Spexi · LayerDrone
Drone Pilot
Usman Alvi flies as a drone pilot for Spexi.
A Spexi pilot does not plan a custom shoot. The app shows hexagonal map zones, called Spexigons, that still need pictures. The app flies the pattern. The pilot launches from a safe spot, keeps the drone in sight, and takes over if something is wrong.
Each flight records straight-down and angled stills, sharp enough to measure from, and shot the same way every time. The photos come off the drone’s card and are uploaded in Spexi Explorer. LayerDrone matches them to that flight. Verified pictures join its open imagery network. Spexi is the company that turns them into maps, panoramas, inspections, and training data for customers who never book a pilot themselves. The LayerDrone Foundation looks after the network. Spexi looks after the missions and the customers.
Pilots are paid by the LayerDrone Foundation in USDC, a digital dollar, after the images verify. One USDC is one US dollar, sent to the pilot’s wallet. A typical verified mission also pays about 25 reputation points, which are used to reserve the next zones. The dollar amount is printed on each mission and changes with demand. Some zones pay points only. An early Spexi test paid $15 for about 7 minutes in the air. A 2026 Los Angeles campaign paid $20 USDC a mission.