Terra Drone Corporation buys major stake in C4D Intel Pty Ltd.

Tokyo,Dec,10-Terra Drone Corporation (Shibuya-ku Tokyo CEO Toru Tokushige following as Terra Drone) is poised to strengthen and expand its global reach and services after announcing a significant equity investment in Australian firm, C4D Intel Pty Ltd.

The move by Terra Drone is the latest of the company's investments into leading drone technology businesses across the globe and demonstrates the Japanese company’s commitment to the Australian market.

Analysts predict that that market for data acquisition using airborne vehicles (unmanned and manned) and satellite and terrestrial sensors is set to grow ten-fold over the next decade. C4D Intel's experience in mining, oil and gas and infrastructure expands Terra Drone's access to a range of high profile clients helping it to take advantage of this tremendous market growth opportunity.

C4D Intel Managing Director Alistair Scott-Farris said, "This investment presents an opportunity for us to leverage Terra Drone's expansive international network, technology and experience to propel our growth both within Australia and internationally, particularly in South-East Asia. We are excited to be partnering with Terra Drone and look forward to expanding our capabilities and service offering with the support of the larger Terra Drone group. Our customers will benefit greatly from the access to innovative new technologies that this transaction will enable”.

Terra Drone CEO Toru Tokushige said, “There is a strong interest in using technology to revolutionise the way business is done in Australia. This investment is a strategic move to advance our global footprint, by providing Australian companies access to innovative technology and services that improve safety, productivity and return on investment”.

C4D Intel together with Terra Drone will immediately start to offer UAV based LiDAR data acquisition to Australian customers to complement the high end photogrammetry services it already provides. Terra Drone has significant experience with LiDAR, having conducted over 300 LiDAR- related projects. LiDAR has better conformance than photogrammetry and is particularly useful for modelling narrow objects such as transmission lines, pipelines, sharp edges and complex infrastructure such as power stations and processing plants. LiDAR is also useful in obtaining ground elevation data where dense vegetation exists, such as natural landscapes, forests and roadsides.

Terra Drone will also provide C4D Intel with Robotic Batonomous Systems ideal for mapping or scanning in GPS denied environments such as in underground mining and inside buildings. Terra Drone Japan gained access to this innovative technology through its investment in Swedish aerial robotics business Inkonova AB.

As part of the deal it is expected that C4D Intel will change its name to Terra Drone Australia in Q1 2019.

Image - Teppei Seki (left)COO, Terra Drone and Alistair Scott-Farris, Managing Director of C4D Intel Pty Ltd.