DroneCloud aims to make easy work of drone management
Clue, a Tokyo-based startup, is dipping its toes into the drone world withDroneCloud, which could end up being a godsend for commercial drone operations. According to an article at VentureBeat, the new service manages drone projects and data in one place.
The platform allows users to create projects based on whatever drone-dependent task may be on their plate. Using the project management menu, users can assign members, select which drone they will use and make note of who will be operating the drone.
With the data management menu, users can store drone photos and videos, flight plans and other documents, the article noted. The flight logging menu is home to flight information such as when and where drones were operated and weather conditions during flight.
Lastly, the individual management menu takes care of the pesky specifics. That’s where users can find model specs of drones used, flying hours and information on technical inspections, which includes logs on repairs and maintenance.
The service – offered in English and Japanese – is currently available for around $80 (9,800 yen) a month.
According to company CEO and founder Ryosuke Abe, Clue has other drone ventures on its mind as well. “In addition to DroneCloud, we are looking at creating a whole ‘operating system’ for business-use drones,” Abe was quoted by VentureBeat as saying. “It is only airware currently running the business, but there is no outstanding startup in this sector. While the hardware business of drones will be commoditized in the future, I think the operating system software and the cloud will be keys in securing our competitive advantage,” Abe observed.
A drone-specific management software could be what companies will need for unique drone tasks. For the sake of an example, let’s think back to the recently released drone promo for Amazon. Now let’s build a bit on that. Let’s say that after those shoes were delivered, Millie’s game is over, and dad walks out to the back yard. There he notices some damage on his property. So he calls up Amazon to find a solution.
Having software like DroneCloud in place would make a resolution that much easier to get to. The project file on the delivery could be looked up, with information on the drone. Amazon could go back to the flight data and find out if the drone did in fact hit something on its way up or down for delivery.
With drones creeping closer and closer to overwhelming commercial use in the U.S. – and drone regulations being as complex and elusive as ever – this software may be just what the doctor ordered. Drone tech is still new, and with new technology comes a slew of questions and issues. The best way to keep yourself within the confines of current regulation and have drone operations run smoothly is to keep all of your information well organized in one place.
For more:
– check out DroneCloud
– read the VentureBeat article
http://www.fiercemobileit.com/story/dronecloud-aims-make-easy-work-drone-management/2015-12-07
