Unmanned and autonomous systems are already hard at work saving lives, improving mobility, and increasing human potential. But for their promise to be fully realized we must all work together to build public confidence by assuring that these systems are safe and reliable.

Season One of the Assuring Autonomy web series premiered in the summer of 2020, and features interviews with our members discussing how their technologies are supporting society and communities around the world.

Season 1:
How the AUVSI Community is using technology to help during COVID-19

 

Episode 1 – Robotic Research

Alberto Lacaze, Co-Founder & President of Robotic Research, sits down with Brian Wynne to discuss their efforts to support COVID response by manufacturing reusable face shields for local hospitals, releasing their patent for 3D-printing sterile devices and components, and adjusting designs to sanitize the interior and high-touch exterior surfaces of transit vehicles.

Robotic Research also works to achieve increased roadway efficiency by providing Level 4 autonomous buses in New York, Connecticut and shuttles in 30 cities across North America and Europe, and with the defense community to support critical security operations.

Robotic Research, one of the world's leading autonomous technology providers, is driving the transformation of operations through innovative and intelligent autonomous systems. Whether providing autonomous vehicles to the military to keep the warfighter safe; delivering unmanned, transformable robots to extend the reach of Special Forces units; or making commercial transportation safer and more efficient, Robotic Research is leading this dynamic technology revolution. The company is a force multiplier for SpecOps and combat units, offering solutions for the military’s toughest challenges. Since 2002, the company’s subject matter experts in AI and advanced computing, along with world-renowned engineers, have been transforming what many consider dull and dangerous activities with smart and safe solutions. www.RoboticResearch.com
 

Episode 2 – UPS Flight Forward

In Episode 2 of Assuring Autonomy, Kevin Wasik, head of Global Business Development at UPS Flight Forward (UPSFF), talks to Brian Wynne about UPSFF using drones to deliver medical prescriptions from a CVS pharmacy to The Villages, Florida, which is the largest U.S. retirement community, home to more than 135,000 residents. Delivering prescriptions via drones not only helps enforce social distancing practices, but it also allows seniors, a high-risk demographic during the pandemic, to stay at home and still receive the medicine they need.

UPSFF is also working with hospitals to plan the transport of COVID-19 specimens via drones, which increases the speed of transit, reduces the turnaround time in the lab environment, and ultimately provides an opportunity to diagnose patients sooner.

UPS Flight Forward is changing the world of drone delivery. Their drone airline is the first to receive full Part 135 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and they are flying fast toward new innovations and enhanced customer experiences. From life-saving medical delivery speed to leading-edge consumer technology, UPS Flight Forward is just getting started!

 

Episode 3 – Skydio

In Episode 3 of Assuring Autonomy, Adam Bry, CEO of Skydio, talks to Brian Wynne about Skydio’s various efforts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Their “Emergency Response Program” has donated 50 Skydio 2 drones and supporting accessories to public safety agencies across the country for use during high risk scenarios, to inspect hazardous materials, and for search and rescue tasks. They have also partnered with FrontLine Support to help deliver one million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline healthcare workers utilizing the Skydio logistics network and supply chain.

Skydio’s enterprise customers have also seen an uptick in their use of drone technology for numerous applications, including industrial inspection tasks for critical infrastructure like bridges and the energy grid.

Skydio is the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight. Skydio leverages breakthrough AI to create the world’s most intelligent flying machines for use by consumers, enterprises, and government customers. Founded in 2014, Skydio is made up of leading experts in AI, robotics, cameras, and electric vehicles from top companies, research labs, and universities from around the world. Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S. from its headquarters in Redwood City, CA, to offer the highest standards of supply chain and manufacturing security. www.skydio.com

 

Episode 4 – FIRST iZ

In Episode 4 of Assuring Autonomy, Phil Burks, CEO of Phirst Technologies, talks to Brian Wynne about FIRST iZ, the company’s autonomous drone system that provides first responders with real-time situational awareness for incidents - allowing them to access the environment, location and status of victims, and the presence of any hazardous materials before they arrive on scene and throughout the response.

According to Burks, the pandemic will result in three major outcomes for the company’s technology. The first is that it will facilitate more reliance on safe, automated technology to avoid having to put people in danger. The second is that it will allow the company to improve its various capabilities and offerings such as temperature sensing to get better situational awareness for first responders. And the third is that drones will become just as universal and ubiquitous as self-driving delivery vehicles, where they can take off on sensor information and complete their operations autonomously without the need for a pilot or remote pilot in charge.

FIRST iZ is an integrated unmanned aerial solution (UAS) featuring rapid autonomous deployment from its revolutionary FIRST Port. FIRST iZ UAVs are programmed to autonomously fly to incidents, routinely surveil secure areas, sniff for hazardous gases, and get there first, allowing for decision makers to know what they are facing before people and resources are dispatched to the scene. FIRST iZ is headquartered in Tyler, TX, and its products are proudly designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. www.firstiz.com

   

Episode 5 – DJI

In Episode 5 of Assuring Autonomy, Romeo Durscher, senior director of Public Safety Integration at DJI, talks to Brian Wynne about DJI’s Disaster Relief Program, which is helping support public safety agencies across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in 2019, DJI decided to scale the program in March 2020 as the pandemic began to grip the U.S. The program is currently supporting 45 agencies across 22 states utilizing DJI’s Mavic 2 Enterprise drone, an adaptable platform that can be equipped with a variety of accessories such as a speaker, spotlight, or beacon, depending on the operations.

DJI has seen a variety of use cases for its drones arise from the program. The Chula Vista Police Department in Chula Vista, California, has used the technology to communicate with the homeless population and inform them that there was a health station in the area to provide them with whatever assistance they may need. The drone allowed them to cover more area than they would have by foot, and mitigate risk to personnel and the population itself. The drones have also been used to deliver small items such as masks and prescription medicines to the front porches of homes, which also helps enforce social distancing.

DJI is a global leader in developing and manufacturing civilian drones and aerial imaging technology for personal and professional use. The use of drones in public safety has shown the value of this new technology in not only a tool to help save people, structures and land, but by also mitigating the risk to our first responders. This force-multiplier allows incident commanders to get better and faster data, from visible light cameras, thermal cameras, to gas and radiation detectors. This enhanced situational awareness helps crews to make better, safer and more efficient decisions. www.dji.com.