From idealistic student team for a serious start-up: the young Dutch UAS still want to improve the world, but with a realistic business model. “We do not beg, we want to be a sustainable organization.”
The rhino protect against poachers using drones, which was a few years ago, the goal of a small group of students from TU Delft. With a homemade drone did Camiel Verschoor and his fellow students test flights in safari parks.
Now Verschoor is the CEO of Dutch UAS, a start-up specializing in software for aerial images, such as drones, are analyzed automatically. As quickly and effectively objects or animals or humans are found in larger areas.
Wildlife Parks and farmers
“The drone was not very special, that we have behind us left, “says Verschoor. “We are good in artificial intelligence. With air dates, a flight plan and GPS coordinates can calculate exactly where our software is something or someone,” he explains. Think of wildlife or just their poachers, or to victims after a major natural disaster.
However, it may also be useful for companies. “Flying we leave to our partners and customers. As the drone that makes the images is connected via the Internet with our software, the owner even get instant feedback. For example, wildlife parks or farmers manage their fields.”
a company and a foundation
and that software will commercialize Dutch UAS. “At the moment we have no turnover. We have long maintained with sponsorship and donations, but now we have a business model for commercial customers. In addition to our foundation we set an example of.”
Dutch UAS Right Verschoor during testing
That does not mean Verschoor and his colleagues no rhinos to save more . “Our original foundation of our commercial software can use for free. Also, pay employees of eg 10 percent of their time to the foundation. In practice, this will be on a project basis. That is also beneficial to the company because our algorithms need examples. “
investor and customer
Currently, the company consults with an investor. The few tons Dutch as UAS hopes to pick up, the revenue must go Proving paying small parties in an analysis, large parties can subscribe. Searching for customers by a partner and the product is made scalable.
On a business trip in South Africa Dutch UAS probably held a paying customer. “We now do nothing for free. We are in The Hague to The Unmanned Systems Expo was where all stood drone businesses. We are going to do short-term trials of contacts we made there.”
Difficult
Big plans so what started as an enthusiastic student team. “We came together with six or seven people to save the rhino. That convert to a commercial plan without your goal to lose sight of, is very difficult. We want to protect the rhino, but I can not if you have no money get what you do. “
From that team now work four to Dutch UAS. “It is understandable that people saw it as a one-off project, or that they only wanted to do the fun things during their studies, then you do not get on together that is difficult, but not quite the funny thing is:… Someone who went to his study to complete, will now come back down, we will only grow “
View the TEDxTalk of Verschoor Johannesburg:
Source • RTL Z Future Makers
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