Industry Trade Show Recognizes Greatness in Uncrewed Systems

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) recognized the winners of the 5th annual XCELLENCE Awards at their expo, AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2022.

The winners are said to represent those "companies, organizations, and individuals that achieved significant accomplishments in operations, technology and innovation across the uncrewed systems community." The fast-moving nature of the industry has seen progress gallop along, matched by outside interest and funding as drones move from niche hobby or enterprise to vital corporate standby. 

In his address to attendees, AUVSI head Brian Wynne emphasized the special nature of 5 decades as an industry body. “During AUVSI’s 50th anniversary year, we are celebrating the accomplishments of the uncrewed systems industry within the last half-century, reflecting on lessons learned, and looking ahead to our vision for the future,” said Wynne. “The 2022 XCellence award winners represent some of the leading innovations and organizations that will help us reach our shared vision of assured autonomy.”

This year's awards span improvements to operational readiness and preflight planning, like the Florida Power & Light Company's FPLAir Blue Sky Operations, or Percepto for their work in "dronifying" critical infrastructure. Peripherals and components, like Centum's Lifeseeker Light, Amprius Tech's new 450+ Wh/kg Li-ion batteries, or the Honeywell BVLOS suite garnered recognition of their own. Hardware and systems design's first place award went to Easy Aerial, for their Raptor Smart Monitoring system, with second place heading to Stratom for their autonomous refueling. 

The overall innovation awards went to Drone Delivery Canada Corporation, for their work in integrating cargo drones into controlled airspace at a major international airport, with runner-up recognition for Wing's store-to-door delivery. 

FMI: www.AUVSI.org