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Women Who Drone sparks creativity and empowerment in women with drone technology. New York, NY, May 20th, 2019 - Women Who Drone, an online platform and community that inspires, educates and empowers women and girls with drone technology, today announced that it was selected to participate in the 2019 MassChallenge Boston accelerator program. Rigorously selected by a community of close to 200 expert judges, Women Who Drone represents the top 9% of applications from around the world, including 61 countries and 25 U.S. states. Through a global network of zero-equity accelerators, MassChallenge identifies the world’s highest-impact, highest-potential startups and helps them successfully launch and grow. As part of the 2019 cohort, Women Who Drone will have unrivaled access to expert mentorship, top corporate partners, and more than 20,000 square-feet of co-working space – all at zero cost and for zero equity. Women Who Drone will also engage in evidence-based curriculum, which has been designed to address key challenges throughout each phase of the early-stage lifecycle, including discovery, development, deployment, and distribution. At the close of the program, startups will compete for more than $1M in cash prizes at the 2019 MassChallenge Boston Awards held on October 24. “We are super excited to be joining the MassChallenge Program, so we can continue to grow our community and offer drone education and experiences to more women and girls.” -Elena Buenrostro, Founder of WWD Women Who Drone is an online platform and community that inspires, educates and empowers women and girls with drone technology. We do this by providing drone education including creative one on one lessons, workshops and online courses but also prospective career opportunities and a community of women and mentors who fly drones around the world. Women Who Drone’s goals in the MassChallenge program includes growing their global community of female drone pilots, expanding their drone education to more women and girls as well as raise funding to build their team, content and online products. About Women Who Drone Women Who Drone is an online platform and community that inspires, educates and empowers women and girls with drone technology. We do this by providing drone education including creative one on one lessons, workshops and online courses but also prospective career opportunities and a community of women and mentors who fly drones around the world. About MassChallenge MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 1,900 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $4 billion in funding, generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue, and created more than 120,000 total jobs. #womenwhodrone #Masschallenge #PressRelease #Press #News

Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. DJI Technology has just dropped what many are calling their version of a GoPro, using their stellar camera technology to break into the action camera world. With their brand new Osmo Action, DJI's action camera debut is packed with features. Boasting 4K HDR Video, 8x Slow Motion, and UHD Image Quality, Osmo Action also has dual screens so you can “record your world from behind a lens or be the star of the show”. Read on to find out more about the camera's many features and why people are comparing DJI to GoPro. PHYSICAL FEATURES Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. Built with durability in mind, DJI claims that their new action camera will allow you to spend less time worrying about your equipment so you can focus on the action. It has a watertight seal and a hydrophobic coating on the back touchscreen, making it waterproof at depths of up to 11 meters. With protection like that, you can get those killer underwater shots! Environmental safeguards are vital in any action camera, and the Osmo Action's design seems to have taken that into account. The Osmo Action was also built to withstand the elements. The camera features what they call RockSteady stabilization, a combination of electronic image stabilization (EIS) and “complex algorithms” designed to keep camera footage stable. Its lens features 3 aspherical layers for the purpose of reducing glare and distortion, a safeguard against direct sunlight. The Lens Filter Cap has a protective, anti-fingerprint coating on it that "repels oil, water, dirt, and other small particles”. In addition to being resistant to water damage and dirt on the lens, Its constructed to be resistant to have batteries resistant to extreme cold with batteries able to withstand temperatures as low as -10℃”. It also features a 16% increase in cooling efficiency thanks to its heat-transfer system. This prevents the camera from overheating. SOFTWARE FEATURES Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. In terms of what it's capable of, Osmo Action's HDR camera can handle recording in environments with “complex lighting” and can naturally transition between light and dark. Designed with even night shots in mind, Osmo Action has “manual and semi-automatic settings that allow up to 120 seconds of exposure, perfect for capturing the night sky.” This camera is capable of 8x Slow Motion with 1080p resolution and 240fps and can record 4K/60fps at 100Mbps. With these frame rates you could spice up your timeline with slowmo and time lapse videos. Extend your footage to show off every detail or condense your footage to capture extended movement and time, and plan the perfect shot with timed photos. Additionally, DJI claims that Osmo Action's operating system, Action OS, is “extremely fast”. They have streamlined the user interface, so that it only has 3 buttons, powering on, recording, and setting modes. Speaking of modes, you can use them to customize your action camera. Through custom mode, you can create a list of your most frequently used shooting modes. ACCESSORIES This is all well and good, but what about the peripherals? A camera's accessories are also important. Osmo Action already has some accessories available on the DJI store website. They include backup batteries, a charging kit, an adhesive mount kit, and more. The Osmo Action store page advertises a waterproof case that you can take to depths of up to 60 meters, a floating handle to aid shooting in water, a 3 port charging hub, and a quick-release base. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. COMPARISON TO GOPRO Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. and GoPro, Inc. Many people are comparing this camera to other action cameras most notably the GoPro. Osmo Action has primarily been compared to the GoPro HERO7 Black released late last year. Some are even saying that DJI's foray into action cameras is a direct response to GoPro's release of their Karma drone in 2016. The GoPro HERO7 Black is also waterproof (at depths up to 10 meters) and has "gimbal-like" stabilization. It also advertises voice control (16 voice commands compared to Osmo's 5) and live streaming features. Originally, it sold for $399.99, but it's currently on sale for $349.99, the same price as the Osmo Action. As a result of these and more similarities, there are already several articles and videos comparing the two cameras. However, opinions are divided. Some people believe the Osmo Action to be a sufficient substitute, some just think of it as a worthy contender to the HERO7, and others believe that the Osmo Action doesn't compare to GoPro at all. So, what do you think? Is the Osmo Action competition for the HERO7? If DJI is making great action cameras, will GoPro make comparable drones. Are DJI and GoPro really rival brands? Feel free to share what you think. 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 #gopro #djinews #newproduct #OsmoAction #actioncamera #Karmadrone #goprokarma #waterproof #DJI #DJIstore

Location: Manchester/ Peak District UK Tell us about yourself. I am passionate about encouraging more women to fly drones. 4 years ago, I set up a blog and social media presence as "The Drone Lass", and I know I have inspired others to fly. That is not just women but men as well. I love horses and dogs although I don't own any. To keep fit, I walk in the hills, run and ride a mountain bike. I am passionate about drones, architecture, culture, books, photography, cameras and travel. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I was working in the camera department of the BBC, and production teams were coming in talking about drones. I was fascinated and read lots on the internet. Then, I saw a clip from the NYC Drone Film Festival and decided that I needed a drone. A drone would add to my skill set as a filmmaker and TV camera operator. What made you make the transition? I don't think I have made a transition really. I feel that I have added to my skill set and improved my employability as a person. I get booked for lots of reasons: as a Filmmaker, Shooting Producer Director, Camera Operator, and also as a Drone Operator. It has become a combination of all my skills. Although, more and more of my working time and income is drone related. What drone are you currently flying? I fly an Inspire 1, Phantom P4P x 2 and a Mavic 2 Pro What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? The camera on my Dji Mavic 2 Pro is insane as the colour space is amazing. I loved both the x5 and x7 cameras. You can create amazing footage and stills, and I really enjoy flying it as it is compact. I have flown it and the Dji Inspire 2 for some of the companies I fly for. What drone images are you most proud of and why? The new photos I am taking at the moment. I am challenging myself to come up with higher quality images and trying to see the landscape. There is some amazing drone photographers out there, and they are inspiring me to do more stills and make them better. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? You have to constantly evaluate your own work and be supportive to yourself. Ignore the inner critic that says you can't do something. I have learned that we all have to be beginners at something so allow yourself to be a beginner. Also, learning is a lot of fun. Equally, don't say you can do something unless you have the skills to carry you through. If you don't have the skills, learn them. Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I fly a lot for BBC Breakfast, and they are always LIVE. To think my pictures are being sent live out to UK homes makes for a memorable experience every time. I try not to think of what might go wrong. Commit to the shot and go for it. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? You must go for it. It is amazing standing in a field or wherever flying a drone. It is fun, challenging, exciting, technical, creative, and who knows where it might lead you. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? To feel that I am not the only woman doing this is the most wonderful feeling. Also, I see that the industry is going to twist and turn to be something we haven't yet thought it will be. We are at the beginning. Yes, it may be 6 years since the first consumer drones, but the tech is getting better and better and more affordable. I say all the time the drone industry, even as a hobby, is a level playing field for women. Let's be present, lets show up! Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Keep calm and practice flying. Learn about whatever drone you have and whatever drone you can afford. Don't feel you need to constantly update. Although we all love new tech, you can get a lot out of what you currently own. Try and do your own thing and don't constantly compare yourself to others. Be inspired but don't steal others ideas. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Via my blog or by Instagram: @thedrone_lass Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I love maps and perhaps that was a hidden bit in becoming a PfCO holder in the UK. I have copies of maps in my house and adore the aviation maps. I'm totally geeky about all drone aspects. She has been flying drones professionally for over four years. She is a camera operator and shooting producer/director for TV and has flown drones for major TV companies including the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and various independent production companies. Carys has appeared on BBC 5 Live, BBC News channels, Good Morning Britain and in The Guardian as a drone industry spokesperson and expert. She is a public speaker and educator can be found flying drones in the Peak District, near Manchester and is a PFCO UAV flight instructor in the UK. One of very few female instructors. She writes a blog entitled The Drone Lass. She has spoken at lots of events about drones including the Photography show UK and The Video show UK. #femaledronepilot #pilotspotlight #CarysKaiser #wwdambassador #womenwhodroneambassador #unitedkingdom #TheDroneLass #NYCDroneFilmFestival #BBC #DJIMavic2Pro #BBCBreakfast

Image Credit: D. Falanga, K. Kleber, S. Mintchev, D. Floreano, and D. Scaramuzza We have witnessed time and time again the conveniences that drones bring to different industries. Because of their maneuverability and safety, drones have facilitated businesses' needs for inspections, aerial imaging, and drone mapping. Drones have proved themselves to be incredibly useful in these areas, but they do still have their limitations, one being their shape. Whether its a helicopter, fixed-wing, or quadcopter, there are going to be difficult places to navigate. If only there was a drone that could change its shape while flying. Such a drone may not be far off. In an instance of drone innovation, a research team with the University of Zurich in Switzerland developed the Foldable Drone. Inspired by the use of drones in search-and-rescue and in inspections, this team worked to create a drone that could “morph” in midair to avoid obstacles and navigate through narrow openings. This drone was designed to “morph” and squeeze through difficult spaces in order to perform inspections, aerial mapping, and aerial imaging. Here's what we know about them and their work so far. Video Credit: D. Falanga, K. Kleber, S. Mintchev, D. Floreano, and D. Scaramuzza The University of Zurich is the largest university in Sweden. The work being done on the Foldable Drone was started by the university’s Robotics and Perception group late last year. Their Robotics and Perception lab was founded in 2012 and is part of the university’s Department of Informatics, where their main goal is “to develop autonomous machines that can navigate all by themselves”. A research team within this lab designed this drone to be able to retract its arms mid-flight so that it could navigate through difficult spaces, drawing inspiration from “birds that fold their wings in midair to cross narrow passages”. It is capable of doing this because of its “morphing design” which consists of “four independently rotating arms that fold around the main frame.” Furthermore, the researchers who developed this design state in their research paper that they were able to guarantee stable flight at all times, in spite of the drone’s folding maneuvers, by exploiting “an optimal control strategy that adapts on the fly to the drone Morphology.” As a result of this design, the foldable drone can accomplish morphing into three distinct shapes: H morphology, O morphology, and T morphology. Their research paper includes images of the drone exhibiting these morphologies as well as an image of the drone entering a collapsed building through a narrow gap. Image Credit: D. Falanga, K. Kleber, S. Mintchev, D. Floreano, and D. Scaramuzza If put on the market, a drone with these capabilities would be another game-changer in the drone industry. Its ability to change shape while still flying would be a great asset to any business or public service team. Hopefully, we can look forward to seeing more developments to this “foldable” technology and a commercial release sometime soon. If you'd like to follow the research team's experiments with the Foldable Drone, check out their site. 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 #quadcopter #morphingquadcopter #foldingdrone #foldabledrone #universityofzurich #robotics #sweden #morphology #aerialimaging #dronemapping

Image Credit: SZ DJI Technology Co. Almost everyone is talking about the epic climax of Marvel’s superhero cinematic universe: Avengers Endgame. In the leadup to this cinematic event, Marvel has released all kinds of promotional merchandise. Ordinarily, retailers sell Avengers-branded t-shirts, posters, accessories, and even makeup. One of the more unique items receiving the Avengers treatment is the Tello. Have you ever wanted to fly a boldly colored hi-tech UAS just like Iron Man? Well, you’re in luck because DJI has released a new Tello modeled after everyone’s favorite Avenger, Iron Man. Originally, the Tello was lauded as a great drone for beginners. Launched last year, the Tello was a collaborative effort put forth by DJI, Shenzhen startup Ryze Tech, and Intel. It was created to be a low-budget drone that made learning to fly and program fun. It was priced at an affordable $99, hundreds of dollars less than DJI’s next inexpensive model. Ryze endearingly refers to the Tello as “a smaller brother of the Spark.” A key aspect of the Tello is its educational component. It was designed to educate through entertainment and interactivity. Junior pilots can fly this drone with their smartphones by using the Tello app and with the Tello Edu app, they can learn how to program their drone. Video Credit: Tello Drone Essentially, the new Avengers Tello Iron Man Edition comes with the same features that made the original Tello great wrapped up in a new iron man skin (and with a $30 surcharge). It has the same 13 minutes of flight time, 100-meter image transmission, and 720p HD transmission. An added feature for this version is the companion Tello Hero app. This app strives to immerse the pilot in Iron Man’s world and even uses his new artificial intelligence assistant F.R.I.D.A.Y., who Marvel introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The Iron Man Tello also supports Tello Edu so the Tello maintains its educational benefits. Nowadays, films are relying on drones to land the perfect aerial shot. It’s not often that a drone is redesigned to feature a film. Other than custom designs, there are only a few instances of drones be designed in honor of a major motion picture. In 2016, the Propel team launched a range of Disney licensed Star Wars battle drones. They also sell a DC endorsed Batwing and Batwing HD. This new Tello is a fun addition to the DJI store and an interesting way to celebrate the new Avengers film. Are there any other drones that should receive a superhero makeover? What film do you want to get the drone treatment? Feel free to share your dream movie drone combination in the comments. 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 #Marvel #djinews #Tello #IronMan #TelloIronManEdition #starkindustries #TonyStark #Avengers #AvengersEndGame #FRIDAY #Disney #StarWars #Propel #DCcomics #Batwing #Batman

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