2019 AUVSI XCELLENCE Humanitarian Award: Recognizing Drone Pioneers
DJI Celebrates Those Transforming Lives Through Drones
The second annual XCELLENCE Humanitarian Award, held on Thursday at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL conference in Chicago, celebrated five remarkable organizations harnessing drone technology to make the world a better place. Sponsored by DJI, a leader in civilian drone and aerial imaging technologies, this prestigious accolade honors individuals and groups pushing the boundaries of how drones are used for humanitarian efforts.
Exceptional Contributions Recognized
This year’s award highlights the innovative applications of drones in various sectors, ranging from disaster response to wildlife conservation. Speaking at the event, Mario Rebello, DJI’s Country Manager for North America, articulated the profound impact these initiatives have: “In the last year, we have seen a variety of drone technologies deployed to locate individuals lost beneath thick forest canopies, deliver essential medications across continents, and even empower students to program drones for autonomous missions.”
He emphasized that these achievements reflect not only the immense potential of drone technology but also the dedication and ingenuity of its users. With a growing acceptance of drones across various industries, Rebello expressed hope that the awards would encourage more operators worldwide to engage in meaningful projects that benefit their communities.
Celebrating the Winners
The five honorees were recognized for their exceptional involvement in key areas such as disaster relief, public safety, education, firefighting, and ecosystem solutions. The winners are:
- **North Carolina Department of Transportation** – Pioneered an innovative drone response following Hurricane Florence in the United States.
- **Swoop Aero** – Successfully implemented vaccine and health supply deliveries on the island nation of Vanuatu.
- **NASA/MIT Search and Rescue Under the Canopy (SARUC)** – Developed methods to locate missing individuals in challenging forest terrains across the United States.
- **Project Lifesaver International** – Focused on search and rescue operations for vulnerable individuals at risk of wandering in the United States.
- **Zipline International** – Innovated medical drone delivery services in various parts of Africa, including Rwanda and Ghana.
Brian Wynne, the president and CEO of AUVSI, commended the winners, stating, “The Humanitarian Awards highlight the transformative potential of unmanned systems technology. We take pride in recognizing the five awardees and hope their outstanding achievements inspire others to utilize unmanned aircraft systems for societal benefit.”
Supporting Humanitarian Efforts
To further their impactful initiatives, each of the five award-winning organizations will receive a donation of $5,000 USD, underscoring the importance of humanitarian and philanthropic efforts in utilizing drone technology for good.
