Parrot Invests $2.5M in Pix4D

Pix4D has agreed on a CHF 2.4 million ($2.5M) investment from the Parrot Group to accelerate the development of its successful Mapping and Geographical Information System (GIS) software for UAS.

With the fast technological advances in miniaturized autopilots and digital cameras, lightweight autonomous flying platforms are increasingly used to generate up-to-date and detailed environmental maps and geographical information data. Furthermore, recent changes to the regulatory framework for civilian unmanned aircraft will drive UAS adoption and help address the soaring demand for GIS data (CAGR of 15.5% since 2004).

Pix4D develops advanced image processing algorithms making it possible to analyze and combine multiple aerial images to build three-dimensional (3D) models of the environment they depict. Pix4UAV is a unique software package that automatically converts thousands of standard pictures, taken by readily available drones, into a professional geo-referenced image. Compared with existing 3D mapping technologies, Pix4D’s proprietary solutions are fully automatic, faster, cost-effective, and often with better accuracy.

Pix4D sells its products to UAS manufacturers for bundling or directly to farming, mining, construction and exploration companies that need to create a timeline of 3D images (i.e. 4D imaging). Professional surveyors also benefit from huge productivity gains by allowing them to survey large areas and volumes, with up to 5 centimeters accuracy, within minutes instead of days of traditional ground measurements.

“Parrot’s investment enables Pix4D to strengthen its position as the leading software provider for processing aerial images collected by professional drones.” said Christoph Strecha, Pix4D’s CEO. “The collaboration with Parrot, and its very successful quadcopter AR.Drone, will open the consumer market where Pix4D’s technology will be used to create a new dimension in Augmented Reality (AR) user-experience and 4D gaming.”

Founded in 2011, following more than ten years of leading scientific research, Pix4D has become the main provider for professional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) processing software. Started as a spin-off of the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland, Pix4D is a dynamic and rapidly expanding company. Pix4D is pursuing its R&D efforts by collaborating with EPFL’s as well as other industrial partners in research projects supported by the Swiss government.

Pix4D is the leading provider of image processing software and its products include a general cloud computing service as well as a standalone desktop software called Pix4UAV. Pix4D’s clients already include the United Nations, global mining companies and survey companies all over the world. Pix4D provides OEM based solutions dedicated to particular professional drones such as Gatewing’s StrechoutTM, Stretchout CloudTM and senseFly’s Postflight service and Terra 3D that are all powered by Pix4D and provide dedicated versions for particular drones, as for instance Aeryon and Mavinci. Pix4D is currently providing its solution mostly to surveying companies and aims to increase partnerships with the major drone manufacturers.

Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars. Its globally recognized expertise in the fields of mobile connectivity and multimedia around Smartphones has positioned Parrot as a key player of in-car infotainment. Additionally, Parrot designs and markets a prestigious line of high-end wireless multimedia products in collaboration with some of the world’s most well-renowned designers.

Finally, Parrot is expanding on the UAS market with the Parrot AR.Drone, the first quadricopter piloted via wi-fi and using augmented reality and also with new solutions to address the UAS market for professional use. Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs more than 700 people worldwide and generates the majority of its sales overseas. Parrot has been listed on NYSE Euronext Paris since 2006.

Video: Workflow of Pix4D reconstruction pipeline on the EPFL site, using a SwingletCam from senseFly.

Source: Press Release

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