Drone Ops Solutions

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• 2025-02-03

  Owner Seeks Clarity On Running Drone-Powered Cleaning Business

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  Jamie Shaw, a drone operator and the owner of Drone Ops Solutions of America, had found an innovative way to transform the window-cleaning industry by using drones. However, that transformation was put on hold when it appeared his operation would be temporarily halted. Shaw, who was first interviewed about his business by Spectrum News 1 last fall, hoped to offer a safer and more efficient solution for cleaning building exteriors. “It is power washing and exterior facade cleaning with drones. Does it get any cooler than that?” said Shaw during the interview. At the time, Shaw was filled with optimism, but his current circumstances paint a different picture. Midway through a job, a client unexpectedly asked him to stop. “They informed me that New York State has contacted them and informed them that my approach to cleaning windows and the buildings is not approved by New York state, and I would have to stop immediately,” Shaw said. He said his business was issued an order to stop work that had a notice header that read, "Department of Building, City of White Plains.” Spectrum News 1 called the Department of Building and they confirmed that they did send a notice to one of his job sites. Seeking clarity, Shaw reached out to the Department of Labor. “They gave me a list of four or five things that New York state recognizes as an approved method of cleaning windows that consists of ladders, scaffolding and people repelling down from ropes from the top of a building or working from a window ledge," Shaw explained. State agencies aren’t the only obstacle Shaw faces. He noted that a second building inspector interrupted his work, despite having all the necessary permits. “I am pioneering a new industry. I don't know where they’re being tipped off. Were they being told? Was I being ratted on for some reason? You know, am I ruffling feathers? I don't know why,” Shaw said. The Department of Labor said that drone window cleaning is not currently approved in New York state. However, the agency clarified in a statement to Spectrum News 1 that it was not ordering him to stop doing business. “We haven't issued violations, stop-work orders, or license revocations against Drone Ops Solutions of New York. Businesses can continue operating during compliance inspections.” But Shaw says that even though he received that email, he claims the Department of Labor did at one point send him a stop work order for one job site, but explained that it was the Department of Building in White Plains that issued a stop work order for another site. Shaw says the confusion has had an impact on his business. “Not only did they interrupt the work, they interrupted the relationship that I built with my clients. Now, the trust that was there is being questioned,” he said. The financial strain is significant, with Shaw saying that tens of thousands of dollars in unfinished work have made it difficult to compensate both himself and his college student employees. In response to his challenges, Shaw received a letter from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office acknowledging that the state needs time to adapt to new technology.
• 2024-10-03

  Drones Revolutionize New York High-Rise Window Cleaning Business

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  Washing windows on high-rise buildings has always been a risky job, but Jamie Shaw, founder of DroneOps Solutions of America, has found a safer solution — drones. By using drones for exterior cleaning, Shaw is reducing the risks and making the process more efficient. “It’s power washing and exterior facade cleaning with drones — can it get any cooler than that?" Shaw said. Shaw's custom drones, weighing around 35 pounds and powered by two batteries, eliminate the need for ladders and scaffolding. This means workers are no longer suspended by ropes, one of the most dangerous aspects of traditional window cleaning. “A window cleaner once repelled down a rope ... he got stuck, and the fire department had to rescue him. It’s dangerous work," Shaw added. Some high-rise buildings have permanent window-washing rigs, but these can also malfunction. For example, one rig failed in downtown Rochester, leaving a worker stranded. Shaw’s drones clean approximately 750 square feet per hour and use filtered water for rinsing. Beyond just enhancing safety, Shaw is also creating opportunities for local students to get involved in this new technology. Students from the University of Rochester are working with Shaw to help expand the business. "I was Jamie’s first real employee here, and now I’ve got my friends involved. Together, we’re trying to expand this across the country, maybe even globally," said Guruansh Kohli, a University of Rochester student. U of R students Gavin James-Dues and Nate Mills also work with Shaw. These students aren’t just working for Shaw, they’re helping shape the future of the industry. Shaw is offering franchise opportunities, allowing students to graduate with a college degree and the potential to own a business in this growing field. “They’re going to graduate and be business owners in the latest franchise going across the country — how cool is that?" Shaw expressed. With no limits in sight, Shaw’s drone technology is reshaping the future of high-rise window cleaning, one flight at a time.
• 2024-09-10

  Local Company Uses State-Of-The-Art Technology to Wash Windows Downtown

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  A window-washing company is going to new heights with cutting-edge technology. Drone Ops Solutions of New York has been using advanced drone technology to clean various buildings downtown, including Innovation Square. The drones can be deployed in less than a minute, minimizing the need for workers to be on roofs and ladders. "The highlight of the company is the power-washing drone," said Jamie Shaw, president of Drone Ops Solutions of New York. "It's about a 35-pound drone and we can clean vertical buildings up to 200 feet at a time."

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