Bentley Systems announced on January 5 that it has acquired Talon Aerolytics, a platform for capturing utility infrastructure data analysis, and the technology and intellectual property of Pointivo, an AI-powered drone asset inspection and data processing platform.
Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed. The Bentley Asset Analytic portfolio already includes OpenTower iQ for telecom towers and Blyncsy for road networks. The acquisitions expand Bentley’s reach in both telecommunications and electric utilities, enabling design and build workflows that support global 5G deployment and network modernization. As grid demands and electrification imperatives to support projects like data centers drive construction demand, infrastructure owners are asking contractors to digitize, analyze and optimize assets at scale.
“In terms of what inventory [utility owners] We have, the conditions of those assets and by leveraging the artificial intelligence and digital twins that we offer as part of asset analytics, we’re helping them collect that data and also be able to perform predictive maintenance on those assets,” said James Lee, Bentley’s chief operating officer. “It’s an explosive marker, in terms of growth.”
Talon, the utility-focused platform, automates site surveys, inspections and asset digitization, including taking drone data such as point clouds and turning it into a usable 3D model.
“By joining Bentley Systems, we are poised to expand our global reach and improve asset resiliency by integrating Bentley’s advanced engineering simulation capabilities,” says Rod Dir, CEO of Talon, who will join Bentley.
“At Nokia, delivering reliable and resilient networks for our customers and the communities they serve is a top priority. Our collaboration with Talon, leveraging its asset inspection and data intelligence capabilities together with Nokia’s mobile network engineering and leadership, significantly strengthens this critical foundation,” said Klaus Metnitzer, Nokia’s head of execution excellence and deployment service for North America. “Together, these solutions enable our customers to manage their infrastructure more efficiently, respond quickly to challenges and ensure continuous connectivity when it matters most.”
The acquisition of Pointivo’s technologies, including its intellectual property and know-how, provides Bentley with horizontal capabilities for Bentley Asset Analytics, including drone data processing, AI-powered damage detection such as rust on utility poles and geolocation, the company said.
“Our proprietary AI-powered damage detection and inventory technology was built to turn large volumes of unstructured visual data into accurate and reliable insights,” says Jacob Garland, CTO of Pointivo who will also join Bentley after the acquisitions close. “Our team of experts has been at the forefront of advanced point cloud processing, automated measurement and detection of asset conditions, and high-fidelity drone capture, all capabilities that naturally complement Bentley’s portfolio, including OpenTower iQ.”
Bentley said the new acquisitions will be integrated into its asset management platforms, and integrations are already coming, as both were partners before being acquired.
“This is not just a digital twin for the sake of a digital twin or a pretty picture, but real use cases are being adopted here,” says Mike Schellhase, Vice President of Asset Analytics at Bentley.
