Komatsu America Corp. and Propeller Aero Inc. are partnering together in hopes of boosting the efficiency of construction job sites by using drone-powered mapping and analytics software.

With drones becoming an increasingly common work site tool, Komatsu has identified aerial mapping and analytics as a key component of its Smart Construction initiative — a range of integrated hardware and software products designed to offer an end-to-end workflow for each phase of construction.

“A Komatsu Smart Construction job site by definition is technology enhanced and production optimized,” says Jason Anetsberger, senior product manager at Komatsu America Corp. “Adding Propeller Aero as one of our key partners gives our North American distributors and customers exceptional capabilities to achieve this standard in the aerial mapping space. Propeller combines simple, yet powerful analysis tools with accurate and fast site visualization.”

Komatsu America Corp. spent several years testing various commercial drone mapping and analytics products in North America. In Propeller, Komatsu believes it found an exceptionally robust product, well-suited to meet the needs of modern construction operations. Propeller balances ease of use with survey accuracy and reliability.

Propeller’s processing machinery crunches thousands of drone images in hours and delivers the results as a cloud-based 3D model right to the user’s desktop or tablet. From there, powerful collaboration and analysis tools let users perform height, volume and slope calculations, and measure change over time to confirm that a project is on track.

“Work sites are starting to see the real business value of accurate, up-to-date drone data,” says John Frost, vice president of business development at Propeller. “We drive that value through workflows that enable everyone to understand who’s moved what material, how much, and where. It’s all about empowering work sites with the information they need to make data-driven decisions to reduce costs, ensure quality, and use resources efficiently. Now more than ever, stakeholders on site, or in the head office miles away, can stay up-to-date with exactly what’s happening on the ground.”

Propeller’s technology platform supports multiple coordinate systems, including local site calibrations. This allows personnel to capture up-to-date survey data expressed in the specific geospatial coordinates they already use on that job site. Local grid support is crucial for ensuring drone-captured maps and models match up with plans and previous surveys.

Now available through a widespread network of Komatsu distributors across the U.S., Komatsu Equipment Co. (KEC), a leading Komatsu distributor headquartered in Salt Lake City, was among the first to roll out Propeller solutions to customers as a result of this partnership. Based on the positive response so far, KEC is confident the construction sector will be quick to adopt this technology.

“Anyone can fly a drone — it’s what you do with the data that makes an impression,” says Chris Faulhaber, Smart Construction business manager at Komatsu Equipment Co. “Propeller provides fast, accurate data processing via a web platform that is unparalleled. The platform is easy to use, facilitates healthy collaboration and delivers vital information quickly, so everyone can work together better and faster than anticipated.”

About Propeller Aero

Propeller’s world-class drone analytics solutions help people measure and manage their sites themselves. Heavy civil construction and resources operations trust Propeller to track site changes safely and accurately, with 3D visual tools that everyone can use. Propeller gives teams the full picture, empowering people to go deeper, do more, and work together better.

For more information, visit www.propelleraero.com. 

About Komatsu America Corp.

Komatsu America Corp. is a U.S. subsidiary of Komatsu Ltd., the world’s second-largest manufacturer and supplier of earth-moving equipment, consisting of construction, mining and compact construction equipment. Through its distributor network, Komatsu offers a state-of-the-art parts and service program to support its equipment. Komatsu has proudly been providing high-quality reliable products for nearly a century.

For more information, visit www.komatsuamerica.com.