How is the Counter UAS market growing?

For that question, we turn to Michael Blades, Research Director for Frost & Sullivan’s Aerospace, Defense, and Security business unit. Frost & Sullivan is a business consulting firm involved in market research and analysis, growth strategy consulting and corporate training across multiple industries. Michael has been with Frost & Sullivan for nearly 8 years as a market analyst and growth consultant and has earned a Masters Degree in Aerospace Operations as well as an MBA.  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Michael talks about the growth and trends shaping the counter UAS industry today.

Can drones fulfill a critical transportation need in isolated areas of Africa?

Today’s guest believes they can. Edward Anderson is a Senior Innovation Policy Specialist at the World Bank’s Global ICT unit. Since 2014 he has been based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he represents the World Bank on Technology and Innovation. As part of this role he leads work supporting the governments’ Open Data Initiative and is responsible for designing government modernization projects in UAV mapping, citizen data, microwork and smart sensors.

According to World Bank estimates, Africa needs to spend $38 billion more each year on transport infrastructure, plus a further $37 billion on operations and maintenance to sustain its current levels of development. A significant financing deficit lies between Africa's reality and the mobility that it both needs and aspires to. Only 34% of Africa's population is within 2 kilometres of an all-weather road.

To address this critical need, the World Bank is sponsoring the Lake Victoria Challenge (LVC), an ambitious project that aims to explore drones as a new mobility model for the hard-to-reach, rural communities of the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania.

In this episode of the Drone Radio show, Edward talks about the Lake Victoria Challenge and what it means to the future of Africa.

Is there a marketplace for autonomous drone services?

Derek Waleko is CEO and co-founder of UpSonder, a drone startup that provides drone services to businesses around the country ranging from local real estate agents to major energy companies. Its vision is to be a one-stop solution for drone services—which Goldman Sachs estimates will be worth $13 billion by 2020. The company went live in March 2017 and has grown into one of the largest drone marketplaces in the country. As a forward looking company, UpSonder is preparing to integrate autonomous flight services to augment its marketplace for human piloted drones.  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Derek talks about the growth of Upsonder since its launch, how the company plans to offer autonomous flight services and how we can participate in a uniqued funding opportunity to help raise capital for the release of UpSonder Marketplace 2.0.

Is it possible to create a successful drone repair business today?

For that question, we go to Duluth, Georgia to hear from Rob Schwartz, owner of Thunderdrones a drone repair business. Rob began flying RC airplanes in the early 80’s and expanded into scale RC airplanes, helicopters, cars, trucks and  boats, and in 2016, he added drones. He remains active with RC cars and trucks, but his passion is now drones. So much so, that he started buying, selling and repairing drones. Since 2016, he has repaired more than 3,000 drones and is a frequent contributor and mentor on the Mavic Pilots forum when he helps pilots trouble shoot problems.  Rob flies at least 4 times a week, and also test flies customers aircraft,  He’s also a licensed private pilot with instrument training and complex rating. In this edition of the drone radio show, Rob talks about the common repair issues with DJI drones, provides some tips on how to maximize your enjoyment and how he created a successful drone repair business.

How can we become a better steward of the drone industry?

For that question we turn to Ken Christensen, Co-Founder of Foresight AI as well as Vice-President of Flight Operations. Foresight AI is a Robotic AI company using sUAS to provide accurate HD 3D Point Clouds for autonomous robots. Ken has over 30 years of experience in the aviation field both in the government and private sector. Ken has served in the Air Force, NASA, California Air National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security and has extensive aviation and aerospace experience.  He is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for UAS Drone Detection/Counter Drone technology, space based solutions and aviation airborne sensor solutions. He served in Air Force Special Operations and Air Combat Command and is a veteran of three wars, completing 117 combat and combat support missions. In addition, he remains an active commercial pilot as well as a commercial sUAS Pilots. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Ken talks about how drone operators can be effective stewards and Ambassadors of the Drone industry. He’ll share his 10 ways to become better steward and grow the industry.