Building a DePIN for Drone Mapping with Spexi

Connor sat down with Alec Wilson, the COO of Spexi Network, a groundbreaking drone mapping company that is revolutionizing the earth imaging space. They spoke about how Spexi is leveraging the vast number of underutilized drones to create an ultra-high-resolution base layer of earth imagery, which is significantly more detailed than what satellites and planes can provide.

Alec explained the mechanics of the Spexi Network, where drone pilots can easily capture imagery by using a mobile app that guides them through a hexagon-based system called "Spexagons." This innovative approach not only allows for high-quality data collection but also provides an opportunity for drone enthusiasts to earn money while doing something they love.

They discussed the current state of the network, including the onboarding process for pilots and the demand from various sectors, such as municipalities, government agencies, and even metaverse and AI companies. Alec shared insights into how they are currently compensating pilots with cash and points, with plans for a future token distribution.

The conversation also touched on the challenges of coordinating a decentralized network of drone pilots and the importance of regulatory clarity as they navigate the evolving landscape of crypto economics. Overall, it was an enlightening discussion about the potential of Spexi Network to create a new data set that can benefit both drone pilots and customers seeking high-resolution earth imagery.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:28 - Sponsor Message

01:02 - Explaining Spexi to the Average Person

01:30 - The Earth Imaging Market

02:43 - The Role of Drones in Earth Imaging

03:48 - How the Spexi Network Works

05:01 - Benefits of Spexi for Drone Pilots

06:17 - Creating New Data Sets

07:32 - Growing the Supply Side

09:13 - Spexi’s Pilot Selection Process

10:57 - Payment Structure for Spexi Drone Pilots

12:36 - Integrating Token Economics into the Spexi Network

14:55 - Demand Side Overview

16:00 - Customer Segments

Disclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.