It’s well-known that about 18% of small businesses fail within their first year, and nearly 50% don’t make it past five years. (1) Since our founding in 2019, AeroTract has defied these odds, achieving notable success over the past five years. As we celebrate our journey, let’s reflect on the major milestones we’ve reached and use them as motivation to drive us forward into an exciting future in geospatial analysis and machine learning.
December 10th, 2019
On this day, we published our first blog post, "AeroTract Begins Advanced Tree Counting Research," on our website. The post highlighted key insights, such as the challenges of counting small seedlings due to competing vegetation, the role of multiple-aged regeneration in identifying trees with varying characteristics, and the importance of accurate inventory data in various stands. This crucial information empowers foresters to maximize yield and promote robust growth in vigorous stands. This was an important first step in our commitment to advancing geospatial analysis and supporting the forestry industry with innovative solutions.
Expanding into Utilities
In May 2020, we announced AeroTract’s exciting expansion into the utility sector. The utility industry is inherently dangerous, and one of the key benefits of using drones is the enhanced safety they provide. As noted in a previous blog post, “Workers can now avoid hazardous manned inspections and achieve the same results with greater accuracy and speed using drones.” The post also highlighted the increased efficiency of drone data collection compared to traditional manned crews or helicopters—saving time and reducing costs. Additionally, it emphasized how drone-gathered data extends beyond utility tasks, positively impacting communities and having a broader significance.
Drone-Driven Solutions
In August 2020, the Beachie Creek Fire and the Lionshead Fires broke out in the region near Detroit, Oregon, affecting entire communities. By September, our team was actively involved in infrastructure inspection and post-wildfire restoration efforts, underscoring our commitment to community support. Working closely with the FAA and air attack teams, AeroTract provided comprehensive thermal and visual utility analysis and post-fire vegetation hazard assessments, contributing to the region's recovery and reinforcing our dedication to safety and resilience.
A Growing Industry
Throughout 2021 and 2022, our team made significant progress on various projects, and the future of drone technology is becoming increasingly promising. This impressive growth highlights the exciting potential of the industry, and we are grateful to be part of such a dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
Introduction to a New Way of Spraying
In 2023, AeroTract achieved a major milestone by successfully implementing a drone spray program. Our initial blog post about this achievement noted that we “covered four times more acreage than initially projected.” This success reflects years of hard work by our dedicated team of drone professionals, foresters, and engineers who developed and refined the systems and methods that made this vision a reality. Today, we continue to build on this success by offering advanced spraying solutions across agricultural, forestry, and specialty sectors. Our innovative approach leverages the latest drone technology to enhance efficiency and precision, helping our clients achieve optimal results and address the unique challenges of each industry.
Looking Ahead in 2024
In 2024, pole inspections, advanced technology, and AI are shaping a bright future. This past year, we made significant strides in several key areas. Our advancements in pole inspections are setting new standards for efficiency and accuracy. This impressive growth mirrors our own journey—from a single individual to a dedicated team of around 20 professionals. Today, we have completed projects in multiple states across various industries, highlighting our expansion and the profound impact of these technological advancements on our work.
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