XTEND acquires drone inspection company Performance Rotors

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XTEND, the developer of XOS, an operating system that serves as a human extension to help users that have no flight experience operate drones, has acquired Performance Rotors, a Singapore-based drone inspection company. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

This acquisition will help to boost XTEND’s ability to offer human-guided, remote interactive operations in a range of inspection scenarios and grow its global business.

XTEND’s system uses virtual reality, sensor fusion and its patented Mark & Fly technology to empower users with little or no flight experience to make better decisions while flying drones. The system is designed to be wearable, mobile and lightweight, and can be controlled with single-hand, natural hand gestures. 

“Our acquisition of Performance Rotors marks the latest step in furthering XTEND’s vision of making remote interactive operations accessible to everyone, in a range of scenarios, including inspection, public safety and security,” Aviv Shapira, co-founder, and CEO at XTEND, said. “Every day, people risk their lives to make our world safer. Inspection is just one area, among many, where machines, robots and drones can be used to accomplish what people can’t, in a more economical, efficient, and safer manner. We are delighted that Keith Ng, Performance Rotors’ co-founder and CEO, and his team are joining XTEND on our journey towards making XOS the operating system of choice for controlling drones, robots, vehicles, smart devices, and smart machines remotely, safely, and intuitively.”

Performance Rotors offers drone asset inspection services for a variety of industries, including oil & gas, maritime, and infrastructure inspections. The company also offers aerial services, like aerial photography and videography, and digitalization services. 

“Performance Rotors’s mission has always been to develop drones and robotics solutions for data acquisition in GPS-denied and confined space environments, without the risk to human lives,” Keith Ng, co-founder, and CEO of Performance Rotors, said. “Our extensive client base spans many of the world’s major oil and gas, maritime and infrastructure projects, and our hardware is being used across the World, particularly in APAC. We are confident that combining XTEND’s innovative XOS software with our world-class technology brings the best of the industry together in one powerful and easy-to-use solution that comprehensively addresses the critical challenges facing our customers today.”

Chartered Group, a global private equity firm, led the acquisition. The group provides investment funds and opportunities for a greener and more digitized world. 

“The acquisition of Performance Rotors not only enriches XTEND’s offering in industrial inspection, but it will also enable Aviv and his team to further diversify their expertise in oil and gas, maritime and infrastructure projects, and develop XTEND’s software business globally, particularly here in APAC and Japan,” Eyal Agmoni, Chairman of Chartered Group, said.