Introducing PolePilot™: Intelligent automation for utility pole analysis

Analyzing distribution pole imagery is traditionally a manual, time-consuming process. There are several factors that add to the complexity – how many attachments the pole has, whether the bolts are visible, the angle or perspective of the photo, the vegetation surrounding the pole, wires and equipment – which can lead to errors and inconsistencies in annotations or measurements.

Today we launched PolePilot™, a new AI-powered assistant built into IKE Office Pro that automates much of this process. Using computer vision models, PolePilot identifies equipment on poles—such as power lines, fiber, transformers, and streetlights—and records heights of attachment automatically, cutting down the time, cost and errors of manual annotation.

Why PolePilot matters for utilities and telecom providers

For industry professionals charged with managing thousands of poles, data accuracy and efficiency are critical. Manual annotation requires time, experience, and strict quality control, yet errors or inconsistencies can still creep in. PolePilot addresses these challenges directly:

• Faster analysis – Pole equipment and attachment heights are automatically detected and marked, accelerating workflows and reducing backlogs.
• Optimized display – Colorful, transparent overlays highlight key equipment and measurements can be auto-arranged for easy review and clearer reporting.
• Improved consistency – AI-driven annotations reduce human error and standardize results across teams.
• Lower onboarding hurdles – New analysts can be trained faster, since PolePilot handles much of the heavy initial photo analysis work.
• Optimized QC processes – Analysts and supervisors can focus on review and exception handling rather than repetitive annotation.

As utilities and telecom providers look to expand and harden networks—driven by grid modernization and fiber broadband expansion—the need for scalable, reliable data insights has never been greater. PolePilot is designed with precisely these priorities in mind.

Built on IKE’s expertise in overhead networks

PolePilot is the latest advancement in IKE’s automation capabilities, which includes applications for double wood detection and joint-use ticket automation. These tools are collectively helping utilities and their engineering partners streamline asset management tasks that historically consumed valuable time and resources.

By bringing automated annotation into IKE Office Pro, PolePilot transforms one of the most labor-intensive parts of pole data analysis. Our goal is to leverage our expertise in pole imagery to remove friction from the process.

Field-proven through real-world testing

PolePilot underwent beta testing with industry partners. During the beta program, participants reported shorter analysis times, improved data consistency, and new efficiencies in training and quality control.

Matthew Carroll of Linetec Services, one of the beta testers, highlighted how PolePilot accelerated the handoff between initial tagging and QC review:

“PolePilot helps improve consistency in the HOA tagging process. It will help speed up the QC process as well as onboard new hires that may not have as much industry experience.”

This combination of speed, accuracy and usability translates into reduced operational costs and faster project timelines.

Stay tuned for future applications of PolePilot for overhead asset management across IKE’s suite.

Learn more about PolePilot for IKE Office Pro

Elizabeth Etzel is Product Manager for IKE Office Pro’s mobile field data collection and data management solutions. With a foundation in geography, GIS and ecological fieldwork, Elizabeth began her career conducting environmental and biological surveys, before moving into environmental education. During her nearly eight years at IKE, she has served in roles across support, training, solutions engineering and product development. Elizabeth oversees product roadmaps, feature prioritization, user experience design and monthly release cycles. She leads discovery, requirements gathering and feedback sessions, collaborating closely with engineers and analysts to deliver customer-focused solutions. Her expertise spans GNSS, geospatial data, product integration, QA and technical writing, with a strong emphasis on improving workflows.