InterDrone 2019

Sessions Speakers Exhibitors Products Press Releases Floor Plan Buzz

Can Drones Save the World? Doing Drones For Good Right (Room Brasilia)

04 Sep 19
5:05 PM - 5:25 PM

Tracks: Agriculture, Business, Cinema and Photo, Construction, Development and Hardware, Emergency and SAR, Energy, Fire, Infrastructure, Inspection, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Surveying and Mapping

Speaker(s): Faine Greenwood
In the aid and disaster response world, drones have gone from out-there to expected in just a few short years: they're being used to map refugee camps in Bangladesh, document the extent of hurricane damage in the Southeastern US, predict flood patterns in Tanzania, and deliver vaccines in Rwanda. Drone technology has made it easier and cheaper than ever for often underfunded and over-stressed aid organizations to make maps, shoot video, and gain situational awareness in chaotic conditions. However, we're only just beginning to understand the potential dangers that accompany using drones in disaster: are we prepared for what happens if bad actors use our drone data to target and hurt people, or if the people we want to help believe that our drones are violating their privacy?  As we realize the potential of drones to help people around the world, we also need to ensure we're not inadvertently making things worse - or hurting people - in the process. In this keynote, I'll discuss the unexpected and inspiring ways that people are using drones and drone data for good around the world. I'll also highlight the big ethical and operational debates around drones-for-good today, and ways in which the drone industry as a whole can make a meaningful impact - improving both the public reputation of our technology, while using our expertise to make the world a better, safer place.