How Will We Manage Autonomous UAV Fleets?
Nitin Gupta is the Founder and CEO of FlytBase, a Silicon Valley startup that offers an enterprise drone automation platform to power large scale deployments of intelligent autonomous UAV fleets. The hardware-agnostic IoT platform features intelligent plugins at the edge, cloud-based real-time fleet management, and APIs for seamless integration with business workflows. FlytBase is working with a large number of enterprise customers spread across US and Europe, helping them deploy fully automated drone applications for public-safety/security, warehouses, and inspections.
Nitin has over 15 years of experience in the automation and aerial robotics industry. Before founding FlytBase, he worked with multiple startups and with Samsung electronics. He has extensive background in aerospace control systems, robotics and automation. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Nitin talks about FlytBase, the challenges of building a system to manage autonomous fleets and he shares his thoughts on the future of the drone industry.
The Drone Industry in 2020
Lisa Murray is the event director for Diversified Communications, an international media company with more than 15 years’ experience in producing world-renowned events for precision measurement professionals. If you’re in this field, then you have most likely have attended one of their events, including SPAR 3D Conference & Expo, the International Lidar Mapping Forum, the Commercial UAV Expo or Amsterdam Drone Week. Her experience with Diversified Communications gives her a unique vantage point on commercial drone industry, the companies making a difference and the people creating change. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Lisa talks about the Commercial UAV Expo and Amsterdam Drone Week, the global trends shaping these shows and the issues and opportunities driving the commercial drone sector.
Are RF Detection Systems Effective In Stopping Drones?
Linda Ziemba is founder and CEO of AeroDefense, a New Jersey-based company that provides a proven drone detection solution for locating a drone and pilot simultaneously. The technology is named AirWarden™, and it uses passive radio frequency detection methods to detect and locate known and unknown drones without demodulating or decoding signals. The Department of Homeland Security recently recognized AirWarden with a Developmental Testing and Evaluation SAFETY Act Designation. The designation provides AirWarden users, who choose to take advantage, full immunity from liability claims alleging technology failure in the event of a terror attack. AirWarden is the first and only drone detection solution to be on the DHS SAFETY Act “approved technologies” list. AirWarden is currently deployed at MetLife Stadium and correctional facilities in Georgia and Massachusetts.
Linda’s experience spans internet security, telecommunications and entrepreneurship, at companies including Websense, Secure Computing, Finjan, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. Prior to founding AeroDefense in 2015, she served as a key executive for LiveLOOK, a collaboration software company. Linda’s leadership across sales, marketing, and general operations resulted in numerous contracts with global financial services, telecommunications and computer firms, and ultimately acquisition by Oracle in 2014.
In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Linda talks about the company's proven AirWarden technology, how AeroDefense pivoted to stay within Federal regulations for Counter UAS and the challenges and opportunities of creating a Counter UAS company.
How can enterprise companies better manage their drone operations?
Uzayr Siddiqui is founder and CEO of Drone Entry. Drone Entry is a ventured backed drone startup, that provides an online platform Software as a tool. The tool provides enterprise companies with a ERP layer to build workflow compliance management between data processing tools and airspace management systems to effectively scale and manage their operations. Drone Entry also helps drone pilots build their career, and build their credibility with other stakeholders in the industry. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Uzayr talks about the Drone Entry platform and how the company pivoted from a pilot-centric business to focus on serving the growing enterprise business sector.
The Drone Industry in 2020
Miraim McNabb is Editor In Chief of DroneLife, the online source for the latest drone news, product releases, YouTube videos and legal precedents on the drone industry. Miriam is a fascinated observer of the drone industry since 2013, when DroneLife launched. She has written and covered thousands of articles on the evolution and growth of the industry. She is a frequent international speaker at drone industry events and writes for DRONELIFE on current news, financial trends, and FAA regulations. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Miriam talks about the drone industry in 2019, the outlook for 2020 and she shares her perspective a variety of drone related issues and trends.
What's In The Cards For The Drone Industry in 2020?
Christopher Korody is a 45 year marketing veteran with deep experience in the technology, aerospace and automotive sectors. He launched DroneBusiness.center to provide UAS companies with the research, strategy and communication programs necessary to stand out in this fast growing marketplace. Dedicated to ‘connecting the dots,’ he edits an ocassional weekly newsletter, Dronin’ On, which is read by senior managers around the world. His deep knowledge of policy makes Korody a popular choice to participate on industry advisory boards and to moderate industry events. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Chris talks about the drone industry in 2019, the outlook for 2020 and he shares his thoughts on a variety of drone related issues that are key to moving it forward.
Is it possible for drone users to create their own AI drone application?
Today’s guest not only says that it is possible, but with today’s tools, it is surprisingly easy to do so. Murali Gopalakrishna heads up product management for autonomous machines at NVIDIA. He also leads the business development team that focuses on robots, drones, industrial IoT and enterprise collaboration products. Before joining NVIDIA in 2016, Murali was the global head of platform and technology strategy, leading the CTO’s office at Sony Mobile Communications. He was responsible for products ranging from phones, tablets and wearables to IoT platforms. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Murali talks about Nvidia’s Jetson line of AI products, how artificial intelligence is changing the way drones work and how Nvidia is extending AI tools to more and more developers so they can create new and more exciting applications.
What's the Best Way to Learn Something?
Some studies say that the best way to learn something is to put it to music or to make it funny. Today’s guest would go one step further and say do both.
Victor Villegas is a technologist at heart who enjoys helping people learn how to use technology to improve work and better their lives. He bridges techies and users and has a knack for explaining technology in simple and easy to understand terms. Victor supervises the Oregon State University Extension Computing Technology Unit which provides remote and onsite support to all the Cooperative Extension Offices and Regional Branch Experiment Stations across Oregon. When not working, Victor is combining his love of drones, education and music to produce song parodies that promote the message of flying safe. He’s the Drone Singer (@DroneSinger). It’s been a while since he’s composed a new drone song, so sit back and enjoy some of his classics, as Victor shares some of his songs and talk about the inspiration and message behind his passion.
What would a mapping software designed for first responders look like?
For that question, we turn to Angad Singh, a Pix4D Technical Trainer based in Denver, Colorado. Angad’s interest in UAS based photogrammetry started when he realized he could get incredibly high resolution data which would enable his research to make micro level insights. He has a passion for enabling people to understand the power and limitations of UAS to create great geospatial data. Angad's research background is in Remote Sensing and Precision Agriculture from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
For much of this year, Angad has been working to get Pix4D React into the hands of first responders. Pix4D React is the fastest 2D mapping software designed for public safety and humanitarian aid professionals. It is intuitive and simple to use, even for people with little or no drone flight or photogrammetry experience. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Angad talks about Pix4D React and how it can support first responders and aid workers in increasing situational awareness.
What’s the outlook for the drone industry?
That’s the question we explore in a 4-part series of podcasts with industry analysts, writers and editors. In this series, I interview guests with diverse opinions and perspectives on the industry. They’ll provide a range of insights on are some of the industry’s current topics and trends. By the end of the series, you should have a good sense of where industry is going and how you can position yourself to take advantage.
In this podcast, we’ll hear from Patrick Egan, editor of the Americas Desk at sUAS News and host and Executive Producer of the sUAS News Podcast Series, Drone TV and the Small Unmanned Systems Business Exposition. Patrick also serves as the Director of Special Programs for the Remote Control Aerial Photography Association. Patrick has spent the last 15 years working as a proponent for the business use of unmanned aircraft systems.
If you’ve ever read some of Patrick’s news articles or posts on Twitter, where he goes by The Drone Dealer, you’ll soon find that he some strong opinions. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Patrick talks about the drone industry in 2019, the outlook for 2020 and he shares his thoughts on what’s holding the industry back and what could be done to move it forward.
What is the outlook for drones from Price Waterhouse Coopers?
For that question, we head to Warsaw, Poland to speak with Adam Wisniewski and Michael Mazur of the Drone Powered Solutions unit of Price Waterhouse Cooper. Price Waterhouse Coopers or PwC) is a multinational professional services network with headquarters in London. PwC ranks as the second largest professional services firm in the world[5] and is one of the Big Four auditors. It is a network of firms in 158 countries, 721 locations, with 250,930 people.
In 2016, Drone Powered Solutions was formed and headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, as the first and globally unique Centre of Excellence powered by PwC. It specializes in commercial and industrial usage of drone technologies and helps clients from various industries maximize the potential offered by drones and geospatial data. Adam and Michael lead a team that consists of professionals with various background – from management consultants with business experience to engineers, photogrammetry and AI experts. Drone Powered Solutions works with a wide range of international corporations in Europe, US, Canada, Middle East and Asia.
In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Adam and Michael talk about PwC’s Drone Powered Solutions, why Poland was selected as the units headquarters and they share insights into the worldwide commercial drone industry.
How can high school in middle school students prepare for a future in the drone industry?
Matthew Johnson is CEO of the Drone Training Zone and M3 Drone Productions. Matthew founded M3 Aerial Productions in 2015 as an aerial data and diagnostics company using unmanned aerial vehicles. As the company evolved, Matthew began offering training courses which grew to become a major focus of the company, so much so that he created two separate entities to deliver aerial data and drone pilot training.
In addition to being an entrepreneur, Matthew taught high school mathematics in Manitoba for five years. He used drones to instruct students on the principles of trigonometry. Matthew developed a trainee course for teachers to give them an understanding of the business opportunities in the drone industry so they could transfer that knowledge to middle and high school students.
n this edition of the drone radio show, Matthew talks about the Drones in the Classroom program and how students can prepare themselves for exciting opportunities in the drone industry.
How are the Drone Responders advancing the public safety use of drones?
Charles Werner is Director of the DroneResponders, a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate preparedness, response and resilience using unmanned aircraft systems operated by public safety organizations around the world. Charles Werner is the retired Charlottesville Virginia fire chief, a 44 year veteran of public safety and a FAA certified Part 107 remote pilot. He organized and is the Chair of the National Council on Public Safety UAS. He also serves on several local, state and national committees and has authored more than 120 published articles on public safety. In 2018, he was selected as Homeland Security Person of the Year by Homeland Security Today Magazine for his work on public safety UAS. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Charles gives us an update on the Drone Responders and what to look forward to in the months ahead if you’re interested in advancing the public safety use of drones.
Can drones be used for social good?
Tiamyou Radji is Director of KRANTH Senegal Flying Labs, a Social Enterprise that develops concepts of collecting, sharing and using drone data to stimulate change. KRANTH is part of the WeRebotics global network of local knowledge hubs in emerging economies. The goal of Flying Labs is to localize the safe, responsible and meaningful use of robotics to accelerate social good solutions. Flying labs build local ecosytems and markets, creating new jobs through the use of robotics and associated data products.
Tiamiyou has worked and consulted for a variety of social good organizations, including the UN. His experience spans business development, technology resource planning, technology risk management. Feasibility studies and consulting with international donors and agencies. Tiam led and implemented numerous information and communication technology research and projects in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. He is a certified professional UAV pilot and has extensive experience in network security and satellite communication.
In this edition of the drone radio show, Tiam talks about the use of drones in West Africa to provide social good and create sustainable economic development for communities.
Can A Drone Make Warehouses More Efficient?
Ian Smith is CEO and co-founder of Ware, a company that builds software for indoor drones that autonomously scan and track warehouse inventory. Ian has more than 15 years in the drone industry, having worked at Delair, an industrial-grade, fixed-wine drone manufacturer in France and more recently, DroneDeploy, a leading software company that improves workflows for drone operations. He’s an entrepreneur, a commercial helicopter pilot and host and producer of the successful Commercial Drones FM podcast. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Ian talks about how drones are used to improve inventory management and how warehouse operators can use the technology to become more efficient and competitive.
Can we really stop drones?
Ken Geyer is CEO and Co-founder of Liteye Systems, a world leader and technology solutions provider and integrator for the military and commercial markets. After a successful career as a stock broker in the late 80’s, Ken realized his true interest resided in developing new companies. He successfully launched eight companies primarily focused on cutting-edge technologies and bringing useful and effective products to market.
For the last 19+ years with Liteye, Ken and his business partner, Chief Technology Officer Tom Scott, built a strong and profitable core business with military and commercial customers. They have strategically aligned with key partners, and they continually bring new and cutting-edge solutions to market. Liteye has over $60 million in Counter Unmanned Defense systems deployed with the US Air Force and US Army in 6 different countries. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Ken talks about Liteye Systems, the effectiveness of counter drone solutions and the need to focus attention on the regulatory environment to protect airports and other critical assets.
What can we learn from independent drone operators?
Chris Anderson, also known as The Drone Trainer, is a drone operator, podcaster and educator. As a drone industry expert who has been flying for 6 years, Chris has a proven wealth of knowledge in deployment, strategy, and drone flight training. He has worked with over 7000 students from around the world, providing instruction in everything from initial drone flight training, to real estate, mapping, modelling, public safety, inspections, construction and more. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Chris talks about how started and grew his drone business, how he became The Drone Trainer and he offers insights into the UAV industry from the perspective of the independent drone operator.
Can Drones Play A Role As First Responders?
William “Fritz” Reber is a retired Patrol Operations Captain, having served 27 years with the Chula Vista Police Department. It was there that Fritz conceptualized and implemented the Drone as First Responder Program for Chula Vista. This innovative deployment of drones in investigate calls for police service has proved to be highly effective and offers a model for other police departments looking to improve efficiency, response times and service to their citizens. Fritz played a key role Chula Vista’s selection as the San Diego IPP Public Safety Concept of Operations. He also co-authored Chula Vista’s recent Beyond Visual Line of Sight safety assessment/waiver. Since retiring from the Chula Vista, he continues to work with the City’s police department as a consultant, assisting with the implementation of the drone as first responder program. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Fritz talks about Chula Vista’s Drone as First Responder Program and how its helping to make the safer and more efficient.
What was the news out of DJI’s AirWorks Conference
That’s this week’s topic, as I traveled to Los Angeles to attend AirWorks 2019. This podcast is part of a series on the conference with comments and presentations from key DJI representatives and partners. You’ll get insights into the state of the drone industry, the current challenges, efforts to promote safety and security, and new product announcements. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, you’ll hear from Adam Lisberg, DJI’s Corporate Communications Director and Brendan Schulman, Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs.
How can seeing ourselves through the eyes of our adversaries strengthen counter UAS?
Scott Crino is CEO of Red Six Solutions. Red Six Solutions is a Red Teaming company that provides their clients with a view of themselves from the perspectives of their adversaries, enemies and competition. Red Six Solutions help clients discover over-the-horizon insights into as yet, unseen threats that can confound strategic decision-making and negatively impact the successful accomplishment of organizational objectives and strategic goals.
Scott served 21 years in the U.S. Army as an Aviation and Operations Research/Systems Analysis officer in multiple combat zones holding several command and staff positions. Prior to his Red Six Solutions, Scott served as President of Crino Consulting Group and Managing Director at Teneo Holdings. He has planned and executed dozens of Red Team events for government, commercial and international clients. Scott has BS and MS degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Buffalo and Texas A&M, respectively, and a PhD in systems engineering from the University of Virginia. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Scott talks about Red Six Solutions, Red Teaming and gives us insights into the current state of counter drone solutions.
Where To Make Money Now in the Drone Industry
Tom Walker is founder and CEO of DroneUp, the fastest growing drone services provider in the U.S. DroneUp matches missions with small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) pilots. They locate, qualify, and deploy single pilot or multi-pilot crews according to their client’s requirements. The company is committed to providing a comprehensive network of pilots while maintaining a steadfast commitment to safety and responsible operations.
Prior to DroneUp, Tom served as president of Web Teks, a leading online and mobile research and strategy development firm. A former military officer, Tom is a recognized pioneer in military and government digital reform, having managed the programming and web systems to support both the U.S. and International Special Forces. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Tom talks about DroneUp, the current opportunities to make money in the industry and what the drone industry analysts seem to be missing.
What goes into creating a successful first-responder drone training program?
Joey Edwards is Vice-President of Operations for Argus Rising. Argus Rising provides First Responder Drone training, designed to equip public safety departments with the flight skills and knowledge needed to use drones in law enforcement and rescue operations. There are a lot of company’s providing drone training today, and I wanted to find out how do providers create training programs in such competitive market. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Joey talks about Argus Rising, its first responder training and what goes into creating a successful drone training course.
Ever wonder how drones are used to save people from drowning?
Samuel Proffitt is a paramedic,firefighter and lifeguard for the Town of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Sam has been in public safety since 2000, working for multiple agencies in North Carolina and Virgina. He received his Masters of Studies In Homeland Security from the Pennsylvania State University, Hershey School of Medicine, where he conducted extensive research in emerging technology in public safety and homeland security. He also obtained his MBA from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Sam talks about how drones are used in water rescue situations, their best use and limitations and what organizations should consider when using drones in such situations.
Are you interested in learning about 3D mapping and other photogrammetry skills?
Christopher Cressy is the Regional Managing Director and Chelsea Cox is Marketing Manager both at Pix4D. Pix4D is the leader in photogrammetry and drone mapping software for professionals. Its software is widely used in the drone industry for a variety of applications. Earlier this year, the 8-year old company announced its first conference specifically for Pix4D users, to held in Denver on October 3-4. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Chris and Chelsea talk about Pix4D, the user conference and why we should consider attending this event.
What do investors look for in a drone based business?
Marco Rubin is Senior Investment Director at the Center for Innovative Technology in Virginia. Marco leads seed and early stage investments in the aerospace/UAS, energy, and software sectors for CIT, and serves as a board member and mentor to numerous portfolio companies. During his career, Marco has invested in over 200 early-stage technology companies, held leadership roles with funds recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual VC 100 list and has managed various funds in information security technology, software, telecommunications and medical devices. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Marco talks about the Center for Innovative Technology and what venture capital funds and investors look for in a drone based business.