Video Credit: Andrée Olumann Andrée is one of our Women Who Drone Ambassadors in France. She is a certified drone pilot who lives in Auriac-du-Périgord, the French countryside and has become enamored with the regional history. Andrée was randomly inspired to purchase a drone after learning that the Tour de France would be passing through her village. Before, she worked as a Contractor and has now made drone piloting a regular part of her work. Currently, Andrée flies a DJI Mavic Pro and uses DJI VR Goggles. Her favorite things about the Mavic Pro are the quality of the images it takes and how easy it is to fly. She’s most proud of the images she’s taken of her local region because of its stunning landscape. Being in the drone industry has taught her that women should not be afraid of tech. Andrée wants women and girls to know that the drone industry is just beginning and we go beyond stereotypes. Check out Andrée's video to get to know a little about her. A New Yorker by birth, I lived for a time in Spain and Portugal, in Nordic countries and in Africa. Seduced by the French art of living, I ended up laying my bags down in the heart of this beautiful region, surrounded by people I love. Passionate about photography, I have always loved immortalizing the world that I discover, with curiosity and sensitivity. So naturally I photograph and film today my new ecosystem, highlighting nature, men and women rich with authentic stories. I have my feet firmly on the ground, but I also like to take height by offering my photos and films made with a drone, to fly like a bird, closer to the subject with a wide angle and a new view. #pilotspotlight #femaledronepilot #womenwhodroneambassador #wwdambassador #AndreeOlumann #France #djimavicpro #djivrgoggles #AuriacduPérigord #TourdeFrance

Photo Credit: Zipline Rwanda is a Republic in East Africa. Topographically, Rwanda is mountainous with rivers traversing its terrain. While prime for agriculture, the country’s topography has created remote areas that are difficult to access by typical means of transportation. Areas in western Rwanda are particularly affected by this remoteness as it hinders the transportation of urgently needed medical supplies. As a result, the people that live in these areas have suffered greatly. Situations like this justify the need for drone delivery, and fortunately, the government of Rwanda thought so too. With their cooperation, medical drone delivery in Rwanda has been in operation since 2016 and is saving lives every day. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of delivery drones, they are UAVs that specialize in carrying payloads to deliver resources quickly. Being able to fly over obstacles and avoid traffic, drone delivery would possibly be the quickest and most convenient delivery method, but would not coincide with current regulations set forth by the FAA. While this technology is on the edge of being permissible in the United States, major companies have been experimenting inside and outside of the U.S. with manufacturing a drone capable of delivering packages for a variety of purposes. Photo Credit: UPS Most recently, package delivery company UPS was the first company to achieve a commercial drone delivery by flying medical supplies across a campus in North Carolina, and it was UPS’s financial contribution that aided in the development of medical drone delivery in Rwanda. The UPS Foundation awarded an “$800,000 grant to support the initial launch of this initiative in Rwanda.” Other big players in bringing this system to fruition are the robotics company Zipline and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Zipline was created in 2014 and developed their drone delivery system specifically to deliver urgently needed medical supplies. According to their website, they’ve built the world's fastest and most reliable delivery drone. Though based in California, Zipline builds teams of local operators. Gavi is an international organization dedicated to providing equal access to vaccines. On October 14th, 2016 Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced the launch of this national drone delivery service. This service would be groundbreaking as it would be the world’s first national drone delivery service. Local operators pilot the drones to the appropriate location and perform a supply drop. The medical supplies then float to the ground via parachute. Before, medical deliveries were impeded by difficult terrain, slower forms of transportation, and washed-out roads. Video Credit: Zipline Inherently, Zipline drones avoid these limitations by being able to fly over such obstructions at 100 km/h. They are also battery powered, making them more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than other delivery methods. Zipline drones have made over 12,000 deliveries that have saved lives in both Rwanda and Ghana. In the wake of UPS’s delivery, it seems that the United States will soon benefit from this technology as well. The main obstacle in our way is constructing regulations that both protect citizens and maintain efficiency. According to Farnborough International News Network, Zipline cofounder William Hetzler stated, “The Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority has had a very progressive approach to the technology and has been able to pioneer an excellent performance-based drone regulatory model for the rest of the world.” Hopefully, with Rwanda serving as an example, we can look forward to having more accessible drone deliveries in the future. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #dronedelivery #medicaldronedelivery #rwanda #Africa #Zipline #ups #TheUPSFoundation #Gavi #TheVaccineAlliance #medicaldeliveries #Ghana #RwandanCivilAviationAuthority

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library Drone delivery has been a long sought-after convenience. From packages to food, consumers have been expecting drones to be integrated into the delivery business for a while. UPS, a company that is practically synonymous with package delivery, has managed to become the first company to successfully complete a delivery via drone in the United States. This is a groundbreaking accomplishment that was stalled for others due to technical issues and government restrictions. Here’s how UPS was able to become the first company to successfully complete a commercial drone delivery. Photo Credit: UPS To start, UAS such as drones, UAVs, and other remote aerial vehicles fall under the jurisdiction of the FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration). The regulations that package delivery follow fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FAA’s restrictions regarding how and where pilots can fly drones have been an obstacle for businesses seeking to utilize the convenience of drones to deliver products. That was until the FAA initiated the Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program in 2017. The FAA describes the program as follows: “... the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) has brought state, local, and tribal governments together with private sector entities, such as UAS operators or manufacturers, to accelerate safe drone integration.” They are operating with the goal of reconciling safety concerns and fields that would benefit from drone integration like businesses, emergency management, and inspections. Lead participants of the IPP include Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (Durant, OK), City of San Diego (CA), Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority (Herndon, VA), and several other groups. Out of the 149 proposals received, these 10 were chosen to move forward in testing out their Ideas. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao is quoted as saying that “Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace.” Among these 10 participants is the North Carolina Department of Transportation (Raleigh, NC), which brings us back to UPS. NCDOT’s proposal was based on creating drone delivery stations. The proposal tackles safety issues such as operating over human beings, beyond visual line of sight, and at night by using ADS-B, detect and avoid technologies, UTM and radar technologies. Previously, UPS had already been experimenting with delivery applications for drones. At one point, UPS was working with CyPhy Works, a drone manufacturer that makes a battery-powered drone with night vision. Together, UPS and CyPhy successfully delivered asthma medicine from Beverly, Massachusetts a camp on Children's Island. In Rwanda, UPS worked with a drone manufacturer called Zipline to deliver medical supplies to remote regions of the country. Photo Credit: Matternet Now, with the support of the FAA and the state of North Carolina, UPS can further develop its drone delivery methods. This support system is what eventually led to the groundbreaking delivery made on March 26th, 2019. Along with NCDOT, UPS also collaborated with drone manufacturer Matternet to operate the delivery of medical supplies to the WakeMed lab in Raleigh. Using the Matternet M2 quadcopter, which has a payload of up to five pounds and speed of up to 43 mph, UPS aims to use these deliveries to gather data for improving the delivery of healthcare products. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #ups #packagedelivery #dronedelivery #commercialdronedelivery #UAS #FAA #integrationpilotprogram #zipline #rwanda #CyPhy #WakeMedlab #Matternet #M2quadcopter

Photo Credit: AUVSI The UAV industry is growing in size and advancements, resulting in the desire to share ideas and progress with a wide number of people. Thus, conferences have also increased in number and participants. There are several conferences every year dedicated to drones and the UAV industry, and they are a great place for discussions, networking, and learning something new. For Spring, one of the largest conferences for business and technology is AUVSI XPONENTIAL. This conference will be held from April 29th to May 2nd and will feature hundreds of participants from around the world in more than 20 industries and have many workshops and panels to discuss current topics in the UAV industry. By attending, you will have access to “8,500 technologists, regulators and users across commercial and defense sectors to learn how other industries are using unmanned systems to expand business capabilities, increase efficiency, and make a difference." Read on to learn about a few of the events that make the conference worth attending. To start, there will be a seminar on the first day of the conference called “Droneport Seminar: Unlocking the Potential in Your Community”. The Droneport Seminar will be an informational session on creating a community of companies that operate drone fleets. Through the efforts of the DronePort Network, the Unmanned Aerial Systems Cluster Initiative (UASCI), and the U.S. Small Business Administration, bringing together businesses that can benefit from having a Droneport facility to handle the logistics involved in flying fleets of drones. This seminar will be held on Monday, April 19th from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and will feature a panel of droneport project managers. Photo Credit: AUVSI On Tuesday, April 30th, there will be a discussion forum called “Women and Diversity in Robotics”. The forum will be facilitated by Sara Blackmer, president of RAVE Computer and will feature Rumi Morales, a partner at Outlier Ventures, as keynote speaker. The 45-minute discussion will be led, in groups, by 8 women who are working in the industry. On Wednesday, May 1st, there will be a strategic marketing workshop called “Get Your Drone Business Off The Ground”. This workshop is complimentary for all XPONENTIAL attendees but requires pre-registration. The discussion will cover topics such as target audiences, marketing budgets, and measuring results. The ultimate goal of this workshop is for participants to leave with “the essential building blocks to effectively position their services in a growing market and build a thriving business.” Those are just a few of the events being offered. Check out the conference schedule for more events that may interest you. If you’re interested in attending the conference, use code WWDXPO19 to save on registration! You can use this link to register. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #AUVSI #AUVSIXPONENTIAL #droneconference #UAV #conference #DronePort #diversity #robotics #dronebusiness #womenwhodrone

Over a decade ago, drones weren't nearly as known by the mainstream as they are today. If you heard about them, it was likely in the context of the military, which has been utilizing drone technology for years to aid in reconnaissance. Amazingly, militaries from around the world seem to have found the ideal reconnaissance tool in the Black Hornet, a nano drone. Let's take a look at the Black Hornet and see how it's developed over the years. Photo Credit: Prox Dynamics It all started with Petter Murren, a Norwegian inventor who holds the record for designing the world’s smallest remote-controlled helicopter. On December 1st, 2007, Murren founded Prox Dynamics, a company with the goal of developing, producing, and selling "the world’s smallest and most advanced unmanned aircraft systems". After years of constructing mini-copters, in 2008, Murren started focusing his efforts on developing the Black Hornet project, aiming to release the first iteration in 2009. Prox Dynamics’s wanted the first Black Hornet to be a nano UAV that would weight 20 grams. Also called the PD-100, it was designed to have a video camera and to fit in a soldier’s pocket. It was the world's smallest remote-controlled reconnaissance copter in 2009. Weighing only half an ounce, it fit in the palm of someone's hand and its speed topped out at around 20 mph. Back then, it was sold in a pack of three copters which included a charger and a remote controller with a built-in LCD screen to display the copter's camera feed. Beginning in 2011, Prox Dynamics had a contract with British forces. This deal, worth 20 million pounds, entitled the British to 160 units of the PD-100 Black Hornet. Troops utilize these units to scout for threats in Afghanistan. With their aid, the troops safely peer around corners and over walls. Photo Credit: Prox Dynamics In late 2014, Prox Dynamics launched the PD-100 T nano UAV at the AUSA Convention in Washington, D.C. This new model featured “a specifically designed and integrated thermal and daylight camera with infused imagery that is said to provide warfighters with a low or no light tactical ISR capability”. The drone’s camera now has Electro-optical sensors, which convert light into an electronic signal, and the thermal sensor is digitally enhanced courtesy of FLIR Systems Inc. This all translates into smoother night flying and surveillance capabilities. In 2015, BusinessInsider reported that the United States was testing a number of Black Hornet drones which, at the time, were priced at $40,000 for large orders. This version was called the PD-100 Black Hornet 2, and it could fly for up to 25 minutes. It also had a range of two miles and featured both regular and thermal cameras. Later, military.com reported that the black hornet was being tested out by the marines. Photo Credit: FLIR Systems, Inc. On November 30th, 2016, FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that it acquired Prox Dynamics. Two years later, FLIR announced the Black Hornet 3. Fielded by over 30 nations over the past seven years, and now in use by both the U.S. and Australian Armies, the latest version of the Black Hornet brings several major improvements. FLIR lists the Black Hornet 3’s top five feature advancements as its ability to fly in GPS-denied areas, fly over 21 kmph, sharper image processing, modularity which allows batteries and sensors to be replaced quickly, and a monitor with redesigned software to improve the user’s experience. This year, the Black Hornet drone continues to make headlines. After more than four years of experimentation and evaluation, the U.S. Army is beginning to send out FLIR Systems' tiny Black Hornet nano drones to operational units. On January 9, 2019, the Army revealed that the Soldier Sensors and Lasers (SSL) division of Rock Island Arsenal’s Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) had delivered the first 60 complete Black Hornet systems to unspecified units. Then, on Jan. 24, 2019, FLIR Systems announced it had received a contract worth up to $39.6 million to deliver thousands more of the drones to the service, along with associated equipment, in the coming years. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #history #militarydrone #nanodrone #microdrone #minihelicopter #blackhornet #proxdynamics #UAV #nanouav #pd100

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library A lot of responsibility goes into owning and piloting a drone. One of the most important responsibilities is making sure you know where you stand with the FAA. If you’re a commercial pilot, then you should already know about Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. Certification through Part 107 allows you to fly your drone commercially, but it also comes with certain restrictions. However, select restrictions can be waived with a Part 107 operational waiver. Here's what you need to know about Part 107 waivers and how to request one. "Waiver" - an official document issued by the FAA approves certain operations of aircraft outside the limitations of a regulation (as defined by the FAA). The FAA provides waivers to exempt pilots from specific restrictions under Part 107, so the first step in obtaining a waiver from the FAA is determine what you need the waiver for. It's imperative that you only request a waiver that’s necessary for your flight mission and demonstrate that you can still fly safely using alternative methods. Here is a list of waivable operations from the FAA website: Photo Credit: Federal Aviation Administration The FAA also clarifies certain terms in section 107.39 under Part 107: § 107.39 Operations Over Human Beings. No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft over a human being unless that human being is: (a) Directly participating in the operation of the small unmanned aircraft; or (b) Located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft. The FAA defines “over human beings” as the flight of the unmanned aircraft directly over any part of a person (e.g. a small UAS that hovers directly over a person's head, shoulders, or extended arms or legs for any amount of time). The FAA defines a human being that is “directly participating” as personnel that the remote pilot in command has deemed to be involved with the flight operation of the small unmanned aircraft. This includes the remote pilot in command, anyone manipulating the controls of the small UAS if other than the remote pilot in command, and the visual observer. it also includes any person who is necessary for the safety of the small UAS flight operation (e.g. a person who stands aside to maintain a perimeter to ensure that other people do not enter the area of operation). Photo Credit: Federal Aviation Administration The second step in requesting a Part 107 waiver is applying through the FAA’s DroneZone, their website dedicated to drone forms. Keep in mind that you do not need to register a drone to request a waiver. Either create a DroneZone account or log into your existing account. After logging in, select “Fly A Small Unmanned Aircraft System Under Part 107”. You’ll be prompted to input information for your drone but keep clicking “Next”. Clicking “Next” will allow you to bypass the payment forms and submit your application with all supporting documents and attachments. Make sure you select the "Operational Waiver" option. Finally, the FAA will do their best to review your waiver request and approve or disapprove it within 90 days of submission. If more information is needed, requests for more information will be sent to you via DroneZone. Unanswered requests can result in the cancellation of your application, and you’ll have to resubmit it. All operational drone waivers that are issued are published publicly. More resources to help with the application process are also available, provided on the FAA's web page for Part 107 waivers. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #part107 #part107waiver #FAA #FederalAviationAdministration #drones #FAAdronezone #remotepilotcertification #part107certification #UAS #UAV

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library Drones aren’t just for STEM majors anymore. The art industry is another realm where drones have made a significant impact as artists are taking advantage of the proliferation of drones to create amazing artwork that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before. Let's take a peak into the art world to see how artists are interpreting drone technology. Drones are somewhat of a controversial topic in some spaces. Some people are concerned about the implications of drones becoming a staple technology in our society, while others are looking forward to advancing the possible applications of drone technology. Bard College, a liberal arts college in New York, has a Center for the Study of the Drone where they research unmanned systems in the military and the lives of civilians. Select Images from Understanding the Drone Through Art One way they’ve done this is by looking at drones through the lens of artists. Through a project called The Portals, curated multimedia collections on drone-related issues, they released Understanding the Drone Through Art. The collections feature pieces with different intentions, such as protesting military drone use and surveillance and promoting technology and drones as tools. Video Credit: Creators and Barbican Centre In another collaborative effort, musician John Cale and architect Liam Young worked together to produce Loop>>60Hz, an immersive live music performance. Essentially, Loop>>60Hz is an orchestra composed of drones. During the production of the show, the creators thought of the drones as characters on the stage. “If you have one drone up, it’s a mystery. If you have two drones up, it’s a love story,” says John Cale. Each drone is a character and is costumed according to a particular subculture. The other artists working on the project describe the drones as having their own unique sets of movements and quirks. Photo Credit: LIAM YOUNG + JOHN CALE + FIELD.IO Along with this project, Cale and Young also collaborated with digital artists FIELD to develop a digital experience with drones as the subject matter rather than the performers. City of Drones is a website that allows the user to explore a digital city “through the eyes of a drone” and was featured as part of the Loop>>60Hz experience. Video Credit: Martin Sanchez Some art is made with the purpose of being viewed overhead with a drone. For example, Martin Sanchez of ZEKEDRONE is a drone photographer and graphic designer who pilots a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, DJI Mavic Pro, and DJI Mavic Air. He refers to his drone art style as a visual performance under the moniker “visual drone art”. The premise of "visual drone art" is a person lies on the ground and engages in some type of performance. The interaction between the ground and the pose can only be viewed with a drone, so Sanchez uses his drones to photograph these moments to create artwork. For his work, he has garnered numerous accolades, including 1st place in the People category in the International Drone Photography contest hosted by National Geographic and Dronestagram. Photo Credit: zekedrone.com Diving into the world of Drone Art proves just how important technology is in the Arts. Artistic expression transforms along with our tools and since drones are the tools everyone wants to get there hands on, we can look forward to seeing more creativity in their artistic applications. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #art #droneart #CenterfortheStudyoftheDrone #UnderstandingtheDroneThroughArt #artists #drones #droneorchestra #digitalart #dronephotography #aerialphotography

Image Credit: Ministère de l'Intérieur On April 15th, 2019, the world watched, distraught, as the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire and burned into the night. French firefighters and police worked quickly to save the historic sight and extinguish the flames, and these officials utilized robotics and drone technology to resolve the issue more effectively. Reports state that firefighters were assisted by a red fire extinguisher robot, and the police made use of their drone unit. Essentially, the fire extinguisher robot served as a reconnaissance bot, scouting ahead to lower the temperature of certain areas and ensure the safety of the firefighters. Controlled remotely, it could also remove heavy debris and obstacles which would normally require the strength of several people. The drones utilized by the police, suspected to be members of the DJI Mavic line, were operated by a special unit of drone operators in the Parisian Police. In footage of this unit in action, police can be seen analyzing footage of the flames while a female drone pilot operates a controller. The police utilized the drones’ cameras to track the path of the fire and observe its characteristics. Image Credit: Ministère de l'Intérieur This valuable information helped the firefighters manage the situation more effectively and was instrumental in suppressing the fire. Photos and Videos of the police footage have already been posted on several social media sites and in internet reports. The use of drones in this predicament is outstanding as we see yet again the practical, humanitarian applications that drones have and their use in society to help the community. Drone regulation in France is somewhat similar to the regulations in the United States, especially in regards to a situation like this. In many states, it is illegal to fly a drone near an active fire as it may interfere with relief efforts. UAV Coach reported that in France “[d]rones may also not be flown over ongoing fires, accident zones, or around emergency services.” During the fire, the only drones on the site were being operated by public officials and not bystanders. While it was stressful and heartbreaking to follow these current events, the use of new technology and female representation in important lines of work could be seen as a silver lining. The Parisian police’s drone unit was integral to saving priceless works of art and cultural artifacts, and it was exciting to see that at least one member of this impressive team was a woman. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll get to witness the contributions of more women who drone. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #notredame #notredamefire #femaledronepilot #paris #france #Parisianpolice #firefighters #droneunit #policedrone #DJI #mavic

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library Some people might say that drone piloting has a steep learning curve. Of course, it takes time and practice to get those ideal aerial shots without crash landing everywhere you go, but what if there was an easier way to pilot a drone? While pilots usually fly their drones with a controller, there may come a time when we're all maneuvering the latest Phantom with different body parts like our eyes, arms, or even hips. Roboticists from the University of Pennsylvania, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and New York University have been working on a special project that would allow someone to pilot a drone with their eyes. Liangzhe Yuan, Christopher Reardon, Garrett Warnell, and Giuseppe Loiannothat are working with the Tobii Pro Glasses 2 equipped with an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and an HD camera. The Tobii Pro Glasses 2 is an already existing product designed to "to capture natural viewing behavior in any real-world environment." Researchers were able to ally these glasses with a quadcopter for gaze-controlled flight. Video Credit: Tobii Pro Using a deep neural network, the glasses can detect the drone's location, the user's location, and where the user is looking. This technology also helps the drone to fly according to the user's head orientation instead of its own, so when a pilot orders their drone to fly to the left, they'll always know which way it's going. In their demonstration video on YouTube, you can see someone testing out the glasses in a workspace. From the glasses point of view, you can see a green dot follow the user's gaze. Once the tester's gaze has settled, a hovering drone flies to that location in the room. Essentially, the project functions as an experiment with "human-guided autonomy" for non-invasive human-robot interactions. Digital Trends described the glasses as a method that's "easy to use" and a possible aid to inexperienced pilots. Video Credit: ARPL NYU Eyes aren't the only way technology experts are looking to streamline drone piloting. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) is in the process of developing a wearable drone controller. This new technology was developed with assistance from 17 volunteers who were asked to watch simulated drone footage with VR goggles. Researchers also told the volunteers to copy the drone's movement with their bodies while they wore electrodes and 19 motion-capture markers across their upper bodies so that the researchers could identify recurring patterns in their movement. With the data they collected, the researchers were able to design a suit that turns the pilot's body into a drone controller. Later, another 39 volunteers tested how the wearable controller compared to a regular joystick controller by completing an actual drone course. Their results showed that the controller suit had better steering abilities, and the volunteers learned how to use the suit faster than the joystick. More information on this research can be found on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America website. There, you can see the project's data in detail under the project name: Data-driven body–machine interface for the accurate control of drones. Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, these researchers were able to develop an "intuitive, gesture-based control interface for real and simulated drones". Video Credit: École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) One of the researchers and authors of the study's paper, Jenifer Miehlbradt spoke with Inverse, a website dedicated to exploring "the science of anything," about their project. In her interview, she talks about her team's methodology and conveys that the goal of their research was to improve the connection between user and drone, similar to the roboticists. It seems like some technology experts believe that the joysticks or controllers that are currently used to pilot drones create a distance between the pilot and their drone that impedes control and makes learning to fly more difficult. With piloting being facilitated by these "non-invasive" methods, the pilot is free to observe their surroundings without focusing too much on flying. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #eyetrackingglasses #TobiiProGlasses #gazecontrolledflight #eyepiloting #bodypiloting #wearabledronecontroller #dronetechnology #droneresearch #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library So, you went out and bought yourself a drone with a nice camera and have some amazing aerial photographs. Now what? You could share them on social media and get a bunch of likes from your friends and family, but you could also go a step further and make some money by selling prints of your work. The internet has been flourishing as a multifaceted marketplace for years now, and what's great about it is that anyone can partake. If you've got a gallery of beautiful photos just sitting on your hard drive, following this guide (and others) may help you profit from drone photography. When you decide to sell something, there are a few questions you must answer. You've got your photos, but how will you sell, print, and ship them? Do you want to Do It Yourself, work with a printer, or rely on a Print on Demand site or maybe you even want to license your content? These options come with their own pros and cons, so you'll have to weigh the costs versus the benefits of each and decide what's best for your situation. SELLING FROM YOUR WEBSITE It would behoove you to invest in a well-designed website because it will function as a store and a gallery of your work. Your website could be built from the ground up with a tool like WordPress, where you could use plug-ins like Envira to create a photo gallery and store, or you could use hosting sites like Wix and SquareSpace which provide you with templates for the kind of website you want. In this case, you could pick a store template or add a store page. Another option would be to set up a "storefront" on a creative marketplace website like Etsy, where you can have more direct access to a customer base while still being in control of how you run your business. LICENSING YOUR AERIAL CONTENT As you may or may not know, you can alway license you content on stock imagery platforms like Getty Images. As a matter of fact, if you are a Certified Drone Pilot in your country, you can begin monetizing your content through the Women Who Drone Collection available on Getty Images. Its a non-exclusive agreement meaning you can still own your content and you may also sign up to license your content on other websites. By signing up to become a contributor, you are simply adding more ways to begin monetizing your content. The key here is the more content you upload, the more likely you are to make money. PRINTING YOURSELF If you're doing all the printing yourself, you'll want to invest in a nice photo printer, ink, and high-quality paper. Also, you'll have to decide what kind of paper you want to print on and keep in mind that eventually, your paper and ink will need to be restocked, so you'll have to sell enough to recoup your investment. Working with your own printer may also limit the sizes you'll be able to provide. However, you'll get to make all the decisions and have all the control over the quality of your prints, and you can be aware of printing issues immediately before they are sent to the customer. LOCAL PRINTING SERVICES Maybe you don't want to deal with all the work that goes into choosing the best printer and spending tons of money on paper with different textures, weights, and sizes, but you still want to be hands-on in some way. Well, you may be able to find a local print shop or an online printing service. Typically, print shops provide a variety of printing services such as posters of various sizes, binding services, brochures, and business cards, and they may offer a discount for bulk orders. You just send them the job (i.e. your image file along with the size of the print, the type of paper, the finish, and the number of copies you need), and they send you a price. When it's done, you just pick it up and pay. SHIPPING For both these options, you'll be fully responsible for shipping your prints out to the customer. Shipping can be a big responsibility as you must ensure that the print is packaged with care and that the packaging will ensure the integrity of your print during its journey to the customer. If that also sounds like something you don't want to struggle with, then you can simply rely on a third-party to fulfill your orders for you or register as a member of a Print on Demand website. THIRD-PARTY PRINTERS Whether it's your Etsy store or personal website, you can have your orders fulfilled through a third-party printer. Some third-party printers commonly used by artists and photographers are Finerworks, Printful, and Fine Art America. Finerworks has a tutorial on selling prints on Etsy through their service. This way, customers can purchase their prints on your Etsy, then Finerworks will fulfill the order. As stated above, you can also order prints in bulk and ship them out yourself, which could end up saving you money. These printers also offer the option of having prints framed. PRINTING ON DEMAND Usually, registering for an on demand printer is tied to being a member of a creative marketplace. As a member of a creative marketplace, you can upload your image files and choose which products you want your image to be printed on. When a customer makes a purchase, the site will take care of the printing, packaging, and shipping. Websites like Redbubble, CafePress, Zazzle, and Society6 are marketplaces that provide Print on Demand services. Usually, they will take a percentage of the profits, then deposit the rest into your bank account or PayPal. Wix also has a Print on Demand service with their store app that's similar to Redbubble's. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #guide #howto #printmaking #aerialphotography #photography #selling #doityourself #DIY #shipping #printing

Video Credit: DJI Technology Co. Stop the presses! The time has come. DJI has finally given the ax to another one of its models: the revered Phantom 4 Pro. Currently, the Phantom 4 Pro page greets you with this message: “The Phantom 4 Pro is no longer in production. For the latest in DJI technology, please view our product recommendation below. This news may come as a surprise, but DJI has been in the process of EOL-ing their Phantom 4 line of drones since last year when they discontinued the original Phantom 4. DJI officially terminated the Phantom 4 on April 30th, 2017, a little over a year after its release, which was 3 years ago in March of 2016. The Phantom 4 Pro was released only several months after that in November 2016. While these iterations of the Phantom 4 are no longer available, the V2.0 technically still is. A trip to the DJI shop website reveals that the drone is currently out of stock. While some people believe this to be a sign that the Phantom 5 is on its way, others are hypothesizing that the stall of production may be due to internal changes within DJI. In response to a tweet asking about the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, DJI Support responded that they would not be able to manufacture anymore “due to a shortage of parts from a supplier”. According to UAV Coach, “the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 has been out of stock since November of last year,” which was around the time more rumors regarding the release of the Phantom 5 were emerging along with DJI’s “big” announcement. Unfortunately, DJI’s “Because Life is Big” New York event did not reveal the Phantom 5 as was hoped, but the rumors surrounding the event did reveal that a new shaker in the drone industry was overdue. Screenshots from Twitter and the DJI online store For a while now, the drone community has been on the edge of its seat, ready and waiting for any news from DJI about the release of the next version of its Phantom legacy. The continued discontinuation of Phantom 4 products could still be a sign of what’s to come. We’re barely a quarter into the new year, so there’s still plenty of time left for grand reveals. When do you think the Phantom 5 will be released? What do you think will be its highlight features? Feel free to share your thoughts. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #DJI #Phantom4Pro #discontinued #twitter #DJIstore #phantom5 #Phantom4ProV20 #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE #drones #retirement

Company: Inva+Sla Location: Athens, Greece Tell us about yourself. I am a web and motion designer working in advertising, in Greece. I am passionate about technology and all things digital. My soft spot for photography and videography became even more prominent when I started flying drones in 2016. I like to mix all my skills to create work that I feel happy with. What inspired you to begin flying drones and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? It all started with a toy drone that my husband gave me as a gift, because he knew I really like gadgets. This featured a small camera, barely able to shoot anything of value. This gave me the incentive to try something more advanced, because I saw the potential this could have in terms of photography. I loved the new perspective and imagined being able to produce unique work through drones. What were you doing before you started flying drones and what made you make the transition? I have been working with video for many years already, but never really had the chance to shoot my own stuff. Drones seemed like a very nice opportunity to get into the game of shooting photos and video and become better at my job through understanding other people’s work. Turned out that I really loved flying and was eager to learn everything around it. What drones are you currently flying and what drone accessories do you love? I am currently flying the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the Phantom 4 Pro. I never go anywhere without Polar Pro filters and one of the best extras I have is the DJI CrystalSky monitor. CrystalSky has really helped with the Phantom 4 Pro mainly, because it could handle decoding video so much better than my phone at the time. Apart from being a very bright monitor, it also doubled as a portable device I could use to review and backup footage when I could not bring a laptop with me. This happened in my trip to Greenland, and it was a lifesaver. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? Waypoints. Hands down, waypoints is the best way to automate the camera movement when you want those really smooth cinematic shots. What drone images are you proud of and why? I am mostly proud of the imagery shot on the mountains of Western Greece. We decided to have a trip to the less tourist-friendly places in Greece. There were barely any places to rent or eat at, and we had to sustain ourselves by packing extra, but the view was so rewarding. Part of what makes drone flying worth it is exploration. We discovered quite a few places like that, which we wouldn’t have known otherwise. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? Study and work for your passion, and it will reward you. Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to obsess over other people’s opinions. Do it because it makes you happy, not to appeal to other people. Beauty is subjective, and creativity is gender agnostic. Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. Flying in Greenland is something I will never forget. It was the most difficult place to fly a drone, and it required a lot of skill and patience to keep control of my quadcopter. There is strong magnetic interference near the poles, which causes all kinds of errors, mainly regarding the compass. I flew exclusively in ATTI mode and made sure to be as calm as possible while operating the drone. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? There are so many uses when you get started with drones. You might find a new way to use them and create new kind of business. Feels like we have scratched the surface in a world of possibilities. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Changing the stereotypes. I think that stereotypes we have grown up with have a lot to do with forming our interests when we are young. When more women decide to join this industry, they shift the balance of preference and opinions of young women. They make them see this industry is open to everyone. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Scout your locations and plan your shots. This way you will be more efficient when you get flying and not waste any batteries just observing the landscape. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Send a message to m.me/invasla Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? My work is available at http://invasla.gr Athanasia is primarily a web and motion designer. Aerial filmmaking was a hobby turned part time profession. Along with her husband, she has formed Inva+Sla, a creative duo that specializes in aerial cinematography and photography. They have won many local and international awards with their work and are now a DJI content partners. #pilotspotlight #spotlightinterview #femaledronepilot #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #InvaSla #DJIMavic2Pro #Phantom4Pro #DJICrystalSkymonitor #Waypoints #photography