How drones, robotics and VR are changing industrial gases

Drones, robots and virtual reality might have sounded like science fiction a few years ago, but in industrial gas operations, they’re becoming everyday tools. At the EIGA Winter Summit 2025, speakers shared how these technologies are making sites safer, cutting downtime, and even changing the way workers train for hazardous tasks. 

Mark van der Horst, IVG Manager at Air Products, kicked things off with a look at how drones are transforming industrial inspections. “Using drones, we are focused on inspection,” he said, explaining how they’re now being used to check confined spaces and high-risk areas – without putting workers in danger. 

Traditional inspections often mean scaffolding, long shutdowns, and sending people into places they probably shouldn’t be. “There’s quite a lot of risk involved in confined space entry. The drone could help navigating a confined space and it can save you a lot of time on your inspection.”