“Legacy of Leaders” is an inspiring TV show featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs and leaders around the world. The show focuses on business leadership, motivation, and success stories, with the goal of sparking inspiration and igniting success in the audience. Today our host, Captain Rick Hoffman, spoke with Robert Dahlstrom.
Robert Dahlstrom
Founder and CEO of Apellix
Website Address: www.apellix.com
Short company description:
Apellix designs and manufactures patented industrial drones that can power wash, spray‑coat, and perform non‑destructive testing on hard‑to‑reach structures, reducing fall risk, cutting downtime, and transforming how critical infrastructure and the built world are maintained.
Transcript:
Rick:
And welcome back to Legacy of Leaders. I am Captain Rick Hoffman, and with me here today is Bob Dahlstrom, CEO of Apellix.
You’re in an interesting place right now. Drones are all the rage from a military perspective, but you design some very creative ways to use them commercially.
Let’s talk a little bit about AI.
Bob:
Absolutely.
When I started the company 12 years ago, drones were kind of in their infancy. At the time, most drones were doing visual work, taking photographs. Some used thermal cameras to detect heat patterns.
My first company was a software company, and I used to paint houses while working through college. I realized there had to be a better way.
I thought about using drones with software to keep them the right distance from the wall and apply paint. But the paint would be heavy, battery life was limited, and you’d have to land often.
Then I realized the paint compressor and supply were on the ground. So I created a system using an umbilical hose to supply paint.
I built the first version in my garage, and it worked better than expected. That led to patents and starting the company.
Along the way, we developed nondestructive testing drones that measure paint and steel thickness, and eventually the power washing drone.
Rick:
Which can do pressure washing at elevation.
Bob:
Exactly.
We’re incorporated as working drones. These are not just camera drones. They physically modify the environment.
They’re tethered and managed differently than traditional drones.
Rick:
I remember seeing your system early on. The physics alone is impressive.
Bob:
Yes, everything is software managed.
Each drone has eight motors, and the onboard computer makes 500 micro-adjustments per second to maintain stability.
It’s essentially a flying computer. The software is what makes everything function.
Rick:
What applications are you seeing?
Bob:
We’re selling the power washing drone in 26 countries.
They’re used for cleaning buildings, skyscrapers, water towers, and industrial assets.
Early adopters include hotels, hospitals, and college campuses.
Hotels especially benefit because cleanliness directly impacts their brand.
The ROI is significant because the drones are faster, safer, and more cost-effective.
Rick:
You’ve been in Jacksonville for many years. What else are you involved in?
Bob:
My first software company was here in San Marco.
Now we operate across the river near Stockton Street, where we’ve expanded our R&D center.
I’m also involved in global charities, including Founders 1%, which dedicates 1% of earnings to societal causes.
Another organization is PRASAD, which provides global humanitarian services like healthcare and education.
Rick:
What’s next for Apellix?
Bob:
We’re working with the U.S. military on non-kinetic drone applications.
We’ve developed an automated system to decontaminate military assets in chemical or biological situations.
The system can autonomously locate, clean, and treat contaminated areas without putting soldiers at risk.
What used to take 10 hours can now be done in about 10 minutes.
This technology could help prevent war by removing the strategic advantage of chemical weapons.
Rick:
That’s incredible.
Bob:
It’s a meaningful application of the technology.
Rick:
Bob, this has been fascinating. Let’s reconnect again soon.
Bob:
Absolutely. Thank you.
Rick:
This is Captain Rick Hoffman from Legacy of Leaders. Thank you.
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