Talon Aerolytics
Drone technology for Real-Time Data Capture

In this era of rapid industrial evolution, every day a huge amount of data and information is generated and organizations are developing state-of-the-art data analytics solutions to cope with the advancement. However, this demands not only real-time decision making, but also a proper platform that allows subject matter experts or technicians to evaluate this information. “Most organizations are dealing with legacy methodologies and are not ready to accept change, making it a little challenging for new technologies to make space amongst traditional processes,” says Rodney Dir, CEO, Talon Aerolytics. Breaking this barrier is Talon—revolutionizing data capture and the way subject matter experts communicate with field technicians— enabling companies to develop and maintain their infrastructure with its unique products and services.

Talon focuses on providing unique data capture capabilities to deliver and make accessible high volumes of actionable data. TalonviewTM, the company’s software application can capture any piece of infrastructure and enable remote subject matter experts to share the data across a group to analyze and collaborate on a solution. Moreover, the data can be captured from a mobile phone, tablet or drone device and the subject matter expert can control the capture of the video, from any part of the world. It allows the inspector to add voice or text comments while reviewing the data, which is stored in the database and can be delivered and shared with all users across the platform.

The company also provides tower inspections, power line evaluation, data analysis and project closeout services using HD video solutions for the telecom, petroleum and power industries. An example is, the Line of Sight service that sends up to two drones to analyze the microwave paths available between two proposed tower sites. Using this technology replaces the need to schedule tower climbers, moreover the data capture is faster, safer and more reliable. “Drones can capture data from videos, photos and sensors on transmission lines more efficiently than using bucket trucks, which also requires less human labor,” adds Dir. The company uses the best sUAS drone and sensor technologies to capture actionable data for infrastructure companies to make better and more cost effective decisions.

In the recent emergency response efforts, the data was delivered to disaster recovery experts who could assess the calamity and view the damage in a timely manner. Talon worked with T-Mobile during hurricane Irma to provide professional pilots and all commercial drone equipment as a part of the emergency response effort. The conditions can be quite challenging in a disaster environment, but Talon managed to capture and deliver network data that could be assessed by T-Mobile engineers immediately. The team captured 2.5 terabytes of photos and videos in the NEST where complete datasets were housed and delivered, along with timely network measurements allowing the engineers to analyze the damage.

Talon enables companies to develop and maintain their infrastructure with its data capture tools and services that reduce time and cost, while increasing accuracy. In today's industrial world, the company is redefining the process of live video collaboration between the remote field technician and the subject matter expert. The company’s drone division employs ex-military veterans as pilots and operates the Talon Alliance, a nationwide footprint of drone pilots with expertise in flight patterns to capture accurate and consistent infrastructure data. Based in Georgia, the company is a part of ITC Holding working with global and US based partners to expand their services worldwide and into other industries.