Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Spexi — from how the platform works and who it’s for, to earning as a pilot, using our data in GIS systems, and more. Explore answers by topic or reach out if you don’t see what you’re looking for.

What Spexi Is (and Isn’t)

Are you a drone operator or a software platform?

We are a SaaS company with a built-in network of drone pilots across North America. Spexi manages the missions, processing, and delivery end-to-end. So you get actionable imagery without needing to operate hardware or manage pilots.

Do I need to own/manage drones, or do you provide the imagery as a service?

No. You don’t need to buy, maintain, or operate drones. Spexi delivers imagery as a service; you simply request coverage, and we handle the rest.

Why wouldn’t I just hire a drone contractor?

Hiring contractors often means inconsistent outputs, limited scalability, and slower delivery. Spexi standardizes everything: from imagery formats to delivery hence giving you reliable, repeatable results at scale.

Speed & Refresh

How quickly can I view the imagery?

If we already have the area captured, you get instant access via login. If not, we activate a mission immediately and typically deliver a mid- to large-city dataset within a week. Our fastest turnaround to date: 11 hours

What if we want a fresh set of data for an existing area?

Refreshing your dataset is as easy as clicking a button. Once you request it, Spexi creates a mission and alerts the pilot network, who collect fresh imagery and push it live.

How frequently can you update coverage? Is it monthly, quarterly, or only on demand?

We refresh coverage on demand — whenever you request it. If you need scheduled refresh cycles (e.g., monthly or quarterly), we can set those up.

Quality & Formats

What are some of the distinctive benefits that I wouldn’t get anywhere else?
  • 50× more affordable than traditional aerial imagery

  • 30× higher resolution than satellites

  • 200× faster delivery than legacy solutions

What formats do you deliver data in?
  • Standardized Image APIs

  • Oblique imagery

  • Orthomosaic imagery 

What’s the resolution and accuracy of your imagery?

Our imagery is typically captured at sub 3 cm resolution, vastly sharper than satellite and traditional aerial sources. This level of detail allows for confident asset inspection, claims review, and GIS analysis.

Integration & Operations

Do you integrate with ESRI?

Yes. Our imagery is ESRI-compatible and plugs directly into ArcGIS workflows. You can view, analyze, and overlay Spexi data alongside your existing GIS layers.

Do I control when and where flights happen, or do you decide?

Spexi manages the missions end-to-end. Once you request coverage, we determine flight timing, assign pilots, and set reward sizes to ensure missions are completed reliably. This approach guarantees consistency, efficiency, and faster delivery compared to ad-hoc contractor scheduling.

What’s the resolution and accuracy of your imagery?

Our imagery is typically captured at sub 3 cm resolution, vastly sharper than satellite and traditional aerial sources. This level of detail allows for confident asset inspection, claims review, and GIS analysis.