3 ms·
I work for a company with a very similar customer base (LiveEO), but we focus on satellite data. Your blimps look really cool and I like the storage/buoyancy id
by fnands 3y ago
I work for a company with a very similar customer base (LiveEO), but we focus on satellite data. Your blimps look really cool and I like the storage/buoyancy idea.
LiveEO actually started with drones and satellites, but quickly switched to satellite only, mostly due to regulatory issues. Not only do some countries have strict requirements on UAVs, but a lot of infrastructure companies are not crazy about the risks associated with flying them near their infra.
But, like crubier's comment, some notes and questions:
- How big is you data/ML team? you are going to be collecting loads of data, so storage and processing will be quite a feat. Or are you selling raw data?
- I hope you have quite a bit of runway. The customers you are courting are hella conservative so getting someone to take you on for an actual contract (not a PoC) is gonna take a while.
- Which geographic markets have you identified as viable given the strict regulations on beyond line of sight flight for UAVs?
- ThomasLaporte 3y agoThanks for the insight. For now we have no data/ML team. Our clients know this and for now are ok with it or on with getting raw data. We have a nice runway already but it's definitely something we watch closely. The EU is one of the strongest market in terms of regulation. Hard regulations, strong authorities. If we success in Europe we should be able to expand everywhere. We already have the support of the French civilian aviation authority!
- fnands 3y agoI'm a little surprised about the raw data. Do the customers just review the footage manually? What is the limiting factor on your range? The video says a 20 hour mission (how many km is that roughly?). I would have suspected for a blimp that really long missions (days) would be better as it would be less work to land/refill the blimp.
- sveme 3y agoHello fellow LiveEOler on HN!