Sydney start-up Propeller Aero has teamed up with world’s largest drone manufacturer DJI. The two companies will soon be launching an integrated solution that could well set the standard for the professional use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
DJI has been estimated to dominate close to 70% of the international drone hardware market with its Phantom and Matrice ranges. Propeller Aero, on the other hand, provides the cloud-based software necessary to streamline RPAS data processing and simplify the way data is used and shared.
Founded in Australia with headquarters in Sydney, the Propeller software package provides web-based geospatial data processing, analytics and instant volumetric calculations for a range of professional applications. Propeller has now spread into over 60 countries and was recently featured in a cover story published in the June/July issue of Position magazine.
The strategic partnership with Propeller will strengthen DJI’s reach into the professional market, including fields as diverse as surveying, infrastructure management, engineering, construction, environmental management, emergency response, security and defence. According to the announcement, the partnership also aims to “reduce costs, improve safety and drive operational efficiency in the construction and mining industries.”
While the Phantom range is perhaps the world’s top-selling drones for hobbyists and professionals alike, DJI’s most robust platform and a commercial-grade market leader is the Matrice 100 (pictured). Described as ‘the quadcopter for developers’, the Matrice 100 has the full suite of easy-to-fly DJI technology supported by DJI’s developments into autonomous flight.
Coupled with Propeller’s cloud-based software, the integrated solution will provide a simplified, quick and efficient way to automate operations and access data for complex operations. Propeller Aero’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO Rory San Miguel sees the partnership as a monumental stepping stone for the small Australian company.
“We’re thrilled to provide an end-to-end solution for the industrial sector together with DJI,” San Miguel said. “As the market leader in UAV hardware, DJI is making its technologies more reliable and easy to use for operators, and at the same time, actively responding to the needs of commercial enterprises.”
“This partnership is a natural step for us, and we’re looking forward to bringing this solution to the mining, construction, and asset industries, and those who are ready to embrace this technology.”
DJI’s Director of Strategic Partnerships Michael Perry said Propeller’s Australian base has given it a competitive edge.
“Being from Australia, Propeller Aero has had the considerable advantage of developing alongside the industries that have been using commercial UAVs since 2002.” – Michael Perry, DJI.
“The platform is already integrating drone data into the existing work flows and processes that businesses are using,” he said. “It’s great to see innovation around DJI’s aerial technologies and how these ideas are turning into actual business opportunities and practical use cases.”
Details of the DJI/Propeller integrated bundle will be announced in the coming weeks.
Provided that it delivers all that has been promised, Propeller and DJI might just be on the brink of setting a new standard for commercial UAV operations.
