Lanzarote-based company SKYNOX Drones S.L. has developed innovative drone technology and high-precision sensors powered by artificial intelligence to detect water leaks without the need for excavations or service interruptions.
Recognised as a success story by the Lanzarote and La Graciosa Chamber of Commerce, it is part of the CIDE Network, an initiative by the Canary Islands Government aimed at boosting innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of businesses in the archipelago.
SKYNOX’s technology identifies thermal anomalies compatible with leaks in water supply networks through remote sensing techniques. This approach significantly reduces unnecessary excavations as well as time and costs associated with inspections.
From the outset, the company has focused on converting field data into actionable information, particularly in the crucial area of water management in the Canary Islands. Its thermal inspection protocol earned SKYNOX the Sustainable Talent Award in 2025, presented by the Chamber of Commerce, the Líneas Romero Foundation, and Bankinter.
Currently, SKYNOX is developing SKYNOXwater, a methodology that integrates advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and the digitisation of supply networks to more accurately identify potential leak areas before onsite intervention. The objective is to create a system that monitors the network, prioritises repairs, and helps water authorities and operators minimise unaccounted water losses.
Beyond the water sector, SKYNOX is also working on solutions for inspecting photovoltaic parks and wind turbines using drones fitted with thermal cameras, multispectral sensors, LiDAR, and high-resolution RGB cameras. Their projects include creating digital twins, precision topography, and developing vision systems for automatic defect detection in energy infrastructures.
The company’s co-founders, Juan Manuel García Laría and Francisco Javier Cáceres Ferrer, underline the critical support of the CIDE Network in SKYNOX’s growth. They credit the initiative for expanding their professional network within the innovation ecosystem and providing access to specialised programmes and information on funding opportunities for R&D projects.
“It has provided us with knowledge, visibility, and access to resources that accelerate the growth of an innovative company. It truly is a business launchpad,” they said. They encourage other firms to embrace innovation as part of their growth strategy and highlight the benefits of specialised support in transforming and developing new projects.
The CIDE Network is an initiative from the Canary Islands Government’s Department of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, backed by the Canary Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
