3D Robotics Partners with Former Rival DJI

3D Robotics simply introduced that they’ll be partnering with drone trade big DJI to run their Site Scan mapping platform on DJI drones. Initially Site Scan can be out there on the Phantom four, and availability will increase to different DJI drones from there.

As a part of this partnership, 3DR will promote a bundled Phantom four alongside with a Site Scan license, in addition to promoting particular person licenses to those that have already got a appropriate DJI drone.

A Long and Bumpy Road

Not too way back (although historical historical past by drone trade requirements) 3D Robotics got down to be DJI’s high North American competitor.

But issues didn’t go so nicely for 3DR when it got here to promoting drones on to shoppers, they usually wound up having to pivot to a concentrate on software program for industrial drone functions.

One of the principle contributing elements to 3DR’s failure as a client drone firm was DJI’s capability to undercut their costs, which harm efforts to get traction for 3DR’s Solo within the client market.

“They were just amazing. I think we just got beaten fair and square.”

– Chris Anderson, CEO and Founder of 3DR, speaking about DJI

Not too way back 3DR bounced again with a formidable Series D funding spherical of $53 million for his or her commercially centered Site Scan platform. As issues within the drone trade shift increasingly more towards industrial functions like building, mining, and surveying, the necessity for a solution to course of all the information drones can accumulate has grown exponentially, and the concentrate on Site Scan has been a successful transfer for 3DR.

3dr site scan review

The solely factor holding again adoption for Site Scan is that, till now, its use has been restricted by the truth that it will possibly solely run on 3DR drones (just like the one pictured above).

Now that Site Scan can be utilized on the Phantom four, and shortly on different DJI drones, we’re certain to see much more fast progress in its adoption.

What’s in It for Me?

With this new partnership, each DJI and 3DR are getting one thing worthwhile.

3DR will get to increase the usage of Site Scan, and work to safe a place within the industrial drone sector because the go-to platform for industrial functions.

On the opposite hand, DJI now will get to promote drones they already make into new industrial sectors with out a lot further work required, in addition to including extra worth for patrons who already personal a Phantom four.

Although it’s true that the Phantom four would possibly already be utilized in a restricted capability for industrial functions, the addition of Site Scan will considerably open up the alternatives to be used and assist safe a place for DJI on this large and rising market.

“This integration is a significant milestone for the AEC industry. We’re excited that 3DR Site Scan users can now use DJI drones to convert images into actionable data that helps project stakeholders save time and manage costs.”

– Michael Perry, Director of Strategic Partnerships at DJI

Given DJI’s unimaginable footprint within the drone trade, and the truth that they appear to push out product launches each different week, it’s fascinating to see them selecting to companion as a substitute of making their very own competing software program.

It looks like we are able to conclude from this resolution at the very least two issues: 1) Site Scan is a fairly unimaginable platform for industrial functions (as a result of we are able to solely assume that DJI is usually a little picky relating to who they need to companion with); and a pair of) DJI determined it wasn’t value it to construct their very own platform.

3dr site scan
An picture taken from 3DR’s Site Scan platform

The second conclusion is noteworthy, and signal for the drone trade at giant.

Sometimes, if you go searching, it will possibly seem to be DJI is taking on the world—so it’s good to see that DJI does have limitations, and that different firms can develop and flourish within the drone trade regardless of the lengthy shadow they solid.

Other Partnerships within the Commercial Drone Space

Kespry is one in every of 3DR’s main opponents relating to software program for processing information captured in industrial drone functions.

Back in March Kespry partnered with John Deere, permitting the industrial equipment big to promote Kespry drones and software program to their purchasers in building, agriculture, and different associated sectors.

In the same partnership, Airware partnered with Caterpillar not too way back, and we’re certain to see these extra of those partnerships proliferate as drone firms look to increase their attain into present markets.

Who is aware of what different previous rivals would possibly develop into new companions subsequent.

Zacc Dukowitz

Director of Marketing

Zacc Dukowitz is the Director of Marketing for UAV Coach. A author with skilled expertise in training expertise and digital advertising, Zacc is enthusiastic about reporting on the drone trade at a time when UAVs might help us reside higher lives. Zacc additionally holds the rank of nidan in Aikido, a Japanese martial artwork, and is a broadly printed fiction author. Zacc has an MFA from the University of Florida and a BA from St. John’s College. Follow @zaccdukowitz or take a look at zaccdukowitz.com to learn his work.

Previous Draper Equips High Speed UAVs with Vision for GPS-denied Nav…
Next Australian Government Plants Seed of Drone Agriculture

Check Also

Local tech company expanding with new building in downtown F…

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Fresno tech and educational company is expanding. Quiq Labs held …

Editorial: Fine-tune drone policy-Telangana Today

As a sizable percentage of India’s drones continue to be imported, there is a need …