'Drones, Droids and Unmanned Systems' Planned For Late September

"Drones, Droids and Unmanned Systems” will be the focus of a symposium hosted by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Cascade Chapter September 28th and 29th at the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and Spa in Warm Springs, OR.  Nationally and regionally acclaimed speakers will address the latest in unmanned systems and robotics technologies, legislative and regulatory updates, as well as innovative developments from industry, government and academia.

“We’re excited to announce that there’s something for everybody,” Tom Hagen, President of AUVSI Cascade Chapter remarked, “from state policy makers, sea to sky technologies, funding resources and flight testing environments, to practical implementations and demonstrations, plus vendors who can help with your unmanned system requirements.”

To kick off the conference, Oregon State Representative Rich Vial (R-Scholls), newly named leader of the Oregon Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Working Group, will keynote. He will discuss legislative efforts to promote the “drone” business as fuel for the Oregon economy while carefully addressing privacy and other concerns of Oregon residents. That economic impact of unmanned systems, both in the Northwest and nationally, takes financial resources to create and implement great new applications of unmanned system technologies. A panel of highly experienced bankers and venture capitalists will address this growth, the significant increase in unmanned systems capital investments to help startups and innovative technologies, and the practical implications of funding groundbreaking ideas, technologies and businesses. Another panel composed of Oregon and Washington Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Range Managers will highlight the great capabilities of their test ranges and activities to date that have played important roles in growing this dynamic market.

For the “techies,” other speakers on the agenda will address exciting new technologies in the unmanned systems market, many of which will also foster innovative applications in other industries such as automobiles, boats and manned aircraft.  Michael Kass from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Ben Gould from the Naval Research Laboratory will address emerging technologies stemming from propulsion research and hydrogen fuel cell developments in unmanned systems implementations. Andrew Ziegwied from Autonomous Surface Vessels will discuss important advances in unmanned maritime systems, yet another market gaining momentum. Highlighting the “concept to reality” path of these technologies, live flight demos will demonstrate the increasing use of drones to perform practical missions from infrastructure inspections to crime scene management and fire monitoring/intervention. Vendor displays will populate the conference venue, allowing attendees to see a variety of technologies and services impacting the unmanned market.

The Second Annual AUVSI Cascade Chapter STEM Benefit Dinner will cap the conference’s first day with a keynote and student presentations featuring innovative work of high school students from Central Oregon. All dinner proceeds are used by the chapter to fund STEM activities in Oregon and Washington.

For drone operators and interested others, AUVSI Cascade Chapter is hosting a “Remote Pilot’s Workshop” the morning of September 29th, a comprehensive overview of education, training and operational experience presented by Dr. Patrick Ford of Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, WA.

Conference registration is open at AUVSI Cascade's Drones Droids and Unmanned Systems event page. Special "Early Bird" registration rates are available through September 14th. The Cascade Chapter welcomes all to come enjoy and learn about the unmanned systems industry and innovations that will impact all of us – all while enjoying the warm hospitality of Kah-Nee-Ta in beautiful central Oregon.

(Source: AUVSI news release)

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