Commercial UAV Expo Americas

Industry workshops, technology exhibits, and demonstrations highlight the gathering of drone professionals.

The Commercial UAV Expo Americas, Oct. 1-3 in Las Vegas, is intended for professionals who are integrating or operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in key vertical industries. In addition to industry-specific breakouts, topics will include workflow integration, security/counterdrone technology, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Integration Pilot Program, robotics, traffic management, Low Altitude Authorization & Notification Capability, and more. And, the expo offers a glimpse of what’s coming next on the technology and regulatory fronts.

Three full days of conference programming includes workshops, keynotes, and plenaries, as well as outdoor drone demonstrations, a 200-plus booth exhibit hall, and networking events. Thirty exhibiting companies are scheduled to provide product previews that highlight the newest advances and best practices for specifying, planning, and executing projects.

Workshops

Eight Vertical Industry Deep Dive Workshops will cover topics from platform selection to data integration, workflows, security, and more. Workshop industries include the following:

Construction — Aerial data obtained on construction sites via UAVs for digital elevation maps, point clouds, and other uses for efficiency and safety is increasingly being leveraged for engineering analysis and predictive analytics. This workshop will examine the best approaches from capturing information and new tools to best practices for integrating, processing, and disseminating the information, including deliverables and visualization. Scaling a UAV program and anticipating future developments will also be addressed.

DOTs & Infrastructure — UAVs deployed for roads, bridges, and tunnels are realizing increased value, from fault detection to asset management. But what does it take to successfully integrate a UAV program into a government agency? In-depth content in this workshop will provide practical knowledge for developing policy and guidelines for UAV programs.

Large Installation Assets — This workshop focuses on the use of drones from inspection and operation to maintenance of cell towers, wind turbines, solar farms, and other large installations. Key issues include appropriate sensor types and integration, safety compliance, automated systems, adjusting work processes, sharing data, progress in use of AI and autonomy, and options for the future such as swarms and utilizing large structures for drone charging.

Mining & Aggregates — This workshop addresses the unique challenges of terrestrial mapping and volumetric calculations above and below ground, from the appropriate sensors and platforms to compiling and analyzing the data.

Precision Agriculture — Experts in this workshop will cover the use of the newest technology to obtain actionable information, including drones, remote sensing, and satellites.

Process, Power & Utilities — This workshop will focus on the use of UAVs for applications that involve processing of fluids or gases — oil & gas, electricity, water, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. Topics include best practices for real-time monitoring and inspection; managing and sharing data; integrating UAVs into current systems and workflows; scaling a UAV program; and leveraging information for risk mitigation and operational optimization.

Public Safety — Police, fire, and government entities are constrained in the use of UAVs, not only by budget but also by public perceptions and oversight. This workshop focuses on lessons learned and key factors for a successful UAV program, including mapping, reconstruction, mission overwatch, patrol uses, search and rescue, emergency management, interior tactical searching, health sciences, cybersecurity, data science operations, and other related topics.

Surveying & Mapping — Drones are ideal for topographic measurement, from movement monitoring, change detection, seepage detection, volumetric measurement, and more. However, determining the right sensors and tools for managing the data is not always clear-cut. LiDAR, photogrammetry, multispectral, processing/extracting the data, and appropriate deliverables will all be covered.

Keynotes

Daniel K. Elwell, acting administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); and Michael Perry, managing director of North America for DJI, will deliver keynotes at Commercial UAV Expo Americas. Within the FAA, Elwell is responsible for the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world — a system that operates more than 50,000 flights per day.

At DJI, which controls the majority of drone market share, Perry has helped engage industry leaders across multiple sectors, top tier global media, and international government partners to understand the potential of unmanned aerial technology. His work also includes identifying and engaging partners to help expand the capabilities of unmanned aerial systems through new hardware or software solutions, investment, and technical collaboration.

Demonstrations

Commercial UAV Expo, in coordination with the Nevada Institute of Autonomous Systems, will be hosting live outdoor drone demonstrations at Henderson Unmanned Vehicle Range (HUVR) on Monday, Oct. 1. Six vendors will demonstrate a range of drone applications, including live inspections, public safety scenarios, and surveying and mapping. Demonstrations will showcase not only airframe and sensor capabilities, but also resulting data sets and processing solutions.

Information provided by Commercial UAV Expo Americas (www.expouav.com).