An in-depth analysis of the Australian and African mining industries has found that boosting productivity is the need of the hour. And one way to achieve that is with artificial intelligence (AI). In keeping with that, drone-based data provider, Delta Drone International (ASX: DLT) has announced a new product addition to its data solutions business model via its partnership and distribution agreement with Strayos, a US-based software provider to the mining industry. 

Delta CEO, Christopher Clark, shared, “We have been assessing the markets in which we predominantly operate, being Australia and Africa, and have identified that our customers want a stronger vertically integrated solution that not only includes data capture but also data insights. 

“Overlaying AI in our current data workflows adds a higher value proposition to the end user, resulting in [a] faster turnaround of reporting and ultimately simplifying decision-making within these complex environments.” 

Clark feels that this partnership is mutually beneficial. While Delta will get to diversify its revenue streams, Strayos will get to benefit from Delta’s marketing presence.

The Company will be employing Strayos’s new software platform, which boasts advanced image processing, digitalization, and AI tools designed to improve safety, efficiency, and productivity in mining job sites. The software is enabled by aerial imagery and lidar, which are captured by drones, and used to create digital twins of sites. 

Then, these digital twins are enhanced using data from sensors present in mining equipment. By analysing the twin, Strayos AI generates insights that can help mining management and engineers make better decisions and fast. 

Strayos CEO, Ravi Sahu, commented, “By partnering with Delta Drone, customers in Africa and Australia will be able to take advantage of Strayos’ AI-powered solutions and insights to optimize their operations for safety, sustainability, and productivity from mine to [the] mill. Delta Drone is an excellent partner for this market expansion as they can immediately expand the products and value add they offer to their current customers and are well-positioned to support new customers.”

Additionally, this new arrangement will allow Delta to distribute software licences across Africa and Australia, either directly or via resellers and consultants. The Company will integrate the Strayos solution for both existing and new customers. This way, customers will get to use Strayos to generate ongoing operational insights across business operations. 

Though Delta does not have exclusive access to Strayos’s software yet, it has an exclusivity option available if it meets the agreed sales targets. If Delta achieves Strayos sales worth $1.80 million, it will get the stamp of exclusivity from Strayos. 

To achieve that, within Australia and Africa, the Company will provide drone services to its customers and use Strayos’ suite of services to process the customers’ data. It might also become a distributor and receive a commission for doing so. This partnership might help elevate the Company’s revenue, which was down 7 percent on Q2FY22 in the September quarter of 2022.