Skip to main content

Airware acquires drone data analytics provider Redbird

Airware, a commercial drone solutions provider, has acquired Redbird, a France-based pioneer in drone data analytics that has been working closely with Caterpillar. Redbird focuses on the mining, quarrying, and construction industries through sophisticated geospatial analytics which will be integrated into the Airware Aerial Information Platform. This will give customers the combined power of Redbird's industry-specific analytics and Airware's enterprise-focused workflow, compliance, and security feature
September 23, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Airware flies higher with Redbird acquisition (photo courtesy Redbird)
Airware, a commercial drone solutions provider, has acquired Redbird, a France-based pioneer in drone data analytics that has been working closely with 178 Caterpillar.

Redbird focuses on the mining, quarrying, and construction industries through sophisticated geospatial analytics which will be integrated into the Airware Aerial Information Platform. This will give customers the combined power of Redbird's industry-specific analytics and Airware's enterprise-focused workflow, compliance, and security features, according to a joint statement.

“Commercial drone technology brings these operations into the digital world while offering faster, cheaper and higher-quality data and analytics,” said Jonathan Downey, founder and chief executive of Airware.

Customers can plan drone flights, capture high-quality aerial data, analyse it and create detailed, survey-grade mining and construction site maps of more than 400 hectares a day, per drone, for immediate and exact production tracking and site safety assessment.

“Building materials companies and contractors are no longer experimenting with drones, but are looking to put drones to work for their businesses,” said Emmanuel de Maistre, co-founder and chief executive of Redbird.

Redbird was founded in 2013 and Airware was established in 2011. Redbird’s Paris office will become Airware’s European headquarters.

In May, Caterpillar and Redbird expanded the geographic scope of their collaboration. Redbird’s data analysis and reporting tools are now offered to Caterpillar customers worldwide instead of only in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, said George Taylor, vice president for digital at Caterpillar.

Last March, de Maistre %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 2 26100 0 oLinkExternal told World Highways Visit WH Page false /categories/measurement-survey-design-software/features/caterpillar-has-a-vision-that-includes-total-project-site-overview/ false false%> how it was working with Caterpillar to help the machine manufacturer move towards more so-called project site overview. The Holy Grail is to integrate machine equipment information with 3D site information. De Maistre calls it “Google Map for quarries or construction sites”.
 
In 2014, Redbird partnered with Bergerat Monnoyeur, Caterpillar’s exclusive dealer in France and several other countries, including Belgium and Poland. The objective was to develop specific data analytics for Bergerat’s customers. But Redbird is not a drone maker, nor usually a drone operator. It provides a service only through its advanced cloud platform called Cardinal, named after a common small North American bird. No specific software is required, only internet access and a login.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • HxGN Live 2014: Leica CEO highlights IT-led road construction and mining gains
    June 4, 2014
    Leica Geosystems’ CEO and president Jürgen Dold has highlighted to HxGN 2014 Live delegates how dynamic geospatial systems are creating more effective and safer workflows on road construction sites and in mining.
  • Road accident data management
    July 19, 2012
    IRF Geneva unveils a modern solution for road accident data management. This year's Intertraffic Amsterdam exhibition provided a high-profile backdrop for the launch of RADaR, a pioneering new tablet application developed to facilitate the on-site collection of precise and scientific accident data, primarily by traffic police. Introducing the application to an international audience gathered in the venue’s inaugural Smart Mobility Centre, IRF Geneva's director general, Sibylle Rupprecht, highlighted RADaR's
  • Free flight planner app for HCSS Aerial
    April 9, 2021
    The HCSS Aerial: Drone Mission app works with most drones to capture high-resolution images.
  • Trees delivering cleaner cities with less pollution?
    November 30, 2016
    Research carried out jointly by scientists from EarthSense Systems and the University of Leicester shows the beneficial effect of urban trees on helping lower air pollution. The study shows a direct link between air pollution and green infrastructure, with trees and grass cover contributing to a reduction in concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The newly published research shows that the aerodynamic dispersive effect of trees results in a 9.0 percent reduction in PM2.5 concentrations. A decrea