This was a hybrid event with in-person attendance in Levine 307 and virtual attendance…
In this talk, I will discuss how we engineered the foundation of the drone show industry, creating a new form of entertainment that rivals traditional fireworks. Our journey began at Pennovation, where we designed and tested our initial multi-drone system, which helped us navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I will delve into the development of a scalable, centralized control architecture for robotic agents, enabling the safe operation of more than ten thousand drones globally. The transition from prototyping to scalable manufacturing required the tight integration of hardware and software, including the implementation of an extensive IEEE 802.15.4 network stack on an RTOS, and advanced flight planning software.
Safety was paramount; sensor redundancy and reliable radio communications were crucial to creating a secure drone show system. I will also explore how balancing engineering and business imperatives—through first-principles thinking and a customer-centric approach—enabled us to navigate trade-offs among cost, speed, and performance effectively.
Attendees will gain practical insights into simplifying complex systems, making strategic trade-offs, and employing rapid iteration to transform technical innovation into a viable market product. This talk offers valuable perspectives for engineers interested in scalable robotic systems and academics exploring the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship, demonstrating how aligning engineering excellence with entrepreneurial vision makes success achievable.