expand the programme to its Logistics Operations Centre in Solihull, which spans approximately 91,800 square meters. At this location, drones equipped with barcode scanners will automate inventory checks, replacing manual stocktaking processes.
The initiative forms part of JLR’s £18 billion investment programme and its Future Skills Programme, which aims to train 29,000 employees in electrification and digital technologies. The project is being developed through the company’s Open Innovation programme, which has engaged with over 2,500 start-ups globally since its launch in April 2022, resulting in 36 formal collaborations.
The Reimagine strategy underpins JLR’s transformation plans, with the company targeting carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, and operations by 2039. Electrification remains central to this strategy, with each brand set to offer a pure electric model before the end of the decade.