HUNTSVILLE, AL | October 20, 2025 — InTerra, a pioneer in UAV-based survey solutions, announced today that it has officially been awarded U.S. Patent No. 12,416,497, titled “Mapping Apparatus and Method.” The patent was officially granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on September 16, 2025, marking a major milestone in InTerra’s mission to precision, efficiency, and reliability to the field of aerial mapping and surveying.

The patent, granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), formally recognizes the originality and practical value of InTerra’s approach to integrating receiver units and targets to improve the accuracy of aerial data collection. The original provisional application was filed on March 3, 2021.

A Breakthrough in Field Data Accuracy

At the core of this patent is SmarTarget®, InTerra’s GPS-enabled ground control system designed to simplify drone surveying and ensure results that are repeatable, accurate, and defensible. The system automates key aspects of ground control, eliminating the need for RTK subscriptions and reducing the time, cost, and complexity of survey operations at scale.

This innovation directly addresses one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: balancing precision with simplicity in field operations. By integrating hardware, software, and data workflows, SmarTarget® enables drone mappers, surveyors and engineers to achieve survey-grade accuracy without relying on manual processes or network connectivity.

“Securing this patent reinforces InTerra’s mission to bring practical, field-driven innovation to UAV surveying,” said Larry Donelson, CEO of InTerra. “SmarTarget® was built to solve real challenges survey teams face every day, reducing field time, cutting costs, and giving crews the confidence to deliver consistent, defensible data no matter the scale or complexity of the project.”

A Fully Integrated Ecosystem

SmarTarget® is part of InTerra’s American-made, NDAA-compliant ecosystem, designed to support surveying professionals from field to finish. Alongside SmarTarget®, the company offers:

Datum™ – A GPS local base station delivering sub-centimeter precision and simplified corrections.

Locator™ v4 – A visual PPK processing engine for smart field planning, target mapping, and same-day results.

Together, these products form a complete, closed-loop workflow that empowers surveyors to reduce time in the field, eliminate manual workarounds, and deliver results with confidence every time.

Innovation that Defines the Standard

The granting of a underscores InTerra’s commitment to advancing practical, field proven technology. It strengthens the company’s intellectual property foundation, reinforces credibility with partners and investors, and opens new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

This achievement also reflects the values that define InTerra: precision, integrity, and innovation. These principles continue to guide the company as it transforms how the world measures, maps, and manages the land beneath it.

With its technology now officially patented, InTerra is poised to expand its leadership in high-accuracy drone mapping, delivering solutions that are built for performance, backed by science, and trusted in the field.

About InTerra

InTerra™ is dedicated to developing cutting-edge surveying solutions that simplify workflows, improve accuracy, and accelerate information delivery. With products like SmarTarget and Datum, InTerra™ is setting a new standard for precision and efficiency in drone mapping and construction. Learn more at InTerra.

Contact Information
**Media Contact**
Ally Cook
Marketing Associate, InTerra, Inc.
Email: ally@interra5d.com

Website
www.interra5d.com

For additional inquiries or to schedule an interview, please contact our media relations team at media@interra5d.com

###