Percepto launches Axion, hardware-agnostic inspection AI platform

Percepto's move to a hardware-agnostic platform marks a shift from selling drones and stations to selling software that works with whatever data collection equipment a customer already has. The company trained Axion's models on more than 100,000 hours of real-world autonomous inspection data gathered over more than a decade, which it now packages as a software-as-a-service product.

The launch follows Percepto's introduction of next-generation inspection software at InnovateEnergy Week in June, suggesting a gradual pivot toward software. Alongside the platform, Percepto has assembled a new leadership team to lead its software-first expansion, with Julien Bellanger as chief executive, joined by Kurt Nantkes and Amir Khoshniyati. Separately, a leading U.S. energy company awarded Percepto a multi-year contract to support its transmission line inspection program, extending a long-standing partnership. That deal, while separate from the Axion launch, indicates continued demand for Percepto's aerial data collection and AI-powered inspection analytics.

Axion is available now, and operators can start with their existing inspection data before adding Percepto's autonomous systems where they need more frequent coverage. Founded in 2014, Percepto operates under a nationwide FAA beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) waiver and is consolidating its engineering, manufacturing and assembly in the United States.