Technology is meant to act as an extension onto what we are. The eyeglasses work as surrogate eyes, while the pen and paper work in concert as a recording mechanism of speech. Now more advanced problems require sufficiently advanced technologies—like for example— humanity has generally struggled with the need to be in two places at once. How do we see far away, or deliver packages, when we ourselves cannot physically be there? Now we have the answer to that: drones.
To that end, Draganfly (DFLY.C) has teamed up with fellow unmanned aircraft systems company AeroVironment to distribute their Quantix Mapper systems to commercial markets worldwide.
Their Quantix Mapper systems technology allows people to make assessments of the surrounding territory and map them using a high resolution camera. It essentially solves the problem for farmers, and really for anyone, who needs to know what’s going on in the far distant reaches of their land without the need to physically go there.
“Quantix Mapper represents the combination of drone operation, high-resolution imaging and geo-tagging into the first ‘drone as an app’ solution that makes data collection as easy as using a tablet computer. As a leader in the commercial and first responder drone market, Draganfly is uniquely positioned to deliver the value of Quantix Mapper to customers in multiple market segments to help save lives, protect property, increase productivity and enhance safety,” said Rick Pedigo, AeroVironment vice president of sales and business development.
The Quantix Mapper’s hybrid design lets the aircraft launch vertically and transition to horizontal flight, maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and range. Users can watch the action unfold using the high resolution imagery on the operating tablet with no other devices, internet or additional software needed.
The drone lets users quickly generate up-to-date maps for infield assessment, allowing for example, farmers to determine the health of their crops, and workers to assess damage from a storm, flood or fire. Quantix makes it easy to gather accurate images and data across a large area, assess and react to the situation with precision and speed.
The app allows the user ease of functionality by allowing them to program flights by drawing a shape on a tablet screen map, selecting an altitude and following a few problems. It possesses built in visual and multi-spectral sensors and its VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) ability let’s it lift off and land almost anywhere. It can also fly 400 acres in less than 45 minutes on one battery.
Product Specs
| Cameras | Built-in dual 18MP cameras, simultaneously collects high-resolution RGB & Multispectral |
| Max Flight Time | 45 minutes |
| Range (Out & Back) | 2 km radio limit |
| Wing Span | 3.2 ft (97.5 cm) |
| Weight | 5 lbs. (2.27 kg) |
| Wind Conditions | 20 mph (9 m/s) |
| Communication | 900 MHz encrypted & WiFi |
| Navigation | Fully automatic navigation |
| Launch and Land |
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The agreement will have AeroVironment providing Draganfly with sales, marketing collateral and product technical support for the mapper system. Draganfly in return will provide e-commerce, enterprise and direct sales operations, and oversee development of a network of resellers and strategic distribution partners worldwide.
Draganfly has recently picked up a good number of Quantix Mapper systems technology from AeroVironment in advance of the approaching farming season in the northern hemisphere. The company intends to expand their commercial distribution network to the southern hemisphere over the next year, including other industries like environmental resource management, oil & gas, construction, insurance, and public safety.
—Joseph Morton
