“Get Ready for the Ultimate Drone Experience: Highlights from the Largest Drone Event of 2023”

The drone industry has seen significant growth over the past five years, with Chinese manufacturer DJI’s market ownership declining in the US and drone delivery redefining logistics in some parts of the world. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International’s Xponential event has continued to be an industry benchmark for new technologies, innovations, regulatory change, and community collaboration. As Xponential approaches, we look at what we might expect to see or hear in the coming days and why it matters in the context of the autonomous vehicle industry’s next steps.

Since the last Xponential event in 2022, there have been new funding raises from one industry leader and lay-offs and downsizing in the tech industry that impacted operations at others. Intense government restrictions on foreign manufacturers have opened the gateway for US players, and there has been international pressure to reform supply chains across government. The success of the AFWERX program has emboldened and supported the nascent AAM industry, and a proposal for an industry-driven regulatory overhaul is making its way through Congress.

At #xpo23, we hope to hear how the FAA views this legislative proposal, get a better sense from industry how they’re supporting or fighting it, and hear any news about those on the prospect of a new regime for approvals considering the 2.5+ years of investment in existing certification pathways. We’re also eager to hear from Matternet about new partnerships, sales, operations, or deployments to demonstrate that the regulatory pathway the industry has been following leads somewhere.

We’re excited to understand the economic considerations investors are making for the number of deliveries, as well as how the regulatory environment will meet those targets and are needed to meet expectations. We’ve seen a trend from the biggest delivery players toward installed infrastructure at point of delivery/take-off. Local municipalities, community stakeholders, and other governance groups will have a roll over installed infrastructure like those we’ve seen proposed recently, and the way local groups choose to exert that oversight has not quite been established.

There are too many other questions out there we’re excited about, and for those who will be in the audience, let’s chat! Who will be the new kid on the block stealing attention? What technology will be the most game-changing? Will we see the announcement of a new government approval or program as has happened in previous years? How has the recent data protection initiative – AUVSI’s Green UAS – performed; do businesses care about privacy, localization, and geo-politics in technology as much as the DOD? We certainly don’t know, but we can’t wait to see you there!