The South California Meetup, held on February 19th in San Diego, California, brought together drone enthusiasts, industry professionals, and open-source advocates for an afternoon of insightful presentations and networking. Sponsored by Dronecode and Firestorm, the event showcased the latest advancements in drone technology and fostered meaningful connections within the community.
Event Overview
The meetup featured a stellar lineup of speakers who shared their expertise on everything from open-source ecosystems to cutting-edge hardware innovations. Here’s a recap of the sessions:
Opening and Networking (3:00 pm PST)
The event began with a warm welcome and networking session, allowing attendees to connect and exchange ideas before the presentations kicked off.
Dronecode: The Latest on PX4 and the Open Ecosystem (3:30 pm PST)
Ramon Roche, General Manager of the Dronecode Foundation, opened the technical sessions with an update on PX4 and the open-source ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and open standards in driving innovation in the drone industry. Ramon’s talk highlighted how the PX4 community continues to push the boundaries of autonomous flight and how attendees can get involved in shaping the future of open-source drone technology.
Meet Firestorm (4:00 pm PST)
Ian Muceus, CTO of Firestorm, took the stage to introduce Firestorm’s mission and projects. Ian’s presentation focused on the company’s efforts to develop scalable and efficient drone solutions for various applications, from logistics to disaster response. He also shared insights into Firestorm’s approach to integrating advanced technologies into their platforms.
Hardware Accelerated Image Pipeline for Multi-Cam VIO (4:30 pm PST)
James Strawson, Director of Software at ModaIAI, delivered a fascinating talk on hardware-accelerated image pipelines for multi-camera visual-inertial odometry (VIO). James explained how leveraging hardware acceleration can significantly enhance the performance of drone navigation systems, enabling more precise and reliable operations in complex environments.
High Altitude Anti-icing Quadrotor (5:00 pm PST)
Jackson Shultz (Head of Engineering) and Jordan McMillan (Chief Engineer for UAS) from Rainmaker presented their groundbreaking work on high-altitude anti-icing quadrotors. They discussed the unique challenges of operating drones in extreme weather conditions and shared innovative solutions to prevent icing, ensuring reliable performance at high altitudes.
Closing Remarks and Networking Hour (5:30 pm – 7:00 pm PST)
The formal sessions concluded with closing remarks summarizing the key takeaways from the day. The event wrapped up with an extended networking hour, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with speakers, sponsors, and fellow enthusiasts over refreshments.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
One of the highlights of the meetup was the vibrant discussions and connections formed during the networking sessions. Attendees had the chance to share their experiences, ask questions, and explore potential collaborations. The event underscored the importance of community-driven innovation and the role of open-source projects in advancing the drone industry.
Acknowledgments
We extend our thanks to our sponsor and host, Firestorm, for their unwavering support in making this event possible. Their commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration is truly commendable. We also want to thank our speakers for sharing their knowledge and inspiring the community with their groundbreaking work.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who attended the meetup. Your enthusiasm and participation made the event a resounding success.
Looking Ahead
The South California Meetup was proof of the power of the region on driving the industry forward. As we reflect on the success of this event, we are already looking forward to future meetups and opportunities to bring the community together.
Next Meetup
Join us for an exciting community meetup in Philadelphia! This event will take place on March 26, 2025, at the UPenn Pennovation Works Treehouse. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, share knowledge, and network with like-minded individuals in the tech and open-source communities. Stay tuned for more details, including the agenda and featured speakers, as we get closer to the date. Don’t miss out on this chance to engage with the community and enjoy some refreshments while you’re at it!
