New integration enables fully automated drone operations for real-time mapping and analysis in the ArcGIS ecosyste
FlytBase and Esri Announce Strategic Collaboration
FlytBase, a global provider of autonomous drone software, has announced a new partnership with geographic information system (GIS) technology leader Esri. The collaboration enables full integration between FlytBase’s autonomous drone platform and Esri’s Site Scan for ArcGIS, allowing aerial imagery to flow directly into GIS workflows.
Solving the Manual Mapping Challenge
Organizations that rely on site maps and spatial data often struggle with outdated imagery due to the time and effort required for manual drone flights or contracted surveys. The result can be a lag between real-world changes and digital updates, creating potential gaps in decision-making.
FlytBase’s solution addresses this challenge through automation. The company’s platform enables users to schedule autonomous drone flights that capture, process, and transfer aerial data directly into the ArcGIS ecosystem. The entire process—from flight planning to analysis—can now happen without manual intervention.
Benefits of the Integration
By combining drone autonomy with GIS, this integration supports a wide range of enterprise applications, including construction tracking, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. Automated change detection tools help users compare current data to past missions, identifying progress or deviations without the need for manual review.
“FlytBase provides a pivotal capability to bridge the gap between drone automation and the ArcGIS system,” said Jeremiah Johnson, Esri solution engineer. “Esri is proud to be partnering with FlytBase as part of the Esri Startup Program.”
FlytBase CEO and Founder Nitin Gupta said the partnership represents a step change in drone use. “We’ve eliminated the biggest bottleneck in drone operations—the gap between data collection and actionable insights. Our customers can now deploy a drone dock, schedule automated flights, and wake up to digital twins in Site Scan without touching a single button. This isn’t just an integration—it’s a fundamental shift from manual drone operations to true autonomous intelligence,” Gupta said.
Enterprise-Grade Security and Flexibility
FlytBase’s platform meets major enterprise data standards, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. For organizations with strict data requirements, the software can be deployed on-premise. The system also includes Flinks, which allows seamless integration with third-party apps and hardware, and AI-R, which offers real-time object detection and cost-effective video streaming.
About the Companies
Founded in 2016, FlytBase helps system integrators automate drone operations for use cases such as inspections, emergency response, and site security. Its software supports beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight and integrates easily with enterprise data tools.
Esri, founded in 1969, is a leading provider of GIS software used in more than 100 countries. Its ArcGIS platform supports businesses, governments, and institutions with tools for location-based analysis and decision-making.
For more information, visit www.flytbase.com or www.esri.com.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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