Specialised in applying AI to the maintenance of linear structures in the electrical and railway industries, Unusuals took part in the first edition of Elewit’s Venture Client programme. It also won the Data Challenge in 2020 and is currently one of Red Eléctrica’s suppliers.
Elewit, Redeia’s technology platform, and Terna Forward, Terna’s CVC vehicle, have led the €1 million Seed funding round of Unusuals, a company specialising in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the maintenance of linear structures in the electrical and railway industries. This funding will help Unusuals continue developing its products and expand internationally. Furthermore, Elewit reinforces its CVC portfolio, currently comprising seven well-known startups, including HESStec, OktoGrid, and Nearby Computing.
The acquisition of a stake in Unusuals by the investment vehicles of two major European electrical system operators represents a sharp increase in the digitalisation of electrical system maintenance across Europe, which has historically been conducted by technicians walking the lines or using helicopter images, enhancing both operational efficiency and worker safety. Moreover, this investment will enable the company to continue refining its algorithms and enter other sectors with similar challenges, such as wind power generation and telecommunications operators.
Founded in 2016 with the goal of becoming the leading company in detection models and the generation of synthetic data to perfect algorithms for visual inspection of critical assets, Unusuals took part in the first edition of Elewit’s Venture Client programme in 2020. This was the first startup to participate in this programme and subsequently receive investment from Elewit. Unusuals also won the Data Challenge 2020 and was selected for a pilot project to test its ability to detect anomalies in power lines.
Currently, it serves as the anomaly detection provider for transmission lines managed by Red Eléctrica, Redeia’s subsidiary. It is also collaborating on a project using generative AI to create artificial images able to improve model capabilities. Unusuals’ solution is based on computer vision for asset visualisation platforms, using machine learning algorithms for fault detection models and image generation models to create artificial images.
This operation aligns with Elewit’s strategy of investing in Seed and Series A startups that provide innovative solutions in their key technological areas. When Elewit invests in a startup, it offers robust commercial and comprehensive support to integrate the technology across Redeia's subsidiaries (Red Eléctrica, Redinter, Reintel, or Hispasat). Through this approach, Elewit contributes to the energy transition in the electrical sector and promotes universal connectivity in the telecommunications sector.
About Elewit
Redeia’s technology platform was founded in 2019 to address new challenges in the electricity and telecommunications sectors. Its mission is also to drive the energy transition and connectivity to create a sustainable future. For further information
About Terna Forward
Established in November 2022, Terna Forward is Terna Group’s subsidiary dedicated to technological innovation, investing through its CVC in startups offering solutions for the challenges of digitalisation, decarbonisation, decentralisation, and electrification. The vehicle normally acquires minority stakes in companies aligned with Terna’s strategy and invests in venture capital funds. For further information
About Unusuals
Founded in 2016, Unusuals aims to assist clients in maintaining large infrastructures through automatic analysis of images and videos using AI. For further information