The Four Pillars of DroneWild: Hardware, Software, Machine Learning and Training
- Ben Harrower
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
At DroneWild, our mission is to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for wildlife management and conservation. Our platform is built on four foundational pillars: the latest drone hardware solutions, intelligent software, advanced machine learning, and practical, real-world training. These pillars work in tandem to deliver unmatched accuracy, efficiency, and minimal disturbance in the field, ensuring that every flight brings you closer to your conservation goals.
1. Hardware: Lightweight, Portable and Powerful
Our hardware choices are informed not only by our sister company BH Wildlife Consultancy’s extensive experience in wildlife drone survey work, but also by over a year of field trials conducted with FLS wildlife rangers across all five regions of the UK. These trials involved head-to-head comparisons of industry-leading thermal imaging drones from DJI, Autel, and Parrot. The DJI Mavic 3T and DJI Matrice 4T consistently outperformed others in essential performance areas, including thermal sensor effectiveness and clarity of optical zoom, while retaining the minimum levels of wind and weather resistance, portability, and battery life.
These are not drones made for hobbyists. They are professional-grade tools built to operate in demanding landscapes. To complement this, we’ve developed rugged, lightweight custom carriage systems for the Mavic 3T and Matrice 4T. These bespoke boxes are designed for real-world use, whether that means carrying them independently on foot, strapping them to an ATV, or packing them into a backpack.
DroneWild’s expertise in UAVs goes beyond these flagship models. We also deploy larger drones like the Matrice 30T and 350 complete with H30T for broader wildlife survey work, and are exploring the use of heavy-lift drones for remote equipment or carcass extraction. Whatever your operational needs, DroneWild’s hardware advisory team will match you with the right tools for the job.
2. Software: Mapping the Wild with Intelligence
DroneWild’s software is the heart of our platform, designed from the ground up to meet the specific demands of wildlife survey work. Developed in close collaboration with GIS developers and refined through years of practical use with BH Wildlife Consultancy, our system is built for ease and speed of data entry for drone operators.
The software offers real-time mapping and data capture that is accessible on both smartphones and tablets. It allows users to log sightings, track animals, record environmental data, annotate maps, and maintain compliance with flight safety and risk assessment protocols - all one interface.
In 2025, DroneWild is rolling out an in-house ATAK system that will revolutionise team coordination. This system will integrate seamlessly with drone controllers and mobile devices to provide real-time overlays of drone feeds, geospatial maps, and the positions of other ground and aerial units. The result: seamless team logistics, better situational awareness, and safer, more efficient operations.
3. Machine Learning: Smarter Surveys, Better Data
The third pillar of the DroneWild platform is our cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence. In partnership with Addax Data Science, we are training advanced machine learning models using an image database of over 250,000 drone captures from our database. This extensive dataset includes multiple species, habitats, and weather conditions, enabling our models to become increasingly accurate and adaptable.
Our AI systems are capable of real-time species recognition, behaviour analysis, and will soon be able to identify sex and age breakdowns in deer populations. This enables more precise wildlife monitoring and enhances decision-making with near-instant analysis.
By automating species identification and integrating AI directly into drone workflows, we drastically reduce human error, save countless hours of manual review, and ensure a consistent, science-backed approach to every drone operation. It's a leap forward in data-driven conservation.
4. Training: Turning Tools into Field Expertise
We believe technology should empower people, not complicate their work. That’s why training is a core component of the DroneWild ecosystem. We partner with certified training providers to help users complete their A2 C of C and GVC qualifications, ensuring full compliance with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards.
Furthermore, our bespoke onboarding programs are tailored to your organisation’s specific use case. Our training covers thermal drone usage, data collection, AI interpretation, and real-time software operation.
In addition, we offer a robust support infrastructure: online helpdesk, digital resources, refresher modules, and on-demand consultations. With DroneWild, you're supported at every step of your journey.
Built for Rangers, Backed by Science
From smart software and rugged drones to AI-driven insights and expert training, DroneWild offers a fully integrated solution for modern conservation. Our end-to-end platform empowers teams to monitor wildlife populations with unprecedented precision and minimal disturbance, making a real difference in deer management,field operations, and environmental stewardship.
Contact us today to learn more about how DroneWild can transform your approach to wildlife management.
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