Category: Uncategorized

Tyler Folsom is the Elcano Project Affiliate Professor for University of Washington. By now we should all see how much self driving cars will change our cities. Tyler is working on ways to make that transition in a practical way.

Changes to the infrastructure and development of low price sensors will be the key.

Gabriel Torres is representing MicaSense. They are working on the next-generation sensors for agricultural.

High resolution near infrared spectral imaging can clearly show a change in crop health even before visible signs appear. Comparison of data can easily show where change is taking place.

Tom Nugent, from LaserMotive Inc., talked about using lasers to transfer power from the ground to an airborne drone. Initially this will be for security and military applications, but they aim to make this tech available to smaller commercial companies.

Andy Hickl is talking about Vulcan Inc. and how it is working to support the use of UAVs to aid with crisis management, transportation of supplies (like blood samples from potential Ebola victims), and poaching enforcement to save endangered species.

Unfortunately, efforts to curb poaching has been unsuccessful and the loss of many large endangered animals are already to far gone. More ideas  are needed to increase the effectiveness of sensors, longer range, and more automation is needed to really effect change in the long run.

The local syndicates are well equipped and easily deploy around the activities of drone crews. The fear of drone attacks do intimidate poachers for now, but as awareness about UAVs increases the realization that not all drones are weaponized.

There is a large demand for near real-time tracking of animal groups. If we can track the animals, we can predict were the poachers will be.

From bridge inspections to promotional imagery, Washington DOT is actively seeking to build relationships with UAV organizations to hit the ground running once government regulations are lifted.

Legislation is a continuing topic at this conference.