Drone technology way of getting places people could not go safely

DataWing Global an eye in sky for companies

SAN ANTONIODataWing Global is the Alamo City-area company offering a birds-eye view of the world for clients in any number of arenas, from oil and gas to telecommunications.

CEO Steven Fargo said companies are catching on to this concept, and DataWing aims to be one of the biggest and most well-known drone flying startups in San Antonio and across the nation.

"Companies are finding out where they can use this as an additional tool," Fargo said. "Sometimes companies want to use these drones, and use them like another tool in their toolbox."

DataWing has been in business just two years, but already it has a client list that spans industries from insurance to construction to emergency management. Fargo's company can fly a drone equipped with a camera and record or transmit high definition images to the client. In some cases, the pictures can be used to help assess a dangerous situation, saving time or even lives.

Fargo and his associates say that drones will impact data-collection methods indefinitely as they are put to more uses. The insurance industry, for instance, would be able to use drones in a more robust capacity by flying over roofs with hail damage. Critics say drones would be taking away a human's job. But not so, Fargo said. Rather, the drone will allow the human employee to monitor the situation safely from the ground while the drone gathers the data from above. 

"In no way are drones replacing humans at this point," he said. "Really, they're enabling humans to accomplish more, and doing it in a safer way, a faster way, and a more efficient way."

The telecom industry is another major area where drones could be put to good use, Fargo said. Drones can be helpful inspecting cell towers, providing line of sight surveys and other vital functions.

Nationally, DataWing hopes to make a splash by being the go-to drone provider through a network of outlets based in key areas throughout the country. Fargo hopes that topographic mapping in construction, flare stack inspections in the oil and gas industry, and firefighting, search and rescue or oil spills dealing with emergency situations, will all be put to use through this passion.