Drone On! MIT to Discuss, Demonstrate Civilian Use of Unmanned Vehicles

CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwired - May 7, 2014) - From search and rescue to crop pollination and pizza delivery, robotic unmanned vehicles (UV) -- more commonly known as drones -- are becoming mainstream. The May 15 MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge Innovation Series event features a number of experts who will demonstrate and discuss How Will Drones and Other Flying Robots Shape Your Everyday Life?

Although UVs are often the subject of controversy, as highlighted by Sen. Rand Paul's 13 hour filibuster in protest of U.S. government drone policy, flying robots are useful tools that can perform a wide range of tasks. And the roles that drones will play in the future are being dreamt by visionaries such as those who will speak about and demonstrate drones at MIT's Johnson Rink next week, including:

Helen Greiner, co-founder of iRobot and CEO of CyPhy, and Michael Belfiore, journalist and author of The Department of Mad Scientists: How DARPA Is Remaking Our World, from the Internet to Artificial Limb will present the evening's keynotes, sharing the trends in UVs that are making waves among business and technological leaders.

The event will also feature:

Sawyer Fuller of RoboBees, whose miniature robotic insects can be used to pollinate crops, conduct search and surveillance, and monitor conditions such as traffic and weather.

Patrick Edwards-Daugherty of Kickstarter-funded drone maker Pleiades, maker of what the company calls the "iPhone of drones."

Francisco Aguilar of robotic sensor maker Bounce Imaging. Bounce Imaging makes durable sensors that can be thrown into dangerous environments to assess hazardous situations.

Terry Holland, drone entrepreneur whose UVs have been used in commercial and marketing contexts.

Date :
May 15, 2014

Time :
5:30 - 8 :00 p.m.
8:00-9:00pm After Event Party at the Asgard, 350 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA

Location:
MIT Johnson Rink
120 Vassar Street, Cambridge

To Register:
http://bit.ly/1fqerYQ

About The MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge

The MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge is the founding chapter and 1 of 27 worldwide chapters comprising the MIT Enterprise Forum, Inc. Offering more than 40 programs and events annually that inspire innovation, MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge initiatives facilitate critical one-on-one mentoring while providing team services that increase the skills and expertise necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed.