When it comes to drones, you might think of brands such as DJI who has rightfully cemented their place in market as being one of the leading consumer-grade drone makers. However if you’re a business looking for drones that can be used for commercial purposes, such as for inspections, site surveying, and more, Delair might be a company that comes to mind.The company is based largely in France, but it looks like they are set to expand their presence in the US by acquiring drone startup Airware’s assets. In an announcement by Delair, they will be acquiring some of Airware’s key assets, namely its Redbird analytics software and IP (which Airware themselves acquired back in 2016), along with the 26 employees who helped to run it. Redbird’s software specialized in drone data analytics in the mining, quarrying, and construction industries, which are some of the industries that Delair also covers.
Both companies are known for their UAV and automated drones which is why this acquisition makes sense. However Delair aren’t alone in this market as there are competitors such as Airobotics who also creates industrial drones. However one of the main differences between the companies is that Delair’s drones are designed to be fixed-wing drones and is used for when a greater range is needed and are required to fly beyond visual line of sight, whereas Airobotics’ drones are more of the quadcopter style.
We should also note that there are consumer-grade drones such as those made by Skydio that are also UAV in nature, but are also autonomous in the sense that they can set their sights on an object (or person) and follow it without any input from the pilot/drone operator.
As to what Delair’s acquisition of some of Airware’s key assets means for existing Airware customers, thankfully it seems that the acquisition will not result in customers being abandoned. As part of the agreement, Delair is expected to continue to support Airware’s customers and dealers, as well as introduce upgrades when needed.
According to Michaël de Lagarde, co-founder and CEO of Delair, “The acquisition signals a new period of growth and product line expansion by Delair. With the integration of Airware’s complementary technology, we have significantly strengthened our position as the leading provider of drone-based business intelligence globally. This strategic development further enhances our offer which enables the digital transformation of enterprises in the key industries we serve.”
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