Key Takeaways from the 2020 AUVSI XCELLENCE Humanitarian and Public Safety Awards
- Six innovative organizations recognized for their transformative use of drone technology.
- DJI proudly sponsors the awards, highlighting the positive impact of unmanned systems in humanitarian and public safety efforts.
- Award recipients embody creativity, ingenuity, and dedication to improving lives through drone applications.
- The awards signal a significant increase in the use of drones for humanitarian purposes, especially during challenging times.
Celebrating Innovation: Winners Announced for the 2020 AUVSI XCELLENCE Humanitarian and Public Safety Awards
In an inspiring acknowledgment of groundbreaking contributions to society, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) recently unveiled the winners of the 2020 AUVSI XCELLENCE Humanitarian and Public Safety Awards. Sponsored by the renowned tech leader DJI, this year’s awards spotlight organizations that leverage drone technology in innovative ways to benefit people, wildlife, and the environment. The winners were announced on October 8 during the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2020 event.
A Tribute to Change-Makers in Drone Technology
The 2020 awardees are recognized for their exceptional dedication to utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the greater good. As Wayne Baker, Director of Public Safety Integration at DJI, stated, "This year’s AUVSI XCELLENCE Award winners highlight the most inspiring ways drone technology has been used over the past year to aid people, animals, and the environment." Baker went on to commend the dedicated teams behind each of these initiatives, emphasizing the boundless creativity and resilience that characterizes their work.
Pioneering Humanitarian and Public Safety Projects
This year, the awards saw three projects from the humanitarian category and three from public safety being honored for their impactful utilization of drone technology. The humanitarian projects include:
- Nepal Flying Labs: Focused on Drones Optimized Therapy Systems.
- UMD UAS Test Site: Recognized for its Human Organ Transplant Delivery UAS.
- WildTrack: Celebrated for its Footprint Identification Technique (FIT).
In the public safety sector, the awardees are:
- Chula Vista Police Department: For their innovative Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Program.
- DRONERESPONDERS: Noted for their DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance.
- Verity: Acknowledged for their commitment to making drone technology safer with their Failsafe system.
Transforming Lives Through Technology
In a world where the demand for innovative solutions has surged—particularly amid a global pandemic—the importance of harnessing technology for humanitarian efforts has never been clearer. Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI, praised the award recipients, stating, “The Humanitarian and Public Safety Awards demonstrate the profound ability of the recipients to positively impact lives through unmanned systems technology and create tremendous goodwill for our industry.” He expressed hope that the recognition of these pioneering projects would inspire others to explore how UAS can bring about positive change within society.
A Rewarding Future Ahead
As a testament to their impactful work, the award-winning organizations will share a prize pool of $30,000 to further their innovative humanitarian and public safety initiatives. This funding underscores the commitment to fostering advancements in drone technology that aim to benefit society and respond to the pressing challenges faced around the globe today.
The recognition and celebration of these projects encapsulate a growing movement towards using technology for social good, encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. With the combined efforts of these organizations, the promise of a future made brighter through innovation is indeed on the horizon.
