On the RIAS at the Commercial UAV Expo
Conferences such as the Commercial UAV Expo attract students, keep UND at forefront of teaching and research, UND researchers say
Traveling to industry conferences means extra work for members of UND’s Research Institute for Autonomous Systems, but the members don’t mind putting in the effort. It turns out, the conferences offer a lot for institutions teaching and conducting research in the world of uncrewed aircraft systems.
That work was in evidence at the most recent conference, when a group of RIAS instructors, project managers and researchers traveled to Las Vegas, in early September, to the Commercial UAV Expo, now in its 10th year. The expo drew nearly 4,000 people and more than 220 vendors from roughly 75 countries to talk shop about drones.
But the RIAS contingent did more than just talk.
“We need to keep up and stay relevant in the market for either student training or research, and going to events such as the expo do exactly that,” said Dan Myles, lead instructor of UND’s UAS program, adding that he spoke at the conference to several people who are interested in UND’s online aviation master’s degree.
According to Myles, the industry is changing at a rapid pace, which makes expo attendance all the more important. There, members of the UND contingent were able to interact with the people and businesses who manufacture drones, as well as groups that specialize in how the Federal Aviation Administration is handling regulatory issues.
Dozens of breakout sessions and live demonstrations provided expo attendees with a tangible understanding of how drones are transforming traditional workflows, including real-time mapping, surveying, inspection tasks and mobility. Networking sessions allowed for exchanges of ideas with experts and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the UAS industry.
Attendance at this expo and others, including the Xponential conference, an even larger gathering of global leaders in UAS, keep RIAS researchers informed about the latest developments, from engineering to safety. The momentum generated by these conferences also helps with recruiting.
Mathew Cherian, a research scientist with RIAS, said he and other UND attendees find the expo to be a way to not only stay on top of industry changes, but also cement UND’s reputation in the UAS sector. Participation also signals UND’s role in advancing regulatory discussions and preparing graduates to navigate complex airspace management challenges.
“Overall, the expo fosters a connection between academia and industry, reinforcing UND’s mission to produce skilled, forward-thinking UAS professionals,” Cherian said.
Zach Reeder, a project manager for RIAS, said the expo was an excellent opportunity to showcase UND’s educational benefits and promote UAS degrees. It’s also a chance for RIAS to take on new research projects for private companies — and make use of the state’s well-known winter weather.
“Multiple companies need to test their aircraft, and North Dakota’s winter weather certainly provides that challenge to fly in,” Reeder said.
In addition to partnering with other companies for research, some businesses asked UND to use their drones. The exposure they get from being flown at UND introduces the business to a broader market of future operators. The expo also was also a chance for UND attendees to meet with vendors selling the latest, cutting-edge technology that will keep the University at the top of its class.
“This expo was as much about getting our name out to the industry, while also letting us see what the industry is doing and how it’s changing,” Myles said.
