Drone Radio Show

Dr. Onur Bilgen is Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Rutgers University. Dr. Bilgen conducts research in the design of advanced drone systems, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, hybrid drone systems, and bioinspired ornithopters — flapping wing drones modeled after the flight of birds and insects. His work also explores the use of smart materials and innovative aerospace system designs. Onur has led NASA University Student Research Challenge projects, including the development of a Multi-Mode Hybrid Unmanned Delivery System. He also teaches a graduate course at Rutgers called Drones: Fundamentals and Applications and has helped expand drone education and testing capabilities through initiatives like the Rutgers Drone Playground and the Buehler Drone Lab's VICON Motion Tracking System. In this episode, we'll talk about the future of flapping wing drones, the role of smart materials in next-generation aircraft design, and how bioinspired engineering could influence the next wave of unmanned aviation innovation.

Brett Kanda is Director of Drone as First Responder Sales at Flock Safety. Flock Safety is a leading safety technology platform that helps communities thrive by taking a proactive approach to crime prevention and public security. Flock's end-to-end suite of hardware and software connects cities, law enforcement agencies, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods into a nationwide public-private safety network. Today, Flock is trusted by over 5,000 communities, 4,500 law enforcement agencies, and 1,000 businesses to deliver real-time intelligence—while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, data integrity, and responsible innovation. At Flock, Brett leads the DFR Specialist team, focusing on reducing emergency response times and improving community safety. Before Flock acquired Aerodome, Brett was the company's first employee and served as Senior Vice President of Business Development, where he spearheaded go-to-market efforts for their NextGen DFR platform. With more than a decade of experience in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, Brett has deep expertise in UAS technology, regulatory frameworks, and market strategy. His previous roles include key positions at BRINC, FLIR Systems, and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, where he helped grow drone businesses and expand their customer reach. He also co-founded two drone startups focused on delivering actionable insights through UAS technology. Before entering the drone industry, Brett was a professional golfer and a collegiate standout at UNLV, where he was a two-time Academic All-American and team captain. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Brett shares insights on Flock Safety's innovative Drone as First Responder program and how this cutting-edge technology is helping local law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and fight crime more effectively.

Michael Hill is Program Manager of College Workforce Programs at the Unmanned Safety Institute. The Unmanned Safety Institute or USI is an approved training partner of ASTM International and the International Business Aviation Council. The Institute is dedicated to improving safety in unmanned aviation by applying time-honored aviation safety practices to unmanned aircraft systems. USI accomplishes this mission by developing workforce readiness programs, providing training to UAS crews, and helping flight service providers meet their safety goals. Michael is a certified UAV pilot in three countries with over 6,000 flight hours and more than 7,800 successful, incident-free missions as a Remote Pilot-in-Command. He holds industry and safety certifications from FEMA, OSHA, NIST, and USI. He is a highly sought-after public speaker and industry influencer, passionate about sharing his expertise on UAV technology applications for land, air, and sea operations. He brings a wealth of experience to USI, including aerial mapping, telecom and wind turbine inspections, oil and gas and critical infrastructure assessments, search and rescue operations, as well as involvement with state and federal regulations. An active advocate for the drone industry, he has served as the Policy and Legislative Chairman for the North Central Texas Council of Governments UAS Taskforce and as the Training Officer for the North Texas Public Safety Unmanned Response Team. Additionally, he holds the role of 2nd Lieutenant and the former Director of Unmanned Operations for the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. In this addition of the Drone Radio Show, Michael talks about the Unmanned Safety Institute and how it helps prepare students for viable careers in the drone industry.

Stéphane Timpano is CEO of ASPIRE, the program management and business development arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council located in Abu Dhabi. The ATRC's mission is to build a vibrant research and development ecosystem that supports Abu Dhabi—and the broader UAE—in its transformation into a knowledge-based economy. With nearly 1,300 employees representing over 80 nationalities, the Council is also investing in the next generation of innovators through a wide range of STEM initiatives. ASPIRE drives the Council's programmatic efforts by crowdsourcing top global talent through international competitions and grand challenges. These challenges are designed to tackle real-world problems—everything from global hunger and maritime safety to the future of autonomous mobility—by bringing together experts from academia and industry to co-create cutting-edge solutions. As CEO, Stéphane leads ASPIRE's strategic direction and oversees relationships with key stakeholders and partners. He brings more than 20 years of management consulting experience, including major client engagement in the Telecom and Technology industries at Bain & Company in the entire EMEA region. Before consulting, Stéphane worked in the media industry in Italy, gaining valuable experience at Sky Italia News Corporation and IMS (EMI Group). He holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan, a degree in Political Sciences and a degree in Economics in France. Recently, more than 2,500 people gathered to watch top autonomous drone racers compete for a $1 million prize pool at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Drone Racein Abu Dhabi. And in case you were wondering, MavLab, from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, secured victories in three out of four competitions. They clinched the AI Grand Challenge with their drone completing two laps of the 170-metre course in just 17 seconds. MavLab won the world's first AI-only drag race, demonstrating straight-line speed and precision under intense acceleration. And in a landmark moment, MavLab's autonomous drone defeated three top DCL champion pilots in a head-to-head AI-versus-human showdown. With precision flying, the AI-powered drone edged out its human-piloted rivals in thrilling contests. Equally impressive was TII Racing from the UAE, which triumphed in the multi-drone challenge, showcasing advanced coordination, collision avoidance, and team-based AI strategy. These same decision-making skills are vital in cargo delivery, emergency response, and next-gen aviation, where precision under pressure is non-negotiable. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Stéphane shares insights into ASPIRE's mission, the rise of autonomous racing challenges, and the broader impact these competitions can have across technology, education, and industry.

Lori DeMatteis is Chief Revenue Officer of Matrix Space. MatrixSpace is a leading technology company specializing in advanced radar systems that deliver real-time situational awareness for uncrewed and autonomous systems. Their compact, lightweight radars offer precise detection and tracking, making them ideal for drones, advanced air mobility (AAM), public safety, and critical infrastructure. By integrating cutting-edge radar with AI, MatrixSpace enables safe, efficient operations in complex and dynamic airspace. Lori plays a key role at MatrixSpace, leading sales and go-to-market strategies across various industries and regions. She has a strong track record of driving revenue growth for emerging technologies—taking companies public or guiding them through mergers. Prior to MatrixSpace, she served as Global VP of Customer Success, Sales, and Marketing at Iris Automation, and held leadership positions at GE, Oracle, Emerson, Honeywell, and Lavin Holdings. Her expertise spans hardware, software, and networking. As beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations expand, the demand for scalable, precise detect-and-avoid solutions grows. MatrixSpace's portable radar systems are designed to meet that need. The company recently announced partnerships with AAM provider Skyway and public safety leader Advexure to support airspace awareness and safety. Lori works closely with these and other UAS/AAM partners to help navigate the evolving landscape of airspace management. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Lori talks about MatrixSpace, their radar technology, and how organizations are integrating these tools into their airspace operations.

Kevin Hernandez and Dutch Alessi are from Virtual Reality Rehab, or VRR. Founded in 2009, VRR is a pioneering research and development company with a bold mission: harnessing virtual and augmented reality technologies to push boundaries. With over 20 years of collective experience, their team specializes in creating innovative, multiplatform solutions for unmanned vehicle systems, advanced robotics, and next-level human-machine interfaces. Now, VRR is making waves in drone warfare with a brilliantly simple idea called the HellHive. Picture this: a low-cost, portable shipping box that doesn't just store and transport attack drones—it launches swarms of them, guided by their smart HoloWarrior software. This isn't about building drones but supercharging them with tech like 'BatMode' for stealthy ambushes or scalable swarm assaults, all while keeping costs down. Imagine a cardboard box transforming how militaries deploy overwhelming force! With small Pentagon contracts already secured, VRR is now positioning it's products for the commercial sector Leading the charge is Kevin Hernandez, VRR's Chief Operating Officer. Kevin directs R&D in electrical engineering, overseeing the integration and deployment of unmanned systems. He also spearheads product development, marketing, and sales for VRR's HoloAccesories and Bee drones. Alongside him is Dutch Alessi, Chief Scientist, who collaborates with engineers and partners to unlock new swarm capabilities, driving innovation at every turn. In this episode, Kevin and Dutch talk about VRR's journey, the revolutionary HellHive and HoloWarrior systems, and how they're bridging military prowess with commercial potential.

Bill Irby is the CEO of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. AgEagle is a global technology leader specializing in enhancing situational awareness through advanced robotics solutions. The company focuses on providing autonomous drones designed to tackle mission-critical challenges with high-value solutions. Founded in 2010, AgEagle initially pioneered professional-grade, fixed-wing drones and aerial imagery tailored to the agriculture industry. Over the years, the company has expanded its reach and is now a leading provider of full-stack drone solutions for industries including energy, construction, agriculture, and government sectors worldwide. As CEO, Bill brings a wealth of experience to AgEagle. A United States Naval Academy graduate, Bill has more than 25 years of senior management expertise in uncrewed air and maritime systems, ISR systems, actuation hardware, and communication systems. His career includes serving as Vice President at Northrop Grumman, one of the world's largest defense technology providers, generating $30 billion annually. He also served as President of MTI and Steel Partners Holdings. Additionally, Bill is an active Board member of Ghost Robotics and the Chairman of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Bill discusses AgEagle's evolution and technology, the company's expansion into military and public safety markets and the role of AI and innovation in the Drone Industry.

Arcady Shteynberg and Eddie Benett are with the Omada Group. Omada was formed to take the best, most forward thinking ideas and technology to the public space. A partnership of several companies, Omada brings UAV, technology, rescue, training, consulting, and other innovations into one centralized business hub. The company's goal is to find the right-fit solution to address a company's biggest challenges. Arcady is owner and partner of OMADA Group, where he leads efforts in developing innovative solutions for first responders, particularly in water-based search and rescue operations. His work includes collaborating with agencies to create standards for UAV operators deploying emergency flotation devices. Under his leadership, OMADA Group has also formed strategic partnerships with distributors in the fire, water safety and drone industry, as well as some strategic partnerships with manufacturers like BRINC Drones, to offer comprehensive drone rescue solutions. Eddie is a 30+ year veteran of manned aviation and a former aircrew for Queensland Police in Australia. He is also a leading expert and innovator in the autonomous vehicle industry, who has also served on NASA Working Groups for Air Mobility as a Public Safety Expert. Furthermore, he is the founder and driving force behind Complete AUV. Eddie specializes in creating cutting-edge solutions for manned aviation programs, search and rescue, and commercial applications. In 2018, Two teenage boys swimming off the coast of Australia, struggling to make their way back to shore, were saved by a drone that had dropped a self-inflating rescue pod into the water. This was the first-of-its-kind rescue mission of swimmers by an unmanned aircraft. Advancing the use of emergency flotation devices in drone rescue missions is one of Omada's core objectives. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show Podcast, Arcady and Eddie talk about Omada Group, emergency flotation devices and how this technology can help save lives.