The Commercial UAV Expo is targeted towards the use of drone technology in industry sectors such as construction and inspection, conservation and agriculture, energy and utilities, public safety and search and rescue as well as mapping and surveying among others.
Conference Sessions
In previous years I have focused on the various quality sessions available to attendees to learn more about how UAV technology is being utilized in various industry sectors and gain some insights as to where it may be headed in the future. But this year brought about an entirely different focus for me.
The session I found the most beneficial happened to also be the one that my Co-PI’s from our NSF UASTEP grant happened to be facilitating titled the “University Roundtable.” The discussions revolved around all things relevant to drone curriculum in institutions of higher learning. This was yet another great opportunity to share with and gain insights from our peers from colleges and universities around the country, as well as get a better feel for how the quality of our UAV related programs and courses at Palomar College match up.
The various tables in the session focused on issues such as developing courses, programs and curriculum, training students for UAV related jobs in the industry, insurance and legal issues for faculty and staff as well as student outreach and assessing programs. It was such a great atmosphere and time of sharing as well as brainstorming. I will definitely be looking forward to more of these sessions at upcoming expos and conferences.
Some of the 2018 higher education institutions who participated in the UAV Expo:
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Mt. San Antonio College University of North Dakota – Research Institute for Autonomous Systems
- Palomar College
- Penn State University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- University of Texas at Arlington
- West Virginia University
- Wichita State University
Hope to see you at the next one!
Mark Bealo
Co-Principal Investigator
Mark Bealo is the Co-Principal Investigator of the UASTEP project. He is a Professor of Graphic Communications at Palomar College, and the primary instructor and curriculum developer for the introductory and advanced Digital Imaging with UAS classes currently offered at the College. Mark develops UAS curriculum and program at Palomar College, and coordinates a variety of student outreach events as well as workshops for high school students and educators.