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.

Dylan Hamm is Chief Technology Officer at PDW. PDW is a cutting-edge drone technology company revolutionizing small robotics for military and government operations. Their mission is to democratize air support, empowering and protecting those who serve. PDW produces air vehicles, autonomous and AI software, as well as countermeasures in areas like electronic warfare, communications, and GPS denial. Their flagship product, the C100 small UAS, is a versatile quadcopter designed to fit inside a warfighter’s rucksack, providing personal air support on the frontline.

As the CTO of PDW, Dylan leads he company’s product roadmap and R&D strategy. With 12 years of experience in special forces and eight global deployments, Dylan has witnessed the transformative power of small unmanned systems in real-time combat scenarios. Toward the end of his military career, he saw firsthand how these systems were reshaping modern warfare, fueling his passion for exploring their full potential.

In this episode, Dylan shares insights into PDW’s mission, the ways small drones are changing the battlefield, and the innovative tactics and technologies being developed to counter drone threats.

Juan Plaza is CEO of Plaza Aerospace, a Boca Raton based consulting company specializing in crewed and uncrewed aviation, Latin American Business Development and GIS consulting.  The company helps organizations reach their goals faster by selecting the right platforms and implementing the best deployment practices. Prior to forming Plaza Aerospace in 2015, Juan spent more than 26 years as a Sales Director for companies such as Autodesk and Trimble Navigation, in Latin America where he developed a network of software and hardware distributors willing and eager to represent new products in their respective countries. Juan has more than 750 hours of experience in photogrammetry navigation and camera operation in various and holds a Commercial, Multi-engine Pilot certificate.

December 30, 2023 a helicopter and a drone collided in midair in the vicinity of the Daytona Beach International Airport.  The FAA initially classified the accident as a collision with an object/terrain, but it was only after Juan contacted the FAA, on behalf of the pilot, that the real facts of the collision become known. 

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Juan talks about the mid-air collision and its relevancy for the drone industry and drone operators. 

Today's guests are Oliver Heys and James Bassam of Surf Life Saving.   Surf Life Saving is Australia's premier water safety, drowning prevention, and rescue organization. With 129 Surf Life Saving Clubs and over 77,000 members, it's one of the largest not-for-profit volunteer movements in Australia, dedicated to saving lives on the beach.  A standout feature within Surf Life Saving is the Australian Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Service, operating the largest coastal UAV surveillance program in the Southern Hemisphere. The Australian UAV Services uses drones to monitor sharks off the coast of New South Wales, enhancing bather protection while minimizing harm to sharks and other marine life.

Oliver, Surf Life Savings Chief Remote Pilot & Capability Coordinator, oversees regulatory compliance and brings a wealth of experience since joining the organization in 2020. Oliver's dedication to the UAV industry earned him a finalist spot for the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Professional of the Year at the Australian Aviation Safety Awards in 2023.

James is the Australian UAV Service Operations Manager for Safety and Compliance. With a background in crewed aviation and roles as a Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, and Head Teacher of Aviation, James leads the operational delivery team. He has spearheaded numerous projects to enhance the capabilities of the Australian UAV Service.

In 2023, Surf Life Saving introduced long-range drones to monitor the coastal waters of New South Wales. This cost-effective, non-invasive technology has been successful in ensuring the safety of swimmers and surfers while minimizing the impact on marine life. The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with increased confidence in water safety where UAVs are deployed.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Oliver and James discuss Surf Life Savings, the use of drones to monitor sharks and the evolution of Australia’s long range UAV coastal monitoring program.

How will smaller, more powerful radar sensors change the way drones are used in first responder programs?

David Cameron ia Field Services Engineer and Lead UAS Pilot at MatrixSpace.  MatrixSpace is a radar sensing company that produces the next generation of AI-enabled sensing that can identify objects and collect data in real time, with no cloud requirements.  The company builds the smallest radar system to provide new levels of integrated outdoor surveillance, monitoring and inspection from both stationary and airborne platforms.  One of promising uses for MatrixSpace radar systems is enhancing drone-as-first-responder or DFR programs for short.

David brings 33 years of service with the City of Campbell Police Department, where he held a variety of critical roles, most recently leading the department’s DFR (drone as first responder) operations. He remains a Reserve Officer. As Field Services Engineer and lead UAS Pilot at MatrixSpace he drives the UAS-oriented solutions for this advanced radar company.

The small size and powerful capabilities of the sensors mean police departments using drones as first responders can deliver improved service and safety while at the same time, eliminating the need for rooftop visual observers.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, David talks about MatrixSpace, the evolution of drone as first responder programs and how MatrixSpace sensors can improve safety and operational efficiency of future DFR missions.

How can we make search and rescue training more real?

Roger Hall is CEO and Founder of 2D Dummies.  2D Dummies is reshaping the future of public safety training with their patent-pending, two-dimensional rescue manikins.  Designed to precisely simulate the physical attributes & thermal signature of the human body, the 2D DUMMY is the ultimate solution for heightening the authenticity of training drills for public safety professionals.  The 2D dimensional manikins have been used to enhance UAS search and rescue teams in variety of training scenarios, including firefighting, law enforcement, and military settings.

Roger is a retired firefighter with a 25-year career in New Hampshire and a passion for aviation. Holding both FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot and Part 61 Sport Pilot Certificates, Roger transitioned into the field of unmanned aerial systems after retirement. As one of DARTdrones' first UAS instructors, he has trained over 1,000 individuals and co-developed their Part 107 and Public Safety Training programs.

Always seeking to introduce reality into his training sessions, he developed a 2D dummy as a prop.  Continued refinement and feedback led him to produce a life-like 2D Dummy that enhances public safety UAS search and rescue training.

In this edition of the Drone  Radio Show, Roger talks about how 2D Dummies are used in public safety UAS training to enhance search and rescue capabilities and build emotional resilience within organizations. 

What makes a drone good for tactical use?

Jon Becker is CEO and Founder of AARDVARK Tactical, a leading provider of tactical equipment and custom solutions.  AARDVARK Tactical has served leading defense and law enforcement agencies at home and abroad since 1987. 

The company finds, develops, and manufactures exclusively integrated products that excel in a variety of terrains and use-cases – from personal protective equipment to tactical sUAS, breaching technology, robotics, communication systems, and mission-specific kits.  Its singular focus is to enhance operator safety and mission effectiveness.

Jon has spent the past four decades dedicating himself to protecting tactical operators. He at just 17 years old. The company started out as a climbing equipment business, often selling gear to SWAT teams and operators. After attending law school and working in police litigation, Jon realized that the best way he could serve tactical operators was by producing and providing high-quality gear and products that would enhance operator safety on the job. After AARDVARK’s expansion and success, Jon founded PROJECT7, a provider of purpose-built, scalable and configurable tactical platforms.

Jon has had the privilege of working with some of the world’s top law enforcement and military units, including the amazing leaders who guide their teams through some of the most dangerous situations and encounters imaginable.   He has keynoted for many years on the leadership of elite units and what he terms "culture-centric" leadership, and he the host and creator of “The Debrief”, a non-profit podcast that shares stories of leadership under fire with the world. 

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Jon talks about AARDVARK Tactical, the release of the new Loki-2 drone for tactical use and the challenges and opportunities in the use of drone for public safety.

If you could design a drone specifically for public safety agencies, what would it look like?

Blake Resnick is CEO and Founder of BRINC.  BRINC designs, manufactures and sells sUAS systems to public safety departments worldwide. The company’s flagship product, the LEMUR, employs innovative solutions designed specifically for public safety and emergency situations.  Using lidar technology, the drone flies indoors with precision and unprecedented agility, and its two-way communication system allows first responders to hear and see through the drone. But this only scratches the surface of the drone’s capabilities.

Blake has the innate ability to define a problem, imagine a new approach and create a technology-based solution.   He started taking college courses at the age of 14, and then attended Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering. Before launching BRINC, Blake worked at McLaren Automotive, Tesla Motors, and DJI. He’s a member of the Thiel Fellowship’s class of 2020. Under Blake’s leadership, in just 2 ½ years, BRINC has become a leader of public safety UAS solutions worldwide.

He is currently working on an sUAS mesh system designed to respond to gunshot detections and 911 calls within seconds. When not enveloped in product development, he actively engages in recruiting, strategy development, internal communication, and fundraising. 

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Blake talks about BRINC drones, in particular it’s revolutionary LEMUR drone and he provides insights into how the company has become successful in supporting the mission of hundreds of public safety organizations around the world.

Can Drones Provide Actional Insight into How Wildfires Spread?

Dr. Mrinal Kumar is an associate professor in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering, where he founded the Laboratory for Autonomy in Data-Driven and Complex Systems.

Under Mrinal’s direction, Researchers are using autonomous drones to help prevent and mitigate wildfires.  As witnessed by the ongoing blazes across the U.S., wildfires are difficult to predict and fight. Flames can travel up to 14 mph in dry grass and spread in unexpected directions.

The Lab received a $1.4 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an aerial robotic system.  The “Integration of Autonomous UAS in Wildland Fire Management” project develops real-time situational awareness using drones to monitor the intensity and spread of wildfires. The results should help firefighting experts understand how topographic, atmospheric and forest fuel factors in temperate hardwood forests influence fire intensity and rate of spread through real-time data activation in fire behavior models.

Mrinal’s team will shadow the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ prescribed burn team into the southern state forests of Ohio, led by Greg Guess at the Division of Forestry. Prescribed burns are typically conducted late in the fall or early spring when the fuel and weather conditions are conducive to a controlled burn. The drones will undergo rigorous testing and validation, leading up to fully autonomous mission design and deployment in these prescribed burns and eventually wildfires.

Mrinal received a Ph.D. in 2009 from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, both in aerospace engineering. During 2010-16, he served as an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at University of Florida. In 2016, Dr. Kumar's group moved to The Ohio State University.

In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Dr. Kumar talks about National Science Foundation grand and the university’s research into drones and wildfires.