With no relief in sight from a Federal Aviation Administration requirement that all drone flights be overseen by licensed drone pilots, a San Francisco-based company that had been developing an autonomous aerial jobsite survey system is adjusting. It is refocusing on automation of material detection in its photo-analysis software. It also is releasing a less expensive and hardier version of its flyer.
Skycatch Inc., which supports drone operators with hardware, software and customer-relationship tools, has so far pulled in $46.67 million from 20 investors through seven rounds of funding, according to Crunchbase, a website that follows startups. Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, Calif., is one recent investor. Carl Bass, Autodesk CEO, notes Skycatch is on major jobs, including a secretive corporate headquarters project in California whose owner is known for demanding innovation and performance. “Project managers look at an aerial survey of the day before [in morning meetings],” Bass says.