Airmodo – Drone Insurance Mobile Application

Client:
Type:

Overview

Airmodo, working with an American insurance provider, approached Bluebrick Studios with a highly specialised brief: to develop mobile applications for iOS and Android that could sell drone insurance policies through an existing broker platform.

The apps needed to cater for two very different types of coverage – annual policies at fixed rates, and hourly, location-based policies – with the latter requiring integration with real-time airspace data to calculate risk. The solution had to be fast, reliable, and compliant with the complex regulatory and operational requirements of the insurance industry.

The challenge

The project demanded a combination of technical precision and domain-specific problem-solving. Airmodo’s challenge was not just to sell insurance, but to do so in a way that responded instantly to changing conditions in the airspace.

Key challenges included:

  • Multi-platform development – Creating native applications for both iOS and Android to deliver the best possible performance and user experience.
  • Real-time risk assessment – Integrating with an airspace data provider to factor in both static and dynamic flight restrictions.
  • NOTAM data processing – Incorporating “Notice to Airmen” updates that could instantly change the risk profile of a given location.
  • Precise geolocation handling – Ensuring the apps could assess hazards within a 1-mile radius of a chosen flight location.
  • Dynamic pricing – Adjusting premiums instantly based on assessed risk, ensuring accurate quotes and compliance with underwriting rules.
  • Broker platform integration – Seamlessly connecting to the insurer’s broker system to issue and manage policies.

This required a technology solution capable of handling live data feeds, geospatial calculations, and secure transactions – all within a smooth, user-friendly interface.

Our solution

We built native mobile applications for both iOS and Android, using each platform’s preferred development languages to maximise performance and take advantage of device-specific capabilities:

  • iOS: Developed in Swift/Objective-C
  • Android: Developed in Kotlin/Java

1. Real-time airspace data integration

The apps were integrated with a UK-based third-party airspace data provider. This system delivered up-to-the-minute details on flight zones, restrictions, and hazards. By combining static airspace mapping with real-time NOTAM updates, the apps could provide accurate risk assessments that reflected current conditions.

2. Risk calculation engine

At the core of the application was a custom-built risk calculation engine. When a user selected a flight location, the system would:

  1. Determine all hazards within a 1 mile radius.
  2. Check for temporary or permanent flight restrictions.
  3. Assign a risk category based on predefined criteria.
  4. Dynamically adjust the insurance premium to match the risk profile.

This allowed Airmodo to offer precise pricing for hourly policies, ensuring both competitiveness and compliance.

3. Broker platform integration

We built a secure interface to the insurer’s broker platform via REST APIs. This allowed the apps to:

  • Retrieve available policy options.
  • Process payments securely.
  • Issue policy documents directly to the user’s device.
  • Update the broker system with policy and claims data.

Authentication and data exchange were secured using JWT (JSON Web Tokens), ensuring both performance and compliance with data protection requirements.

4. Intuitive user experience

While the backend logic was complex, we designed the front-end interface to be simple and accessible. The aim was to make purchasing a policy – whether annual or hourly – a fast, straightforward process. Users could:

  • Quickly check location risk levels.
  • Choose between policy types.
  • Complete the purchase in just a few steps.
  • Access their policy details and documents within the app.

The results

The Airmodo applications have successfully enabled the insurance provider to offer a new, flexible product to drone operators, catering to both hobbyists and commercial users.

Key outcomes include:

  • Faster policy issuance – Users can get insured in minutes, even for one-off flights.
  • Accurate, real-time pricing – Risk-based pricing ensures fairness for customers and mitigates exposure for the insurer.
  • Multi-platform reach – Both iOS and Android users have access to identical features and performance.
  • Regulatory compliance – The integration of NOTAM data ensures policies are issued with a clear understanding of potential risks.
  • Positive user adoption – The simplicity of the process encourages repeat use and improves customer satisfaction.

Ongoing partnership

We continue to work with Airmodo to:

  • Maintain compatibility with new iOS and Android releases.
  • Implement security updates to protect sensitive user and transaction data.
  • Optimise performance for faster load times and smoother geolocation processing.
  • Explore additional features, such as integration with flight planning tools and expanded coverage options.

Our ongoing support ensures the apps remain not only functional but competitive in a market where drone technology, regulations, and user expectations are evolving rapidly.

Technologies and methodologies

  • Platforms: iOS, Android
  • APIs and security: REST, JWT
  • Approach: Native app development, real-time data integration, geospatial calculations, agile delivery
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