InterDrome 2015 wrapped up a successful conference last week in Las Vegas where a record number of attendees and exhibitors came together to discuss, review, and play with the latest in drone technology. The success of InterDrone represented how important drones are becoming to a wide, diverse audience ranging from the hobbyist to commercial applications all in one conference.
In an industry as young and free willing as the drone industry, it is amazing how valuable experience is when compared with more mature industries. The drone industry is still in its revolution phase where new products and technologies replace existing products and technologies. The drone industry is at the stage where small companies and individuals can have a major impact on the industry.
The Hanger was a unique feature of the InterDrone show where start-ups were featured in a separate conference room from the main exhibit hall. To stimulate attendee interest in the start-up companies area everyone was given 3 InterDrone chips to vote on the start-up they liked best. It would be unfair to say there was a winner because all the companies were viewed by everyone who voted, but the company that got the most chips was Vufine who demonstrated their high definition, wearable display. www.vufine.com
Two companies of note, Drones Plus, and Skyworks represent how small, new, and innovative companies will make a big impact in the drone industry for a different reason. Their story is at the end of this article.
In talking with some attendees and exhibitors, it was clear enthusiasm for the industry was the main motivation for their attending the conference. The complaints I heard were along the general lines they wanted more classes, more time, more exhibitors, just more.
InterDrone had something for each of the groups of people I talked to at the conference;
· The Curious, who just want to fly drones for fun
· The Hobbyist, who want to build, fly and customize their drones for their enjoyment
· The Droner, (a term I created to explain) people who totally eat, sleep, and breath drones or dream, build and create drones
· The Professional, anyone who plans to use drones as a means of making money (commercial applications, movies, agriculture, military suppliers, etc.)
· The Manufacturers and suppliers who build and sell drones and related services and parts
Drones Rules
Drone use rules, (and some will debate if there are any rules at all) are not clear. The FAA is due to release the final rules for commercial use of drones relatively soon according to the original schedule. Technically any commercial use is illegal unless the operator applies for and is granted an FAA 333 Exemption. Anyone who plans to use drones commercially has two choices to get an exemption or don’t get caught. Being illegal does not stop the practice only makes people more careful (to some extent). The rules that are in place should be taken seriously for the sake of the industry.
The rules say drones must stay under 500 feet and away from areas where people, pets, and property are in danger from mishandled drones. Same airspace restrictions apply to drones as they do with other aircraft. This means no flying over or around airports without permission or other restricted airspaces especially where security is a primary reason for the restrictions. States have rules different from the FAA where privacy laws apply, so it is up to the operator to know the rules and laws for their locale.
Leaders of the Industry attend InterDrone
InterDrone did not disappoint on the quality of the exhibitors at the show. DJI with their full line of drones, Yuneec demonstrated their Typhoon 4K systems, 3DR with their platforms, just to name a few of the leaders with drones. Companies like Amimon with their wireless 1080 P 60 FPS video link, to Thunder Power RC’s power packs. There were other companies with accessories to enhance the basic drone platform. Law firms and insurance companies were represented to offer their service and products to the drone industry.
Two companies represent the exciting and diverse nature of the drone business; one is Drones Plus a retail store based in Las Vegas with 12 locations across North America. Second is Skyworks, an engineering firm developing hardware and software tools enabling companies developing commercial solutions using drones as a platform to save time to market.
Drones Plus
Based in Las Vegas with ten locations across America and two in Canada they are taking the lead in how drones should be sold at retail. It is possible to buy drones, even very sophisticated commercial platforms, from many different outlets including the Internet, but that does not mean it is a good idea.
When you walk into any Drones Plus, you will immediately appreciate the professional layout, variety of product offering, but most of all the professional and knowledgeable staff. The staff knows the products, the rules and can explain with enthusiasm the advantage of each system and options. Regardless, if you are looking for the $30 drone to play with or a drone for the kids or spending 10’s of thousand for a fully loaded platform drone capable of any commercial application Drones Plus has an answer.
At first I assumed the Plus, in Drones Plus was just a marketing slogan but after talking with the staff and spokeswoman Abi Wright, I realized it was not about the products as much as it was about the little things they offer which make the big difference. Drones Plus is a full-service center for DJI, you break it they can fix it. They will be offering classes on flight operations, classes on the best use of the photographic options, and when commercial rules are announced, they will have commercial classes.
Drones Plus is introducing a line of carbon fiber 250 drone racers. If you are into 250 racing, then you know how important it is to have a professionally designed and built out of the box racer designed to be fast. Drone Racing is a little like the Darknet if you are involved you know what it is and how it works if not then it may not be for you. However, if you want to match your skills ( think Starwars) against others in a competition requiring great eye-hand coordination, unbelievable concentration (think video game meets real world), then the sport is for you. Talk to the people at Drones Plus if you are serious.
Drones Plus is important to the drone industry because they provide a safety first and responsible environment for the purchase of drones. They help the manufacturers develop a loyal customer base and provide a level of support not possible from the general retailers. They help the industry by making sure all their customers understand that safety is the top priority of every drone user. They help consumers because they are a go-to source for information and training plus they can help a purchaser make a better decision about which drone is best for them. Buying the wrong drone can be very disappointing for many reasons but having people who understand every aspect of the drones can help you make the best selection will only make the experience better. www.dronesplus.com
Skyworks
Skyworks makes it possible for companies developing drone based applications an alternative to spending time and money developing the flying platform and flight software. Instead, a company can use the Skyworks development packages to go straight to developing their solution.
It may help to understand exactly where Skyworks fits in the UAV industry. The vast majority of drones sold are to users who want to own and fly drones. Companies developing solution based applications need a drone specific to their application, where the drone is just a platform, not the end product. To have maximum control of the application, companies will need to be able to develop their platform. They cannot risk having an off the shelf drone, which may be discontinued or changed by the manufacturer without notice putting their application at risk.
Solution based markets are where people (companies) are buying solutions that may have a drone as a platform. For example, search and rescue, crop analysis, law enforcement, power inspections, military, etc. In each case, there is a drone as a platform but it is the application the users are buying. The companies selling the solutions are using drones as a platform, sort of a means to an end. They want to sell solutions this is where Skyworks comes into the picture.
A solution provider has several choices: buy an off the shelf drone and add their solutions, or design and build a proprietary drone, or use the development tools from Skyworks to create a drone platform custom to their needs but with all the advantage of a fully supported commercial drone. The Skyworks approach provides for upgrade paths in both hardware and software. It offers the solution provider a speedier time to market with a drone platform they can build from and not at risk with only one manufacturer’s products.
Skyworks was founded by two outstanding engineers from UNLV, Gregory Friesmuth, and Jinger Zeng. The founders along with a group of accomplished people have made Skyworks into a means to an end for companies needing to create great products. Using Skyworks developers can use the product without having to learn a whole new set of software and hardware development skills just to accomplish their task.
If your company is a solution provider in the UAV industry, then Skyworks is a company you should seriously look at. If you want information about the company contact Amanda Cuenca, public relations officer. www.skyworksas.com
The_Dean is the name I use to cover trade shows with my Blogs. Over 25 years of covering, working and attending trade shows I notice the insight to be gain from trade shows if far superior to marketing hype you read in advertising. I can be reached at the_dean@preemptmarketing.com. This Blog may be reposted without further permission.
