The Lanzarote company SKYNOX Drones, supported by the CIDE Network, has developed technology that combines drones, thermal sensors, and artificial intelligence to locate leaks in supply networks without the need for excavation. The system, which has already won awards, aims to become a key tool for water management in the Canary Islands.
The Lanzarote company SKYNOX Drones S.L. has made significant progress in water management in the Canary Islands by developing a system that combines drones, high-precision sensors, and artificial intelligence to detect leaks in supply networks without the need for construction work. The startup, identified as a success story by the Lanzarote and La Graciosa Chamber of Commerce, is part of the CIDE Network, an initiative of the Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, promoted through the Canary Agency for Research, Innovation, and Information Society (ACIISI) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The thermal inspection protocol developed by SKYNOX allows for the identification of thermal anomalies consistent with leaks in supply networks using remote sensing techniques. This way, unnecessary excavations are avoided, and both inspection times and costs are reduced. This innovation was awarded the Sustainable Talent Award in 2025, granted by the Lanzarote Chamber of Commerce along with the Líneas Romero Foundation and Bankinter.
Currently, the company is working on SKYNOXwater, a methodology that integrates advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and the digitization of supply networks. The goal is to more accurately identify areas where leaks may exist before intervening on the ground. The ultimate aim is to develop a system capable of continuously monitoring the network, prioritising repairs, and helping administrations and water operators reduce unregistered water losses, a particularly pressing issue in an insular territory like the Canary Islands.
The co-founders of SKYNOX, Juan Manuel García Laría and Francisco Javier Cáceres Ferrer, have highlighted the fundamental role that the CIDE Network has played in the project's growth. Thanks to this support, the company has been able to expand its network of contacts within the innovation ecosystem, access specialised programmes like Impulsa Startup, connect with leading technological centres, and stay informed about 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 is a true business launchpad,” the entrepreneurs state.
In addition to the water sector, SKYNOX develops solutions for the inspection of photovoltaic parks and wind turbines using drones equipped with thermal cameras, multispectral sensors, LiDAR, and high-resolution RGB cameras. Among its lines of work, it also highlights the creation of digital twins, precision surveying, and the development of artificial vision systems to automatically detect defects in energy infrastructures.
From their entrepreneurial experience, the leaders of SKYNOX encourage other companies to incorporate innovation as part of their growth strategy. “You have to test, measure, and validate, even if that means failing quickly to find the best solution. And you don’t have to do it alone. Approaching the CIDE Network can make a difference because the cost of asking is zero, and the return can transform a business project,” they conclude.
The CIDE Network, which aims to promote business innovation and improve the competitiveness of the productive fabric of the Canary Islands, offers free advisory services and specialised support. For companies in the Archipelago, initiatives like this represent an opportunity to access resources that accelerate the development of innovative projects.
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