23 December 2024

SmartDrone, “The U.S.A. Drone Company,"  is a shining example of how innovation, insight, and a commitment to problem-solving can disrupt an industry. Founded in 2020 by Rob Cammack and Taylor Dixon, SmartDrone was born out of a desire to address national security concerns, fill gaps in the market, and create revolutionary technology for land surveying and mapping. Today, the company is both a leading American drone manufacturer and a trusted provider of drone services, offering an unparalleled combination of cutting-edge technology and tailored solutions for surveyors, engineers, and developers.

Identifying the Problem

Rob Cammack (left) and Taylor Dixon (right) field-testing drones in July 2021.

SmartDrone’s journey began with a clear mission: to fill critical gaps in the drone market while addressing national security concerns. When co-founders Rob Cammack and Taylor Dixon entered the space, they noticed a major issue—foreign-manufactured drones were being removed from U.S. Navy operations due to security vulnerabilities. This highlighted an urgent need for secure, American-made drone solutions that could meet rigorous standards for performance and reliability.

At the same time, they recognized another unmet need in the marketplace. While drones were gaining traction in fields like photography and inspection, there was a noticeable lack of specialized platforms for land surveying and mapping. Surveyors required precise tools to match the accuracy of traditional methods, but most existing drones were generic, not purpose-built for these demanding applications. Rob and Taylor saw an opportunity to create something better—an American-made drone specifically tailored to the needs of land surveyors.

Building American-Made Drone Technology

In 2020, SmartDrone was officially founded with a bold vision: to create an American-made drone platform capable of transforming the land surveying industry. The company’s engineers quickly developed the Discovery, a LiDAR and camera mapping drone designed to provide the accuracy and efficiency surveyors needed.

But SmartDrone didn’t stop there. As the team gathered feedback and identified ways to improve their technology, they iterated on the original Discovery drone, leading to the development of the Discovery 2 and, more recently, the Discovery 3. Each new version is built upon the strengths of its predecessor, incorporating advancements in LiDAR technology, flight performance, and data processing capabilities. Today, the Discovery 3 stands as a testament to SmartDrone’s commitment to innovation and quality.

Listening to the Industry

While developing their hardware, Rob and Taylor made it a priority to connect with the professionals they aimed to serve. Rob conducted over 200 interviews with land surveyors to better understand their challenges and concerns.

What he found was surprising. Despite the potential of drones to revolutionize surveying, only 5% of surveyors have ever used drones in their work. Many were hesitant due to high initial costs, limited technical expertise, and concerns about how drones could integrate into their established workflows. This feedback underscored a critical barrier to adoption and presented SmartDrone with an opportunity to do more than sell drones—it was an opportunity to provide a comprehensive solution.

Introducing Professional Services

To address adoption barriers among surveyors, SmartDrone expanded beyond selling hardware by launching its Professional Services department. This initiative is designed for professionals who want the benefits of drone technology without the upfront investment or operational challenges of owning and managing drones.

With Professional Services, SmartDrone handles every aspect of the process—from flight operations and data collection to processing and delivering actionable outputs like orthomosaics, topographic maps, and volumetric analyses. This turnkey model makes drone technology accessible to surveyors who may lack the time, technical expertise, or resources to operate drones independently.

By combining state-of-the-art hardware with comprehensive services, SmartDrone offers a dual solution: enabling surveyors to integrate drone technology seamlessly, whether they choose to purchase equipment or outsource operations entirely.

A Fully Integrated Business

Today, SmartDrone is a fully integrated business that offers solutions for clients at any stage of their drone adoption journey. For those ready to invest in their own drone systems, the Discovery 3 provides unparalleled ease of operation, accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. For those who prefer to outsource their drone needs, SmartDrone’s Professional Services deliver end-to-end solutions tailored to their unique requirements.

SmartDrone’s dual focus has fueled its growth and enabled the company to rapidly expand across the United States. From single-acre orthomosaics in urban areas to expansive 5,000-acre LiDAR scans in rural regions, SmartDrone’s work showcases its versatility and expertise.

Recent Milestones

SmartDrone continues to grow through strategic decisions that expand its capabilities and reach. In 2024, the company marked a significant milestone by acquiring Skytec, LLC’s drone operations. This acquisition not only broadened SmartDrone’s service offerings but also strengthened its position as a leader in the land surveying and mapping industry.

In addition, SmartDrone launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, giving investors the opportunity to be part of the American Drone Revolution. With investments starting at just $260.76, the campaign invites individuals to join SmartDrone’s journey of innovation and growth.

These milestones reflect SmartDrone’s commitment to scaling operations while maintaining its focus on quality and customer success. As the company continues to evolve, its mission remains the same: to revolutionize land surveying with cutting-edge technology and tailored solutions.

The Importance of Education and Training for Drone Adoption

One of the most significant barriers to drone adoption in the land surveying industry is the lack of education and training available to professionals. Many surveyors and engineers are intrigued by the potential of drones but are hesitant to invest in the technology without understanding how to effectively use it in their workflows. Recognizing this gap, SmartDrone has made education and training a cornerstone of its approach to empowering customers.

SmartDrone provides comprehensive training programs for clients who purchase their Discovery drones, ensuring they are fully equipped to operate the technology and integrate it into their existing processes. From flight operations to data processing, these programs are designed to help professionals maximize the value of their investments. The training emphasizes practical applications, showing surveyors how to use drones to increase efficiency and accuracy in their work.

Additionally, SmartDrone actively participates in industry events, conferences, and webinars to educate a broader audience about the benefits of drone technology. These efforts focus on dispelling misconceptions and demonstrating how drones can complement traditional surveying methods, not replace them.

By prioritizing education, SmartDrone not only helps professionals overcome technical barriers but also builds trust within the industry. This approach has been instrumental in driving adoption among surveyors who may otherwise view drones as too complex or disruptive. For SmartDrone, education isn’t just an added service—it’s a vital part of their mission to revolutionize land surveying and mapping through technology.

A Vision for the Future

As SmartDrone continues to grow, its mission remains unchanged: to revolutionize land surveying and mapping through cutting-edge technology and tailored services. The company’s dedication to innovation, collaboration, and customer success sets it apart as a leader in the drone industry.

From its origins as a bold idea to its current status as an industry pioneer, SmartDrone is driven by a simple yet powerful vision: to empower professionals with the tools and services they need to succeed. Whether it’s through the advanced capabilities of Discovery 3 or the comprehensive support of its Professional Services department, SmartDrone is shaping the future of land surveying—one project at a time.

For surveyors, engineers, and developers across the country, SmartDrone isn’t just a technology provider. It’s a partner in progress, offering secure, American-made solutions that make a difference.