Perth-based Nexxis Technology has completed the acquisition of BladeBUG, a UK-based robotics company developing advanced solutions for wind turbine inspection and maintenance.
BladeBUG has developed a suction-based robotic platform designed to move across wind turbine blades and other non-ferrous or composite surfaces. Nexxis Technology’s Magneto robotic platform uses electromagnetic adhesion to operate on ferrous metal structures.
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Bringing these capabilities together will allow the combined business to address a wider range of surfaces, assets and operating environments. Nexxis also plans to integrate its modular system architecture, artificial intelligence, machine vision, and data capabilities into future product development.
The acquisition will strengthen the companies’ ability to deliver robotic solutions that improve inspection quality, reduce human exposure to hazardous work and provide better data for asset owners and operators.
“BladeBUG was founded to make wind turbine inspection and maintenance safer, faster and more effective,” BladeBUG founder and CEO Chris Cieslak said.
“Joining Nexxis gives our team access to complementary technology, global market reach and additional resources to accelerate our development, go-to-market strategy and ability to scale. We are excited about what our teams can achieve together for customers and the wider renewable-energy industry.”
Nexxis Technology founder and CEO Jason De Silveira said the acquisition would extend the company’s technology into a wider range of industries and applications.
“By bringing together BladeBUG’s suction technology, our Magneto electromagnetic platform, modular architecture, and AI capabilities, we can address more surfaces and solve more complex inspection challenges.”
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Robotics and renewables are becoming increasingly intertwined, with many companies using robotic systems to deploy and maintain solar panels.
For example, Enel Green Power—in collaboration with Sicilian startup REIWA—utilises SandStorm, an advanced cleaning robot that autonomously moves along rows of solar panels to clean them before returning to a docking station to recharge.
