Beam Global has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Norwegian industrial drone company ScoutDI for approximately $24 million, paying through a combination of cash and common stock. The transaction is expected to close in November 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. ScoutDI develops drone systems and AI-enhanced software for inspecting confined spaces and other difficult-to-access industrial assets, reducing the need for workers to enter tanks, cargo holds and other hazardous environments.
Key takeaways
- ScoutDI customers span 30 countries and include ExxonMobil, Chevron, Oceaneering and Ørsted; its technology is also deployed by Shell, Petrobras and Equinor.
- After closing, Beam plans to manufacture ScoutDI drone systems for the US market at its existing US factories, while its European facilities and ScoutDI operations serve Europe and the Middle East.
- ScoutDI's Scout 137 Gen3 was the first European drone system, and one of the first four overall, to receive Conditional Approval from the US Department of Defense, enabling US marketing and exemption from the FCC Covered List, subject to compliance with ScoutDI's US onshoring plan and continued government vetting.
- Beam already manufactures batteries for drones, robots and submersibles and has developed BeamFlight, designed to enable remote drone recharging without grid infrastructure or construction.
- ScoutDI CEO Nicolai Husteli will continue to lead the company; Beam intends to expand the technology beyond maritime, oil and gas and energy into mines, tunnels, sewers, public safety and security.
For manufacturing and energy operators, the deal combines a field-proven confined-space inspection platform with US production capacity and an existing robotics infrastructure portfolio, signaling tighter integration of inspection drones into industrial asset-management workflows.
Source: Robotics & Automation News · Published 2026-10-07T16:32:58 · “Beam Global to acquire ScoutDI for $24 million and manufacture inspection drones in US”