Australian Aerologix Launches in New Zealand, Holds Drone Footage Competition

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

In its first step towards international operations, Australian drone technology startup Aerologix has launched its platform in New Zealand. Starting today, pilots will be able to register on the Aerologix web or mobile app, enabling them to work on various aerial capture projects.

Founded by former Qantas pilot Tom Caska and IT expert Rakesh Routhu in 2019 after they met while studying their MBAs, Aerologix has grown rapidly in only a few years from only a few hundred pilots on its platform to over 10,000, along with partners such as Clean Up Australia.

“We’re so excited to be launching Aerologix in New Zealand, a country known for picturesque landscapes, perfect for capturing stunning aerial footage,” Aerologix Co-Founder and CEO Tom Caska. “Drone photography has quickly become a must-have for businesses, especially those in regions with vast landscapes as well as urban environments, such as New Zealand.  Aerologix offers pilots the opportunity to work on a variety of aerial photography projects, allowing them to showcase their skills in a range of sectors.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming New Zealand’s drone pilots to experience our award winning platform and apps, for projects and airspace information, that is currently being used by pilots in Australia everyday,” said Aerologix Co-Founder and COO Rakesh Routhu.

Aerologix is running a drone footage competition in celebration of the launch, featuring a NZD$5,000 total prize pool. The competition will run from Monday, April 17th to Wednesday, May 24th, with a judge selecting a weekly theme for the entries on the Aerologix web app.

Judges for the competition include Aerologix Drone Competition Australia 2022 winner Natasha Trivedi, Aerologix’s Operations Coordinator and drone pilot Emily Bidencope, Kiwi Droneography owners Bernard and Alisa Satherley, and award winning New Zealand born aerial photographer Petra Leary.

Caska and Routhu will announce the winner at an exclusive event at Candela Restaurant & Bar in Auckland on Thursday, May 25th. The competition’s conclusion coincides with the World of Drones & Robotics Congress, to be held for the first time in New Zealand from May 22-24 in Auckland. Aerologix is a major sponsor of the congress, and will have a booth at the event where its co-founders will be available for interviews and product demonstrations.

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.