Celebrating 10 Years of Commercial Drone Innovation
Since our launch in 2015, the commercial UAS industry has undergone remarkable growth and evolution. From the start, Commercial UAV Expo and Commercial UAV News have been proud to serve as the essential platforms for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange within the commercial UAS sector, and we were thrilled to have celebrated our historic tenth edition in 2024.
Commercial UAV Expo continues to stand as a testament to the extraordinary advancements and achievements that uncrewed aerial services have contributed to a wide range of industries, fundamentally reshaping the way we work and live. The tenth annual event attracted a truly global audience, with 225 exhibitors showcasing cuttingedge technologies and groundbreaking solutions. Over 3,300 verified professionals from around the world gathered to share insights, explore new opportunities, and celebrate the continued growth of the UAS industry.
Our extensive conference programming featured more than 150 industry experts, who shared how drone technology is being applied across sectors like construction, energy and utilities, critical infrastructure, and public safety, and where it is making a measurable impact. A highlight of this year’s event was the introduction of the Pilot Hub, a dedicated space in the Exhibit Hall focused on practical drone pilot education for new and seasoned pilots. Attendees were also able to engage in a variety of educational formats, including workshops, roundtables, and flying demonstrations, creating a dynamic and enriching experience for all.
Throughout the event, numerous networking opportunities allowed participants to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential collaborators, offering a unique chance to build lasting relationships and forge new business connections.
Thank you for being part of this milestone event. We hope you will plan to participate in 2025, and we look forward to gathering the drone ecosystem together for years to come and continue advancing commercial UAS together.
Lee Corkhill Group Event Director
Jeremiah Karpowicz Group Editorial Director
SHOW FACTS & FIGURES
The Commercial UAV Expo is an unmatched event for professionals in the drone industry. This year’s live flight demonstrations were incredible, showcasing the latest technology in real-world applications. The event continues to be a crucial platform for networking, learning, and discovering new business opportunities. I’m grateful for the chance to share insights and connect with innovators who are shaping the future of UAS. The Expo truly sets the standard for advancing drone integration across industries.”
− Paul Rossi, Nine Ten Drones
Attendee Stats
SATISFACTION
92%
say attending Commercial UAV Expo is important to their business
TOP REASONS TO ATTEND
To see new products and innovations
To network among the industry
95%
were satisfied with the event overall
96% met their objectives for attending
ATTENDEE PURCHASING AUTHORITY
are involved in or influence the purchasing decisions 82%
say they will purchase from exhibitors as a direct result of attending Commercial UAV Expo 78%
To gain new insights at the conference
To keep up to date with market trends
To identify new opportunities / markets
This is an excellent place to know about the future of our business, if we want to be better we have to attend this expo.
– Luis Ramirez, NCAD
SHOW FACTS & FIGURES
Attendee Stats
2025 INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN
Other industries include: Aerospace; Automotive; Aviation; Communications; Education; Environment; Government; Manufacturing; News; Services; Security; Transportation Percentages reflect attendees' selections of multiple industries during registration.
SAMPLE JOB TITLES
Aerial Asset Program Manager
Agronomy Specialist
Aviation Safety Manager
Bridge Inspector
Buyer
Chief Engineer/Director of mapping
Chief Geologist
Chief of Parties
Civil Field Specialist
Commercial UAV Market Development
Manager
Crime Scene Technician
Crop Science Program Manager
Director, Aviation and Logistics Policy
Director, Mobility Infrastructure
Director, National Disaster Recovery
Distributor
Drone Pilot
Ecological Management Supervisor
Economic Development
Field Applications Development Manager
Field Operations Manager
Flight Ops/Aviation Safety Manager
Forensic Operations Specialist
Geologist
Geospatial Technician
Hydrogeologist
Land Surveyor
Lidar/UAV Specialist
Logistics Management Officer
Manager of Surveying
Mine Planning Superintendent
National Fleet Specialist
Natural Resource Conservationist
OEM Manager
PhD Researcher Aerospace Engineering
Principal Investment Manager
Program Director for Multimodal
Transportation
Remote Sensing and UAS Program Mgr
Revit/CAD Development Manager
Robotics & Technology Manager
Senior Cave Engineer
Senior Manager UAS Operations
UAV Category Manager - Buyer
UAV Pilot / GIS Specialist / Civil Designer
In 2024, more than 3,320 industry professionals attended from 54 countries.
Exhibitor Stats
SATISFACTION
Companies exhibited at Commercial UAV Expo
expect to generate a positive ROI as a direct result of exhibiting at Commercial UAV Expo
87%
say exhibiting at Commercial UAV Expo is important for their business
97% met their exhibiting objectives
97% were happy with the quality of attendees at their booth 94%
Commercial UAV was a great place for business to connect and form partnerships. It was was a one stop shop that helped us accomplish our goals.”
– Victor Meza, Northern Plains UAS Test Sites
84% of exhibitors plan to exhibit again
The commercial UAV Expo is an excellent event for keeping up with new trends and generating brand awareness within the drone niche.
– Lucia Facchin, CodigoDelSur
SHOW FACTS & FIGURES
2024 Exhibitors
Account Name
3Dflow s.r.l.
A2Z Drone Delivery, LLC
ACSL Ltd.
Aerial Precision B.V.
Aerial Services, Inc
Aerialoop
Aero Systems West
AGA Holding Company Limited
AIR6 SYSTEMS GmbH
Airborne Public Safety Association
AirData UAV, Inc
Airspace Link
AirWise Solutions
Amprius Technologies
ANELLO Photonics
Angel Aerial Systems
Anhui Lanyu Intelligent Technology Co.
ANRA Technologies
arcsky
ASSETTA
Attis Aviation
Aurelia Aerospace
Austin Else, LLC.
Autonomous Media
AVSS
BAAM.Tech
Baldwin Aviation, Inc.
Balko Tech
Bavovna AI
Beyless
Blue Marble Geographics
Blue Nose Aerial Imaging
Blue Skies Drone Rental, LLC
Boxo Ukraine
BRINC
Buzz Solutions
C-ASTRAL D.O.O.
Calian
Canadian UAVs
Carahsoft
Carlson Software
Centinus
CITY OF DENTON
CodigoDelSur
Colorado Drone Chargers
Commaris (Flogistix)
CopterPIX Ltd.
Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation
CSC Leasing Company
CubePilot
DAT/EM Systems International
DelMar Aerospace Corporation
DeTect Inc.
DJI Creative Studio, LLC
Dolunts LLC
Domo Tactical Communications
Drone Amplified, Inc
Drone Nerds Inc
Drones Plus Robotics
DroneTalks - M&K Global DroneTV
Dual RC
East West Source, Inc.
Elistair
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emlid Tech Kft.
Emyrgen Group Inc.
EuroUSC Italia
Event 38 Unmanned Systems
Exertis Almo
FarmFleet
Federal Aviation Administration
Flowdron
Flyability SA
FlyGuys, Inc.
Flying Lion, Inc.
FlytBase
Freefly Systems
FREEUA
Frontier Precision
Fullerton College
Futurology LLC
GENIUS NY
GeoCue Group (plus LP360)
GEODNET
GEOTECH Bratislava s.r.o.
GKN Additive
GoAero Prize LLC
Greene Rubber Company
GreenValley International
Grepow Inc.
Guangdong Hangyu
Composite Material Technology Company,Ltd.
Guinn Partners
Harris Aerial
Henriott Group
Heven Drones
Hextronics, LLC.
HITEC Commercial Solutions
HOBBYWING
HYSKY Society
Inspired Flight Technologies LLC
Intelligent Energy Intertek
Japan Drone / JUIDA
JIANGXI MAD MOTOR COMPONENTS CO.,LTD
Jiangxi Zhenghui New Energy Co.,ltd
Kara Dag Technologies
KIAST Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology
Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency
Leica Geosystems Inc.
Liberty Source PBC
LIDARUSA
Mag Specialties Inc.
Manta Air
Messe Dusseldorf
North America
Mitsubishi Anymile
Modri planet d.o.o.
Motorola Solutions
Multicopter Warehouse
Nanomotion LTD
NARMA Inc.
National Power Corporation
Nearthlab
NES&TEC
Nevada National Security Site
Nippon Kayaku America
NitPro Composites
Northern Plains UAS Test Site
NUAIR
NV5 Geospatial
NW Rapid Mfg
Ofil Ltd.
Oregon UAS Accelerator
Orthodrone GmbH
Osmose Holdings Inc.
PABLO AIR
Para-Coat Technologies Inc.
Parallel Domain
ParaZero Technologies Ltd.
Pendleton UAS Test Range
Phase One
Phoenix LiDAR Systems
Pilot Institute
Pix4D SA
Point One Navigation
Preneu Co., Ltd.
Propeller Aero
Purple Platypus
RADIO BIRD Sp. z o.o.
Red Cat Holdings
rgblab
RIEGL USA Inc.
RIIS LLC
Robotic Skies
San Diego State University
Scopito
SeeSaw D&U
Seiler Instrument
Seiler Instrument
Sense Aeronautics SL
Sharper Shape Inc.
Shenzhen Vigorpower Battery Co. ,Ltd
Silvus Technologies Inc.
SIMACTIVE INC.
SITECH Louisiana
Sixdof Space
Skydio
Skyfleet Solutions LLP
Skyfront Corp.
Skyline Software Systems, Inc.
Soaring
Sonoran Desert Institute
SONY
Specialty Coating Systems
SPECIM Spectral Imaging Ltd.
Stitch3D
Sundance Media Group
Sunhillo Corporation
SwellPro Technology LTD
Swift Engineering
SwissDrones
SYNEREX Inc.
Taisync Technology
Teal Drones (Red Cat)
Teledyne FLIR
Terrasolid Ltd
Texas A&M University
The Droning Company
Theta Informatics
Titan Batteries
TREKK Design Group
Trimble Applanix
TTP Plc
TUALCOM
UAV Coach
UAV-DEV GmbH
UAVIONIX Corporation
Unitree Robotics
University Of Maryland
University of North Dakota
University of North Texas
Unmanned Safety Institute
Upgrade Energy
UVify, Inc.
Vertiq
VideoShip
Virtual Surveyor nv
ViVUM
Volatus Aerospace Corp.
Voliro
Warren County Community College
Wingtra
World UAV Federation
Wuhan Sriz Technology Co., Ltd
Xer Technologies AG
xyHt Magazine
YellowScan
Zephyr Drone Simulator
EVENT NEWS COVERAGE
The Expo provides a great opportunity for drone industry practitioners to network, and to obtain information directly from vendors, experts, and regulators.”
– Ken Bouvier, UAV Coach
DAY 1 RECAP
Commercial UAV Expo 2024 now in its tenth year got off to an early start with the Outdoor Flying Demonstrations and workshops. The rest of the rest first day flew by with additional workshops and the Exhibitor Showcase presenting 20 unique products that could be found on the exhibit hall floor. Commercial UAV Expo thought business leaders, technological innovators, pilots, regulators, advocates, and others to Las Vegas, where they check out the latest drones, payloads, software, and systems, learn from industry experts, make invaluable business contacts, network, and share ideas.
DAY 2 RECAP
Day two of Commercial UAV Expo, featured compelling keynote presentations, important updates from federal regulators, the annual Pitch the Press competition, and much more. The show floor was a busy place, with drone industry professionals from around the world stopping by booths to see the latest tech, checking out sessions in the Exhibit Hall Theater, and meeting up with friends old and new at the Level Up Lounge and the Drone Pilot Hub.
DAY 3 RECAP
Day three of Commercial UAV Expo officially came to a close, but the impact of the event will resonate with attendees for months to come. The keynote presentations, educational sessions, technological showcases, and countless formal and informal conversations around the hall will provide insights and encouragement to the thousands of industry professionals who participated in this year’s tenth-anniversary event.
EVENT NEWS COVERAGE
INNOVATION AT COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO 2024
For the ninth consecutive year, we made the pilgrimage from Miami, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend our favorite event of the year: Commercial UAV Expo. As usual, our goal was to look for innovation, but this year we were more interested in novel business models than technological improvements.
The reason is simple. Technologically speaking, the uncrewed aviation industry has reached a certain plateau, which is turning the aircraft into a commodity and not a differentiator. There are still some minor advances in battery technology and useful payload worth mentioning, but the real winners this year were the ones aiming at becoming profitable in the pre-BVLOS era, as opposed to waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to come up with their much-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which the federal agency announced will be published before the end of the year.
Two companies in particular caught our attention, Flying Lion and Nokia, which in April announced that they had signed a strategic partnership to enhance the Dronesas-a-Service sector, focusing on public safety and various
industries across North America and bringing their solution to the Nevadan desert.
During the event, we had the opportunity to attend a private remote demo of their combined capabilities, and the results were impressive, to say the least.
Barry Brennan, CEO of Flying Lion and Mayank Bhatia, Global Head of Sales – Devices for Nokia, were our hosts, and they masterfully guided us through the different screens showing the various aspects of a flight taking place over 80 miles away in the Nevada desert.
“What you are looking here today is a live demonstration of the capabilities of our uncrewed platform combined with the strength and reliability of Nokia’s communication technology in some of the most inhospitable flying conditions possible,” Barry said.
“We’re confident that this collaboration aims to leverage Nokia’s comprehensive Drone Networks to expand 5G-connected uncrewed operations, including beyond visual line of sight capabilities in the North American
market,” said Mayank. “We expect this partnership to boost efficiency and reduce costs, significantly benefiting the market in general and our customers in particular.”
With a temperature of 105o F and winds of three to eight knots, the conditions were brutal for any aircraft, but in this case, we were looking at a remote flight conducted from a Las Vegas hotel to a sophisticated and air-conditioned drone-in-a-box device placed in a remote mining post 80 miles away.
“The reason why we are using this abandoned small city in the middle of nowhere is to replicate the conditions that law enforcement will face when confronted with an emergency,” Barry said, “With Nokia’s sophisticated drone-in-a-box and communications capabilities and our drone designed with first responders in mind, we have streamlined the process of responding to emergencies.”
The demo consisted in replicating a call that required the drone to take off from an air-conditioned box placed in a remote location to simulate a functioning metropolis in which law enforcement will be faced with the typical obstacles and challenges of any city. The drone took off very fast and, in no time, we had a clear view of the houses and the intended target.
“We can select from a variety of sensors, including traditional imagery and thermal to facilitate night searches,” Barry emphasized. “This creates a new business model of drones-as-a-service that would benefit first responders by providing them with a solution made in the USA in association with a reputable Finnish company such as Nokia.”
Nokia’s turnkey Drone-in-a-box solution is the first FCCcertified 5G-connected drone and the Flying Lion – Nokia solution partnership is a remarkable package that solves multiple issues which law enforcement and other industries face when selecting an uncrewed aviation platform that is required to solve more than one problem at a time.
“Nokia is focused on Public Safety, & Emergency Services, Energy and Utility, Oil & Gas, Mining, Infrastructure and Transport to list a few Industry sectors,” Mayank said, “Nokia just partnered with Swisscom Broadcast to deploy a nationwide Drones-as-a-Service network across Switzerland. 300 Nokia Drone-in-a-Box units are planned for deployment to enable emergency response, perimeter protection and infrastructure inspection, which will help keep public safety workers safe.”
These are all welcome news in the USA as we balance the need for more uncrewed aviation in law enforcement and first responders, with the limitations to use certain platforms in organizations that benefit from federal funding. We expect more European companies to seize the opportunity to supply the American market with public safety solutions and we look forward to more competition and better prices.
After President Biden signed the FAA reauthorization Act of 2024 on May 16 of this year, the FAA was given four months to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for its regulation of uncrewed flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the operator in what is known unofficially as Part 108.
This 120-day period will expire in just two weeks (September 16), and therefore everyone at Commercial UAV Expo this year was anxious to hear from the FAA directly how things are progressing with said NPRM.
Three sessions took place at the event that were entirely focused on policy updates.
Interview with the FAA’s Tim Arel, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO)
ATO is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and secure air traffic services for approximately 50,000 aircraft operating every day over nearly 30 million square miles across the National Airspace System (NAS). Lisa Ellman, Executive
Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, conducted the interview.
“What we are trying to do is to turn all these segregated conversations around an industry into a coherent dialogue that brings everyone together,” Arel said.
Given the organization’s responsibility over the operationalization of airspace modernization initiatives and the integration of unmanned aircraft systems and commercial space operations into the NAS, Arel is a key component of what the FAA has in store in terms of what is called NEXTGEN.
“NEXTGEN is an ambitious plan, which has been thrusted into the limelight by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act by the need to bring all these new technologies into the fold of one unified aviation community,” Arel stated.
An FAA plan, known as Radar Data Pilot Program, aims at opening aviation radar data to the public in an effort to contribute to the safe integration of uncrewed platforms.
“By opening this data to the different entities engaged in the creation of platforms to increase safety, we enable the operational effectiveness of valuable information that is funded by taxpayers and that will certainly increase the levels of safety in the NAS,” said Arel. “Our challenge is to make sure that this data does not fall into the wrong hands and that too much detail about certain aircraft and certain flights is used for the wrong purposes.”
Drone Policy Update
Tim Arel, Jeffrey Vincent, Executive Director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, Brandon Roberts, Executive Director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Rulemaking of the FAA and Bailey Edwards of Wing participated in a panel moderated by Lisa Ellman which gave the audience a comprehensive brief about the current state of the UAS regulation.
“We have spent most of the year focused on the development of the NPRM for Part 108,” Vincent said. “There are lots of automations systems that need to work together to make this integration feasible and we have a panel of experts working full time in the wording of the proposal, so we can publish and receive comments from the public.”
“Hundreds if not thousands of waivers and exceptions have been issued in an effort to provide a clearer picture of how the system looks when we deploy at an operational scale,” Roberts asserted. “We are hopeful the NPRM will be published before the end of the year, and we hope we receive many, many comments. I can assure you that we read them all and sometimes they help shape policy.”
Part 108 Update
The third session of the day focused on aviation policy wrapped up a triad of briefings in which issues such as operational safety, certification, and future regulations were addressed extensively.
Brandon Roberts, Derek Hufty, Rachel Carlstrom, Joe Morra, and Jarret Larrow of the FAA discussed the challenges and opportunities that the new Part 108 regulation will bring to the industry.
“Current certification process for traditional aircraft is not something that would be feasible for small uncrewed aircraft,” Brandon said. “We are looking at ways to streamline and adapt the aircraft certification guidelines
to better suit drones without compromising safety and reliability.”
The need for strong collaboration between the FAA and industry was highlighted by all panelists and it was particularly stressed by Mr. Roberts who said, “We need to see what happens when things go wrong, but also what happens when things go right.”
In short, these three sessions gave attendees to Commercial UAV Expo 2024 a clear idea of what is coming down the pipe from the FAA with emphasis on a NPRM for Part 108 by the end of the year and the beginning of a long process in which the federal agency expect the drone industry to comment and help shape the future of BVLOS operations in the NAS.
PRESS COVERAGE & SOCIAL MEDIA
One-stop shop for all things UAV. Engaging breakaways and conference talks. Really engaged audience. Well-managed and planned from talks to exhibit floor.”
– Alan Brown, EmbeddedTS
ACCELERATING COMMERCIAL VIABILITY AND MARKET DEMAND: A PANEL DISCUSSION AT COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO
CALL FOR UNITY AND LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS AT COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO KEYNOTE
COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO 2024 KEY TAKEAWAYS
ON THE RIAS AT THE COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO
Being the ‘UAV Expert’ in my company, it is my duty to stay up to date with market trends in hardware and software and ways other companies are using UAVs. This conference definitely helped me achieve that, and I am bringing back valuable information that will make me better positioned to do my job.”
– Nathan Dyck, Graham Construction
For the past decade, Commercial UAV Expo has been the place to find commercial drone innovations and strategies that allow operators and organizations of all types to move forward with the technology. This year, the conference program will delve even deeper into the tangible impact of effective drone applications.
The 2024 conference program will focus on practical, real-world use cases that drive efficiency, safety, and effectiveness. The transformative role of UAS technology will be highlighted across the entire program but will particularly emphasize strategies for building successful drone programs in:
CONSTRUCTION
DRONE PILOTS
ENERGY & UTILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE
POLICY SURVEYING
These industry tracks will outline what it means to sort out challenges related to adoption while also showcasing where and how drones are creating value today. These content tracks represent two days of dedicated education that will provide attendees with essential information that enables them to take their next step with the technology.
Attendees can also expect to hear about cross-industry and broader themes such as FAA regulation for BVLOS operations, data management, AI strategies, battery range, and more as presenters will explore the current landscape and uncover the opportunities and challenges ahead. The conference program will provide valuable insights at all levels – from new learners to experienced professionals.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 9:00 AM PST
The State of the Drone Industry: Will Better Collaboration Unlock the Full Potential of Drones?
The commercial drone industry has seen some positive advancements over the past year and has much to celebrate. Commercial Drone Alliance founders and industry veterans Lisa Ellman and Gretchen West will kick off the Commercial UAV Expo 2024 reviewing the successes over the past year but also highlighting areas where challenges still exist. They will provide an overview of conference content that will help address these challenges and where you can get involved. To unlock the full potential of drones and develop strong market demand, the commercial drone industry needs to take collective action. Lisa and Gretchen will share their insights and provide a call to action to our community to get engaged.
Outlining the Future of the Airspace with the FAA
As the airspace continues to evolve, technology that allows drones to more easily take to the sky is similarly advancing, creating opportunities and challenges when it comes to uniting drones with traditional aviation ecosystems. The FAA is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient and secure air traffic services for approximately 50,000 crewed aircraft operating every day across the National Airspace System (NAS), so how is FAA leadership thinking about this unification? Listen in for a candid conversation with a top FAA official to discuss how they’re approaching the operationalization of the airspace as well as integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the NAS. Attendees will better understand what access to the airspace for drones looks like today, tomorrow and in the future.
Accelerating Commercial Viability
and Market Demand
The commercial drone industry is on its way to having defined and published rules and regulations, and once in place, we will have collectively overcome a major hurdle to scaling drone operations. But what additional challenges need to be addressed to guarantee a path to real economic growth and commercial viability? How do we continue to grow market demand to witness the true scaling of this exciting industry? This panel of industry veterans and experts will offer insights on where firms should focus NOW to create greater market demand, and what considerations should be top of mind to ensure your success. Looking at topics through the different lenses of aviation, technology, and financial capital, panelists will explore where market demand truly is today, ask do we really know what our customers want and how do we make a business case for investment, address supply chain issues, competition, standardization and much more. Our industry must work together to drive solutions to accelerate commercial viability and market demand. The lessons learned from this panel will be sure to start many discussions during the Commercial UAV Expo 2024 and leave you with ideas to share with your fellow industry peers.
Lisa Ellman Commercial Drone Alliance Gretchen West Commercial Drone Alliance
Moderated by:
Lisa Ellman Commercial Drone Alliance
Moderated by:
Gretchen West Commercial Drone Alliance
Featuring:
Eric Brock Ondas Autonomous Systems
Jon Damush uAvionix Corporation
Erik Mintz Mitsubishi Electric
Ken Stewart NUAIR
Featuring:
Tim Arel FAA
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
Thursday, September 5, 2024 | 9:00 AM
Outlining the Future of Drone Regulations with the FAA
What’s now and what’s next with commercial drone regulation is top of mind for operators and organizations across the entire drone industry and the FAA has those answers. How are drones factoring into considerations when it comes to how the FAA is setting, overseeing and enforcing safety standards for all aspects of the aviation industry? How could these changes have a direct impact on domestic and international civil aviation safety? Lisa Ellman from the Commercial Drone Alliance will explore all of these questions and more as part of a candid conversation with Jodi Baker, Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety of the FAA to help stakeholders move forward with commercial drone operations in the short and long term.
The Secret to Success for Public & Enterprise Drone Programs: Intentional Implementation for Scalable Adoption
The value that drones can unlock for large organizations when it comes to performing tasks in faster, cheaper and safer ways have been well documented, but that understanding often is not enough to translate to adoption. How will adding drones impact established processes? If the number of boots on the ground are reduced, how can those same assets be redeployed in a more effective manner? What does it mean to calculate how a sizable investment in the technology today will make sense tomorrow?
Listen to the answers that Chief Operating Officer of Houston Public Works Randy Macchi and Josh Fredriksson from Pacific Gas & Electric has to all of these questions and more. They’ll explore the approach city services and large enterprises need to take when it comes to rethinking workflows, reskilling the workforce and future-proofing investments in the technology. Attendees will come away from this conversation with the insights they need to develop a strategic plan for their drone program, regardless of the current size or use.
Randy Macchi Houston Public Works
Josh Fredriksson Pacific Gas & Electric
Lisa Ellman Commercial Drone Alliance
Jodi Baker FAA
SPECIAL ONSITE EVENTS & SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
It’s one of the top events for professionals in this space, where you can explore cutting-edge technology, meet industry leaders, and see real-world applications of UAVs across various sectors like construction, energy, public safety, and agriculture. The expo offers a great mix of exhibitions, workshops, and networking opportunities to help you stay ahead of industry trends.”
–
Guy Rabet, Rzeidrones Limited
Outdoor Flying Demos
LEADING DRONE COMPANIES SHOW OFF CAPABILITIES AT COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO OUTDOOR FLYING DEMO
Every year, the Commercial UAV Expo kicks off with one of its most unique and exciting events with their Outdoor Flying Demo. Hundreds of attendees gathered at Cornerstone Park in Henderson, Nevada for a chance to see a handful of exhibitors show off their UAVs’ capabilities live and in-person. This year, once again Sundance Media Group helped organize and support the event and Frontier Precision was the primary sponsor, making it possible for the event to be put together.
Frontier Precision, who can be found at booth 501 on the conference floor, is an employee-owned company with over 35 years of experience serving survey, mapping, engineering, construction, GIS, drones/UAS, forensics, law enforcement, forestry, water resources, mosquito & vector control, and natural resources professionals throughout the western United States. Frontier Precision Unmanned is a part of that business, focused of course on drones as well as other uncrewed vehicles.
Along with their sponsorship of the event, Frontier Precision took part in two separate demonstrations to show the various hardware they provide to their customers. Up first, they showcased Quantum System’s Trinity Pro eVTOL drone complete with a Phase One (booth 809) payload. Later in the morning, attendees were able to see Freefly Systems’ (booth 403) Alta X with YellowScan’s (booth 1131) new bathymetric lidar scanner, the Navigator, for a payload.
During the event, Commercial UAV News spoke with Frontier Precision’s President and CEO Dennis Kemmesat. He said the company wanted to sponsor this event, noting, “It’s always a great crowd, and it gives us the best opportunity to get in front of a large number of people and show the various platforms we have and the diversity of the platforms.”
In addition to Frontier Precision’s demonstrations, six other companies showed off their UAVs for the crowd. Aerialoop (booth 827) was up first, showing off their delivery UAV, the
SPECIAL ONSITE EVENTS & SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
ALT6-50 D. The company uses their drones for both delivery and surveillance. For the former, they described themselves as “middle mile” delivery, connecting two sections of a city before a truck can complete the last mile delivery. Aerialoop delivers everything from food to parcels to medical supplies, and attendees were able to see both this drone in action as well as a video feed of deliveries in Ecuador, where the company is headquartered.
Inspired Flight (817) then took their turn, flying their IF800 quadcopter drone. Attendees saw footage from a variety of sensors, with the hot-swapping payload feature of the dovetail mount to the Sony ILX-LR1 sensor. On top of the live footage, Inspired Flight demonstrated new features in their software, Inspired Ground Control, which included improved mission planning capabilities and other user experience-focused improvements.
Later, GeoCue (booth 417) showed off their TrueView LiDAR capabilities in forensic car crash investigations. Using a mock accident scene, they were able to showcase how their systems can fly through and capture key data for photogrammetric and 3D point cloud analysis. While the drone was flying overhead, they also demonstrated on the ground their new TrueView GO, a handheld mobile scanner with SLAM and GNSS capabilities. All attendees are able to check out the combined data at the GeoCue booth back at the Caesar’s Forum.
After a brief intermission, Xer Technologies (1232) brought the demonstration back together to show their X8 heavy duty drone. With a hybrid engine, the X8 is capable of long flights – up to two-and-a-half hours with a three kilogram payload. Despite its large stature compared to other drones, its foldable arms allow for easy transportation as demonstrated on-site. The X8, attendees learned, is used for everything from powerline inspections to search & rescue and surveying and mapping.
Multicopter Warehouse (booth 753)had the penultimate demonstration, sharing their time with representatives from Phoenix Lidar. Multicopter Warehouse, which provides drones from a number of manufacturers, brought the DJI Matrice 350, which boasted Phoenix Lidar’s Recon XT for a payload. Together, the duo showed how they can provide full end-to-end knowledge and workflow, including with Phoenix Lidar’s software for post-processing, analysis, and sharing, along with Multicopter Warehouse’s expertise across platforms.
Finally, the event was closed out with the Wingtra (booth 947) One Gen II, a fixed-wing VTOL drone, used primarily for surveying and mapping. For this demonstration,
attendees had the opportunity to see how quickly users can get to work at a job site. Wingtra started with the UAV in its closed case, and demonstrated live the entire process of putting things together through the launch, all in the matter of just a few minutes. Wingtra also showed their manual landing capabilities for situations when the take-off area is no longer accessible after a mission.
Overall, the Outdoor Flying Demos were once again a phenomenal opportunity to see first-hand how these drones operate and the many functions they can perform, serving as a perfect way to open this event.
“This show has been really great to us since we started here, and we wanted to increase our presence here,” said Kemmesat. “We’re always happy to support it and do whatever we can to help it be successful.”
BAVOVNA AI, SUNHILLO, AND SIXDOF SPACE WIN COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO’S “PITCH THE PRESS” FOR 2024
From software to sensors to drones and beyond, the Commercial UAV Exhibit Hall floor is overflowing with the latest products and systems. But what are the most innovative products on display? What are the most valuable tools for real-world operations? What products and services are best suited to succeed in today’s uncrewed marketplace?
Each year, Commercial UAV Expo’s “Pitch the Press” session attempts to answer those questions. During the event, representatives from established companies and start-ups alike “pitch” their products to a group of industry journalists looking for the most unique new technology being showcased at Commercial UAV Expo. Each company has two minutes to make the case for their product, and the judges then convene to select three winners.
For 2024, 16 exhibitors were selected from a large pool of applicants to share their new product or service during the one-hour event. Richard Thomas from Inside Unmanned Systems, Patrick Sherman of Roswell Flight Test Crew, and Commercial UAV News Editorial Analyst Scott Howe
debated the pros and cons of each presentation to choose the winners.
Given the quality of the entrants, this year’s judges had a difficult time selecting the three winners, but they ultimately settled on the offerings from Bavovna AI, Sixdof Space, and Sunhillo Corporation.
Here’s a look at the winners:
Bavovna AI: Ukraine-based Bavonva presented its inertial navigation system. Designed for use with unmanned vehicles in GPS-denied and electronic warfare environments, the system combines modular hardware and AI SaaS for aerial, surface, and subsurface platforms. Judge Patrick Sherman praised Bavovna for its ability to develop a highquality low-cost while working in a challenging environment. “They are literally operating in an environment where their lives are on the line, and they have created an effective system using simple, off-the-shelf technology.” Sherman said.
Pitch the Press
Sixdof Space: Addressing the problems involved in landing a drone in the precise, desired spot, Sixdof Space developed a unique optical tracking system. When integrated with a drone, this sensor provides centimeter-level accuracy, works in all lighting conditions, including GPS-denied environments, and ensures accurate positioning. In selected Sixdof Space’s presentation, Richard Thomas said, “The last 100 meters is a significant problem in landing a drone. This seems like a simple, clean solution that can be applied by first responders or anyone else in the field.”
Sunhillo Corporation: Suntillo’s monitoring system seeks to address “clutter” in airspace data and help UAV operators. Judge Richard Thomas was impressed by the way this product addressed a real and pressing need in the drone world and the larger world of aviation. “This brings FAAlevel data to the commercial market,” said Richard Thomas about Sunhillo’s presentation. “To have advanced air mobility, we need to de-clutter airspace data.”
Here’s a complete look at the participants in this year’s Pitch the Press:
• A2Z Drone Delivery
• AIR6 SYSTEMS | AIRBORNE ROBOTICS
• Attis Aviation
• AVSS - Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc.
• Bavovna AI
• CopterPIX Ltd
• Drone Amplified
• FREEUA
• Gotonomi
• LIDARETTO - Geotech Bratislava, s.r.o.
• RIEGL USA
• Sharper Shape
• Sixdof Space
• Sunhillo Corporation
• TTP plc
• Vivum AI
LEVEL UP LOUNGE In partnership with
In 2024 Commercial UAV Expo is partnering with Global Air U to co-host the Level Up Lounge, an innovative space dedicated to personal, professional, and brand development. With the mission to empower UAV professionals with the best resources, tools, and insights to take their brands to the next level!
Talk about a fire hydrant! Get ready to learn, and take an extra person or three to cover ground during the presentations throughout the day.”
- Garrett Cunningham Cadence Aerial
One-stop shop for all things UAV. Engaging breakaways and conference talks. Really engaged audience. Well-managed and planned from talks to exhibit floor.”
- Alan Brown embeddedTS
This is an excellent place to know about the future of our business, if we want to be better we have to attend this type of expo’s”
- Luis Ramirez NCAD
229 CONSULTATIONS
F EATURED PILO T HUB SESSION S
The Pilot Hub at Commercial UAV Expo offers a unique opportunity to tap into the wealth of knowledge and expertise fostered by industry experts. Current and future drone pilots will have dedicated content on the Exhibit Hall Floor.
Outstanding and well produced event. Venue location, proximity to accommodations, and quality of exhibitors make this a must stop for the UAV industry. We look forward to returning next year. Bravo!”
– Kevin Bruns, SKYHAUL Aerospace & Marine
One of the best networking experience for this industry, with big and small companies helping to assist each other grow.”
– Christopher Archibald, Fowado Technology Group, LLC
UAV expo was definitely a great event to connect and collaborate with industry professionals. The environment was very welcoming, and I left feeling inspired and excited about the future of our industry.
– Recie Robertson, ONE 5 Consulting
As a drone service provider and first time attendee I was both overwhelmed and inspired by the different applications and innovative solutions in the industry. It was great to meet like minded individuals and industry experts that share the same passion for drone technology and applications as I do.”
– David Jones, J5 Sky Vision Solutions, LLC
SOCIAL IMPACT
The Commercial UAV Expo event was eye opening to me. It showed me how many different solutions and drones were in the market, as well as the ecosystem that is out there. Seeing other representatives from other countries really brought drones out and made it feel like a world class community, not just a local community.”
– Adrian Pueyo, Apollo Drone Services LLC
Social Responsibility
Commercial UAV Expo is accountable and committed to contributing to the well-being of communities and society through environmental and social measures.
Sustainability Pledge
As a leader in the global expositions and conference industry, Diversified Communications, the organizer of Commercial UAV Expo, recognizes its responsibility to understand and prioritize actions to reduce the carbon impact of the events it produces. Learn what we are doing at Commercial UAV Expo this year, and what you can do to help.
UAV Empower
UAV Empower is part of Diversified Communications’ Diversity, Equity + Inclusion efforts to drive discussions and actively advance the principles of racial equality, social justice, and inclusion. Through these efforts, we aim to influence and encourage an ecosystem for the open exchange of ideas and the ongoing pursuit of best practices. Learn more about Commercial UAV Expo’s DEI initiative and how we can support your efforts in this area.
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Commercial UAV Expo was supported by 300+
publications, portals, associations, user groups, analysts, cooperating events, and government agencies, covering 6 continents
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Publications
Portals
Analysts & Government
Associations & User Groups
Special Promotional Support
Cooperating Events
ADVISORY BOARD
Ted Kalnas Los Angeles City Fire Department
Thomas Haun Turner Staffing Group
Kat James Four Hundred Feet
Grant Jordan SkySafe
Cynthia Huang ACSL, Inc.
Dallas Brooks Wing
Lisa Ellman Commercial Drone Alliance
Dyan Gibbens Trumbull
Kara Fragola Skanska USA Civil
Keaton Denzer Bechtel
James Grimsley Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Brendan Groves Skydio
Ashley Hanson John Deere Aviation
Shayne Gill AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)
