How & when you got an idea to enter into Drones Industry? What set you apart from others?
Aerologix is a Sydney-based drone start-up that provides a marketplace for clients to locate their local drone pilot to complete aerial imagery projects. The company uses a patented algorithm and geolocation to match clients with skilled and qualified drone pilots. Former Qantas pilot Tom Caska and IT expert Rakesh Routhu started the company in 2019. They met doing their MBAs at UNSW where the concept was born, having previously held their own start-up companies in drone technology and robotics.
For clients, Aerologix offers unparalleled service solutions in providing an extensive network of drone pilots across Australia and New Zealand, who are certified, trained and allow an on-demand service model. We are a technology company that enables drone pilots to complete complex data captures, 3D surveys and photogrammetry through a widespread distribution platform – there is no such other platform that exists in supplying drone pilots to market at such scale as Aerologix.
The Aerologix app is free for pilots – no subscription cost to access the app and provides free access to airspace information for Australian pilots via CASA which many other apps will charge users for
Brief us about the products & solutions you are offering?
At Aerologix, our innovations eliminate the guesswork from data capture. Always looking at how we can improve processes and understanding client pain points, led to the development of our cutting-edge, patented technology, Aeropath, which has put an end to human error and generates consistently accurate datasets for our customers. The Aerologix platform ensures flight safety, regulatory compliance and optimal mission efficiency. Our innovation vision is to create a platform that will be the busiest and biggest platform in the world when it comes to drone pilots and connecting clients with their “pilot next door” no matter where they are.
Our new product, AerologixMaps, gives clients and pilots an easy and affordable way to process their drone images into outputs such as point clouds, DSM, DTM, 3D Models etc.
What are the solutions you are offering for Clients?
Aerologix exists to alleviate the frustrations in the difficulty to source consistent, high-quality drone operators and equipment in a specific geo-location and the prohibitive costs of in-house drone operations. We assist clients in navigating cumbersome processes in managing pilot qualifications and licensing required for specific jobs.
Aerologix is the only decentralised Australia-wide drone technology network, providing unprecedented coverage with 30,000+ pilots. We have the unmatched ability to service businesses with assets in the fastest, and the most affordable way.
In assessing the environmental impact that drone technologies can unlock, utilising the Aerologix platform has significant benefits in reducing travel time, reducing personnel out of office, a more economical way of capturing regular up-to-date data and a significant reduction in carbon footprint.
Aerologix is also one of only a few Civil Aviation and Safety Authority-approved drone services apps, allowing quick, seamless approvals for airspace and data capture. Aerologix serves as flight operations control, with experienced staff in operations management, regulatory approvals, data QA and a seamless customer experience.
Can you brief us about Aerologix Maps? How it is different from others? How economical is for Indian Customers?
AerologixMaps is a cutting-edge image-processing platform tailored for aerial mapping and imagery. It seamlessly transforms aerial captures into high-definition maps, offering users—from experts to novices—a streamlined experience and in-depth analysis capabilities. Dive into the world of aerial insights with AerologixMaps, where quality meets efficiency.
AerologixMaps differentiates itself by combining advanced processing capabilities with an intuitive interface, ensuring top-notch results swiftly. Moreover, it’s one of the most cost-effective photogrammetry tools available, delivering premium features without the premium price tag.
Aerologix Maps supports common image formats such as JPEG, TIFF, and PNG as input formats for processing drone images. As for output formats, It can generate various products such as orthomosaics, digital surface models (DSM), digital terrain models (DTM), contour lines, point clouds, and 3D models. These outputs can be exported in formats like GeoTIFF, LAS, OBJ, and more, depending on the specific requirements of your project.
For Indian Customers, it is quite affordable than those currently available in the market such as Pix4D, DroneDeploy etc. With one uniform pricing around the world, we have taken note of the affordability in various geographies and have set the price starting at USD 59 i.e Rupees 5000 per month.
What is your target market? How do you see India as market for your products?
AerologixMaps, cloud based drone images processing platform and AerologixFly (Aeropath), automated and patented 3D flight app for DJI drones, both these products are currently available for clients/pilots around the world. Our Platform for drone projects or the marketplace is currently available in Australia and New Zealand. Over the next few months, we would decide if we want to launch this in India and other markets. India wants to be the Dronetech hub of the world by the year 2025. It is a massive market where drone usage and the capabilities have been embraced by the government, and consumers. We are betting on India to see a big uptick in the usage of AerologixMaps.
If you could change one thing about Drone Industry with a click of your fingers, what would it be and why?
One thing that I’d like to change about Drone Industry is to have one uniform regulations around the world and this would be so beneficial to everyone from drone manufacturers to drone pilots. For drone manufacturers, especially companies under home grown “Make In India” program, this will give them an opportunity to export their drones around the world without having to make a lot of changes for in the drone software for country specific regulations. Similarly, for Drone Pilots, they don’t have to worry about learning about different regulations in the countries where they will be travelling to.
What is your Wishlist for 2024?
The drone industry is emerging, filled with opportunities, and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 58%. There are so many ways drones can help society through life-saving emergency AED delivery, helping construction companies design projects, and sowing the seeds for future agriculture fields.
Imagination is the only limitation where drones can take us in the future. Battery technology and regulations are at the forefront of this push. OEM suppliers are building drones that push flight range and payloads to new limits. In Australia, CASA has been working closely with the industry to allow drones to safely traverse the airspace. In India, while we wish for home grown local drone manufacturing, we should also allow foreign players because competition is good for consumers who will get an opportunity to experience innovative products at affordable prices such as DJI drones.
