Toronto, Ontario, Canada — Skygauge Robotics is officially taking surface preparation to new heights — literally. We are thrilled to introduce our new Bristle Blaster® payload for the Skygauge drone, designed to handle the toughest corrosion challenges without the need for scaffolding or ropes.
Through a formal collaboration with MontiPower®, we’ve integrated their world-renowned, proprietary technology directly onto our drone. For anyone in the maintenance world, this is a massive shift: we’ve taken the gold standard of “blasting without grit” and put it on a platform that can fly, touch, and automatically hold appropriate force during contact.
Better Prep Means Better NDT Data
One of the biggest hurdles for NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) by drone has been surface contamination — scale, thick coatings, and corrosion can mask defects and ruin sensor readings.
By using the Skygauge Bristle Blaster® payload, inspection teams can now achieve industrial-grade cleanliness and a surface profile suitable for NDT. This ensures that UT (Ultrasonic Testing) or other sensors get the clean contact they need for accurate data, all while keeping inspectors safely on the ground.
The Full Maintenance Loop: Prep, Repair, and Paint
This isn't just about cleaning — it’s about enabling a complete repair cycle. The Skygauge is now a true end-to-end maintenance tool:
• The Prep: Use the Bristle Blaster® payload to remove spot rust and create the proper anchor profile required for high-performance coatings.
• The Protect: Switch to Skygauge coating payloads to immediately seal the prepared area.
This workflow allows crews to identify corrosion, prep the surface to industrial standards, and coat it with industrial epoxy. It’s a faster way to stop spot rust before it develops into structural failure.
Proven in the Field
This setup isn’t a prototype — it’s already in operation. The solution has been proven under contract with the Canadian Navy, tackling complex surface preparation work on active vessels. Today, leading service providers are using it to prepare surfaces for NDT by drone and perform targeted rust repair.
A Word from Leadership
“By integrating the MontiPower Bristle Blaster® technology with The Skygauge, we’ve solved a massive bottleneck in industrial inspection and maintenance. We can now reach areas with a drone that previously required complex scaffolding or rope access, performing high-quality surface prep in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the risk.”
— Richard Shatilla, CEO, Skygauge Robotics
“We are proud to see our technology take flight with Skygauge. The collaboration represents one of several initiatives where MontiPower’s bristle blasting technology is being adapted for aerial and robotic applications. This implementation specifically enables the precision and power of the Bristle Blaster® to be applied to the most challenging environments with unprecedented ease.”
— Frits Doddema, CEO, MontiPower®
See it Live at AMPP in Houston
We’ll be showcasing the new Bristle Blaster® payload at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Houston, Texas from March 15 -19, 2026.
Visit the MontiPower® and BlastOne booths to see the technology up close and speak with our team about how the Skygauge can integrate into your maintenance and inspection workflows.
About Skygauge Robotics
Skygauge Robotics is building a workforce in the sky. Unlike standard visual drones, the Skygauge is able to apply physical force with specialty payloads. By allowing sensors and tools to make contact with structures, Skygauge enables faster, safer, and more cost-effective inspections and maintenance for the world’s most critical infrastructure.
For more info, visit: www.skygauge.co
Company contact:
Jarett Nickerson
Vice President, Sales
jnickerson@skygauge.co
+1.888.306.6448
About MontiPower®
MontiPower® develops and manufactures advanced surface preparation technologies used in demanding industrial applications worldwide. Its Bristle Blaster® and MBX® systems deliver certified surface roughness and cleaning performance, setting the standard for environmentally friendly, high-quality mechanical surface preparation.
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