Site Technologies provides “AI-assisted, expert-backed assessments” of commercial real estate properties. The use of such tech by various vendors has become more common over the last decade.

“We send out local FAA-licensed drone pilots” to inspect pavement, roof, facades, and rooftop mechanical units, Austin Rabine, co-founder and CEO, tells GlobeSt.com. About 98% of the image capture is done with drones, although at times the company uses manned aircraft or satellite imagery.

Collecting images and video in this way can be more efficient and effective than sending experts to do an in-person inspection.

Customers may only want a visual inspection of one part of a building, like the roof, but Site captures everything, so it is available if later needed.

Computer vision uses machine learning and expert training to distinguish “normal” objects from those that need attention or repair, according to Rabine. Then, AI software can sift through the visual data and apply condition scores to the images. The software can note which objects and specific locations on the property have mediocre or poor scores, making them candidates for repair, replacement or upgrade.

Site’s system can identify the problems and provide an estimate of the likely repair cost, as the company has an extensive pricing database.

Such image capturing can collect information that might not appear in normal inspections, like a clogged roof drain that could cause problems.

“What we see is that, if they don’t have a solution like this, 30% to 70% of the asset level data for a portfolio is either missing, stale, or unusable,” says Rabine.

Companies with large portfolios typically have people at all their buildings, but the personnel aren’t experts in all aspects, like pavements, roofs or facades.

“A lot of what they’re doing onsite is being maintenance techs or building engineers,” he says. “Everyone is looking at it through a different lens.” Something that would stand out to a relevant expert might go unnoticed by someone with a different background.

“We’ve been doing this for seven years now, but there’s still a little bit of a question,” Rabine says. “We’ve proven that it can see everything boots on the ground can see.”

Having the information can be helpful in times of storms or natural disasters when dealing with insurance. Before and after images and reports can provide evidence of changes that can be attributed to an insured event.

Where human expertise comes into play is in any decision about whether a property condition warrants action at the time.

“We know you don’t have $50 million to spend,” Rabine says.

“What do the budgets look like so we can get strategic? We’re looking at real-world situations and saying, We know they don’t have the budget. Maybe they’re selling a building in three years; maybe it’s vacant.’”

Software won’t have the ability to consider all the factors a business faces and the optimum schedule for taking action.

Read the full Commercial Observer article here.