Cyriac Joseph: A Tech-Savvy Leaders Commanding The UAV/Drone Industry In India
Cyriac Joseph
Founder
Only a few companies are currently manufacturing and servicing to this high potential market, and one of the leading drone services company is M/s. Squadrone Infra and Mining Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Squadrone becoming a leading provider of UAV based Services Safety & Environmental services can be traced back to the visionary endeavors of an experienced drone professional with immense experience, Cyriac Joseph the founder & CEO of Squadrone. Cyriac has spent close to three decades working in the mining, steel, and infrastructure sectors across India, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Oman, and Southeast Asia. Spearheaded by Cyriac, the company offers a comprehensive set of services, based on Aerial Intelligence and computer vision that includes Aerial Surveying, 3D Reality Modelling, Infrastructure planning, Mine Planning & Inspections, Tunneling, Dam Inspections, Ecology & Environment, Wind power and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)solutions.
In an exclusive conversation with CEO Insights,Cyriac discusses his professional path and how he has been planning the company's business approaches.
According to you, what are the unique skillsets and strengths that differentiate you from your peers in the industry?
We are experts in remote project operations in the Infrastructure and Mining sectors, Mineral exploration, infrastructure development, project monitoring, safety management, upgrading, and maintaining high standards of pit safety, ecology and environmental management for project sustainability, and technology application and digitization of mining operations for business, environ mental and safety enhancement.
When it comes to the digital transfor mation of traditional business domains, it's critical to grasp the finer points of the existing ecosystem, precisely identify the area of focus, and take a practical and tactical approach so that the data generated is optimal, valuable, and appropriate for the system without being an overkill. This would smoothen the transition and allow organic and traditional systems to
accept and embrace this technology for successful and longterm implementation, perhaps igniting further applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI&ML), which is where we excel.
We have been involved with drone techno logy for the past 4-5 years. Squadrone is a one-of-a-kind drone services firm in India, thanks to our deep domain expertise in remote location projects in mining, infrastructure, Tunneling, Dams, Water resources, Ecology & Environment Safety, and more.
You have over 28 years of experience in various aspects of Remote location operations, UAV/Drone applications in Mining, Infrastructure and much more. How does your experience help you to chalk out business strategy for the company?
What appeared to be magical yesterday is no longer magical today, and what appears to be magical now may not appear to be amazing tomorrow. Every day, something new emerges as a result of technological advancements, displacing the previous way of life. What we've always said is that unless we accept technology, we won't be able to keep up with these rapidly changing times and that the faster we embrace technology, the faster we'll be able to accelerate our enterprises.
I have always worked on Green field projects, particularly Mining & Infra structure projects in environmentally sensitive locations, nuclear power projects, and mining projects where data acquisition accessibility and connectivity were major obstacles. With the innovation, approach ability and availability of technology, it is now quicker and cheaper to execute and align enterprises and operations to achieve Sustainable Develop ment Goals(SDGs) and 'Net Zero' operations in the Mining and Infrastructure industry.
What are some of the latest techno logies that you have deployed in the organization and how has been the outcome?
Nothing in today's environment prevents us from capturing, integrating, and profiting from the right technology. Unlike in the past, technology and knowledge from all around the world are now readily avail able. Squadrone recognizes not just our clients' needs and issues, but also their desires and provides smart, costeffective, and innovative solutions that go beyond their problem statement. Drones can immediately record digital data when they are used. Today, data
We have been involved with drone techno logy for the past 4-5 years. Squadrone is a one-of-a-kind drone services firm in India, thanks to our deep domain expertise in remote location projects in mining, infrastructure, Tunneling, Dams, Water resources, Ecology & Environment Safety, and more.
Squadrone recognizes not just our clients' needs and issues, but also their desires, and provides smart cost-effective, and innovative solutions that go beyond their problem statement
You have over 28 years of experience in various aspects of Remote location operations, UAV/Drone applications in Mining, Infrastructure and much more. How does your experience help you to chalk out business strategy for the company?
What appeared to be magical yesterday is no longer magical today, and what appears to be magical now may not appear to be amazing tomorrow. Every day, something new emerges as a result of technological advancements, displacing the previous way of life. What we've always said is that unless we accept technology, we won't be able to keep up with these rapidly changing times and that the faster we embrace technology, the faster we'll be able to accelerate our enterprises.
I have always worked on Green field projects, particularly Mining & Infra structure projects in environmentally sensitive locations, nuclear power projects, and mining projects where data acquisition accessibility and connectivity were major obstacles. With the innovation, approach ability and availability of technology, it is now quicker and cheaper to execute and align enterprises and operations to achieve Sustainable Develop ment Goals(SDGs) and 'Net Zero' operations in the Mining and Infrastructure industry.
What are some of the latest techno logies that you have deployed in the organization and how has been the outcome?
Nothing in today's environment prevents us from capturing, integrating, and profiting from the right technology. Unlike in the past, technology and knowledge from all around the world are now readily avail able. Squadrone recognizes not just our clients' needs and issues, but also their desires and provides smart, costeffective, and innovative solutions that go beyond their problem statement. Drones can immediately record digital data when they are used. Today, data
reigns supreme, and if it's digital, it helps to accelerate the transformation of traditional businesses and the adoption of AI and ML.
We are in the process of the procurement of some of the most cutting edge drone based sensors for Lidar, Thermal, and Spectral imaging in the next 6-8 weeks. The aim and mission of Squadrone are to deliver the Best of the world to India's mining and infrastructure sectors.
Explain your experiences concerning communicating drone technology strategies to partners & investors.
The majority of mineral exploration, mining, railways, power transmission, and other infrastructure projects, especially greenfield projects, are located in tough terrain and are difficult to access. Drone technology and 3D modelling, combined with AI & ML and computer vision technologies, enable deep visualization of projects and literally bring them from the ‘Bush to the Boardroom'facilitating quick and efficient decision-making by project lead managers and directors, as well as monitoring and fast-tracking project execution, resulting in significant cost and time savings.
We have heard and read on a number of occasions that India's mining and infrastructure sector is always behind the curve when it comes to digital technologies. But I don't see why we are behind when similar remote sensing and space technology is being deployed in the same industries in South Africa, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere, producing futuristic results. Thus, we must be quick to adopt smart technologies in order to drive our operations, in these sectors. We will be able to accelerate our business while bringing in greater productivity, safety and sustainable development of these remote projects.
What is your message for future leaders in the domain of drone technology?
My message is not particularly directed to the future leaders in the domain of drone technology but, is directed to the leaders and domain experts in infrastructure and mining sector to harness this smart drone technology from within wherein, the domain experts can play a catalytic role in the transformation rather than external imposition of this technology. This would be the game changer moment for the future of your business and could steer your organizations to zenith.
Cyriac Joseph, Founder, Squadrone Infra & Mining
Cyriac is basically a Mining engineer from Bangalore University(1993) and First class Mines manager’s certificate holder from the Directorate General of Mines safety, Government of India. He is also a trained Drone Pilot and has been working in the Mining, Steel and Infrastructure sector for the last 28 years in India, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Oman and South-East Asia.
We are in the process of the procurement of some of the most cutting edge drone based sensors for Lidar, Thermal, and Spectral imaging in the next 6-8 weeks. The aim and mission of Squadrone are to deliver the Best of the world to India's mining and infrastructure sectors.
Explain your experiences concerning communicating drone technology strategies to partners & investors.
The majority of mineral exploration, mining, railways, power transmission, and other infrastructure projects, especially greenfield projects, are located in tough terrain and are difficult to access. Drone technology and 3D modelling, combined with AI & ML and computer vision technologies, enable deep visualization of projects and literally bring them from the ‘Bush to the Boardroom'facilitating quick and efficient decision-making by project lead managers and directors, as well as monitoring and fast-tracking project execution, resulting in significant cost and time savings.
We have heard and read on a number of occasions that India's mining and infrastructure sector is always behind the curve when it comes to digital technologies. But I don't see why we are behind when similar remote sensing and space technology is being deployed in the same industries in South Africa, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere, producing futuristic results. Thus, we must be quick to adopt smart technologies in order to drive our operations, in these sectors. We will be able to accelerate our business while bringing in greater productivity, safety and sustainable development of these remote projects.
What is your message for future leaders in the domain of drone technology?
My message is not particularly directed to the future leaders in the domain of drone technology but, is directed to the leaders and domain experts in infrastructure and mining sector to harness this smart drone technology from within wherein, the domain experts can play a catalytic role in the transformation rather than external imposition of this technology. This would be the game changer moment for the future of your business and could steer your organizations to zenith.
Cyriac Joseph, Founder, Squadrone Infra & Mining
Cyriac is basically a Mining engineer from Bangalore University(1993) and First class Mines manager’s certificate holder from the Directorate General of Mines safety, Government of India. He is also a trained Drone Pilot and has been working in the Mining, Steel and Infrastructure sector for the last 28 years in India, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Oman and South-East Asia.