Cambridge-based Fly4Me hosts a website that connects drone pilots with customers who want surveys, maps, building inspections, and other tasks suited to a drone’s unique perspective. The startup officially opened for business last week, following approval from the Federal Aviation Administration this spring.
The commercial use of drone aircraft — usually small, inexpensive remote-controlled gadgets — is still heavily regulated by the federal government. Entrepreneurs have argued that this approach has stalled innovation in the space. Fly4Me’s FAA certification says it can “conduct community training workshops, research and development, and aerial inspections of buildings and land within the United States.”
Fly4Me formed in December and got FAA approval in mid-April.
A beta version of its website debuted last week. There, homeowners or companies who need an aerial scout can post a description of their job, and pilots who own and fly camera-carrying drones can register, view listings, and bid for a gig.
The team has photographed a car show, conducted roof and chimney inspections, and is working with a photography company to create a promotional video for a Boston country club. Fly4Me also has the attention of solar companies that want to measure shade and the surface area of roofs.
New pilots will be asked to take a short flight test to evaluate their abilities when they register with Fly4Me, founder Adam Kersnowski said.
Kersnowski, who also owns a construction business, said using a drone was an easier and safer way to conduct some aspects of his old job, such as roof inspections. He also regularly uses a drone to record family outings and trips with his kids.
“We loved the idea of drone capturing data with drones we just couldn’t figure out the best way to scale it,” said co-founder Dmitry Sharshunskiy, who owns an energy consulting company.
Both men were looking for ways to commercialize a drone company after gauging how useful it could be in their own fields — Kersnowski for roof inspections, and Sharshunskiy to do aerial surveys and mapping for the sites his energy company was auditing.
Meetings with investors guided the duo toward a “Uber-style” model for drone pilots. The company is currently bootstrapped but hopes to convert interest into investment soon.
Source: betaBoston