--- title: Apellix engineers safer work environments with Ubuntu powered aerial robotics description: In 2016, 16% of all workplace deaths in the US were attributed to falls. Apellix, a Florida-based start up, who specialise in aerial robotics aims to reduce this number by using their drones in place of workers to complete tasks in elevated or dangerous environments. In tandem, these same aerial robotics can also reduce the […] url: https://canonical.com/blog/apellix-engineers-safer-work-environments-with-ubuntu-powered-aerial-robotics?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Sarah Dickinson](https://canonical.com/blog/author/sarahfd "More about Sarah Dickinson") 9 January 2019 # Apellix engineers safer work environments with Ubuntu powered aerial robotics [case study](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/case-study) [Drones](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/drones) [Internet of things](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/internet-of-things) [IoT](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/iot) [robotics](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/robotics) [Ubuntu Server](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu-server) --- Share the article In 2016, 16% of all workplace deaths in the US were attributed to falls. [Apellix](https://www.apellix.com/), a Florida-based start up, who specialise in aerial robotics aims to reduce this number by using their drones in place of workers to complete tasks in elevated or dangerous environments. In tandem, these same aerial robotics can also reduce the costs of monotonous or time-consuming jobs to save money. Data insights and efficiency enhancements are often seen as two of the biggest benefits that the internet of things can bring to organisations. However, the potential advantages of implementing IoT span far wider than business processes and analytics. As Apellix show, it is no exaggeration to state that IoT can save lives by replacing humans in certain scenarios, with technology. Using US Navy Destroyer and Aircraft Carrier ships as one example, find out how Apellix have built a software-defined drone running Ubuntu to enable an autonomous and highly accurate way to overcome such issues. Download the case study below to find out more including: * The industries and use cases from maritime, to energy, and infrastructure that aerial robotics can address to provide an alternative to putting workers at risk. * How Apellix, using a software-led approach, has facilitated new levels of accuracy and situational awareness beyond what a human could gauge. * How the use of Ubuntu on the aerial robotics and in the cloud has cut their development time in half. First Name: Last Name: Work email: Company Name: Job Title: Phone Number: I agree to receive information about Canonical’s products and services. In submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical’s Privacy Notice](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy/contact) and [Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy). Download ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### Arduino® VENTUNO™ Q is available for pre-order with Ubuntu pre-installed](https://canonical.com/blog/arduino-ventuno-q-is-available-for-pre-order-with-ubuntu-pre-installed) London, UK – August 25, 2026 – Following our initial collaboration announcement in March 2026, Canonical and Arduino (a subsidiary of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.) are excited... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 25 August 2026 [### Advantech AOM-2721 is now Ubuntu Certified](https://canonical.com/blog/advantech-aom-2721-ubuntu-certified) Canonical announces that the Advantech AOM-2721 is officially joining the list of Ubuntu Certified Hardware. [Mikhail Khazov](https://canonical.com/blog/author/khazov-m) 13 August 2026 [### Ubuntu Server: a platform made for enterprise scale](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-server-a-platform-made-for-enterprise-scale) A platform is an environment that allows software to run smoothly across the infrastructure, runtime, and application layers. The key word there is “smoothly”: a good platform... [Rhys Knipe](https://canonical.com/blog/author/rhysknipe) 7 July 2026 [### So you need to add microcontrollers to your fleet: now what?](https://canonical.com/blog/microcontrollers-ubuntu-core-golioth) Your Ubuntu Core fleet is running beautifully. OTA updates roll out in minutes. Every device is strictly confined, cryptographically attested, and carrying a 10 to 15 year long... [Jonathan Beri](https://canonical.com/blog/author/jmberi) 18 June 2026