As Romeo Durscher steps again from the drone business, going through retirement resulting from a latest well being analysis, he displays on a profession that has formed not solely know-how however lives all over the world. On this interview with DRONELIFE, Romeo shares tales from his outstanding journey—outlined by curiosity, resilience, and a dedication to creating a distinction. From working at NASA whereas additionally “taking part in” with drones, to main public security initiatives at DJI and advocating for open requirements at Auterion, to creating significant and wanted coaching and cellular robotics options at UTAC and FLYMOTION, Romeo’s voice stays a robust reminder of the affect one particular person can have on a whole business. His phrases, barely tailored right here for readability, provide a glance again on the pioneering years of the drone business and a name to future innovators to hold ahead the values of authenticity, ethics, and goal.
Romeo Durscher: A Life in Drones
After greater than a decade within the drone business, I can hardly imagine how far we’ve come. From assembling my first drone whereas working at NASA to watching UAVs revolutionize public security, each step of this journey has felt like watching a wholly new world unfold. Trying again, I see two guiding ideas which have outlined my profession: following curiosity and staying true to goal. These concepts have carried me by means of a tremendous profession, from creating artwork and testing flight algorithms to rescuing individuals in crises.
The Early Days: From NASA to Uncharted Territory
In 2010, once I was nonetheless deeply concerned in NASA missions, Mark Johnson and I started experimenting with a brand new sort of know-how. Multi-rotors have been virtually remarkable, however we discovered elements from throughout and pieced collectively our personal drones. I vividly bear in mind the primary time we flew one. For Mark, it was clear this might be a robust device for his forensic evaluation enterprise. For me, it unlocked one thing new—a contemporary perspective from the air. Working with Adobe’s Russell Preston Brown, I created aerial panoramas that had by no means been executed earlier than. And at NASA, we even began utilizing these early drones to check docking algorithms for the Worldwide Area Station.
I used to be dwelling a dream, contributing to NASA missions and supporting human spaceflight. However one thing about this new know-how grabbed me. I knew it had a future past NASA, particularly in public security. The reminiscence of my Swiss army service, wishing for a real-time aerial view, fueled my want to carry drones to new areas.
Becoming a member of DJI: Constructing Drones for Public Security
Taking the leap to hitch DJI as Director of Schooling felt like plunging into the unknown, however I knew the potential drones needed to change lives. My first objective was easy—get drones in entrance of extra individuals. I needed to indicate the world what they might do, not only for leisure however for actual, life-saving work. Constructing an Schooling Workforce, I made it a precedence to achieve not solely academia but additionally lawmakers and business leaders who wanted to see drones’ potential.
Some moments have been simply unforgettable. We partnered with ABC Good Morning America to broadcast dwell from contained in the world’s largest cave system in Vietnam. It had by no means been executed, and the technical challenges have been monumental. However we pulled it off, and other people again within the U.S. might watch that feed dwell. Then, there was the primary hearth rescue I participated in. That have reshaped every part for me. Quickly after, we developed the primary thermal drone payload with FLIR. It allowed us to see by means of smoke, into the darkness, and discover warmth signatures—a device that modified how we approached rescue missions.
Each success got here with challenges, although. In 2017, I pushed laborious for a fixed-wing VTOL, pondering it might help long-range missions in rugged environments. We constructed a prototype primarily based on the M200 design, and it was virtually prepared to enter manufacturing. Sadly, the timing wasn’t proper, and it was shelved. However working in DJI’s fast-paced surroundings was exhilarating. Each go to to headquarters in China would reveal one thing new—a prototype right here, a brand new functionality there. It felt like concepts have been turning into actuality in weeks.
Taking Drones to the Entrance Traces of Catastrophe Response
One of the vital defining experiences of my profession got here throughout the large wildfires in 2017 and 2018 in California. With drones, we might map the devastation, monitor hearth traces, and even find victims, all whereas giving real-time knowledge to CAL FIRE groups on the bottom. One second stands out: we have been capable of assist save animals trapped by the fires, giving just a little hope amidst the destruction. Every deployment taught me one thing new about how drones might be used to avoid wasting lives and assist communities in disaster.
Individuals have usually requested what I’m most pleased with, and it’s laborious to say. There’s the primary particular person I helped rescue—that may all the time stick with me. However equally vital are the occasions once I hear that one thing I shared impressed another person to hitch this area. Realizing I’ve sparked that keenness in others is an unbelievable honor.
A Shift to Standardization with Auterion
At Auterion, I discovered one other distinctive alternative: the possibility to create a real ecosystem the place drones, sensors, and knowledge might circulate seamlessly. I had witnessed the necessity for standardization firsthand at DJI, so Auterion’s mission of open-source growth was one thing I felt drawn to. Constructing this ecosystem, I envisioned a world the place platforms might function within the air, on land, and even at sea, all utilizing a unified management system. We have been making an attempt to determine the “USB” of cellular robotics—plug-and-play know-how that will unlock true interoperability.
After all, it wasn’t simple. Working in a smaller, venture-capital-driven surroundings got here with totally different sorts of pressures, however I believed in what we have been constructing. At Auterion, we needed to create one thing that will outlast any single firm—a framework the place anybody might take part and innovate.
Studying from Public Security, and Giving Again
One of many privileges of my profession has been working carefully with public security professionals. By way of collaborations with organizations just like the European Emergency Quantity Affiliation (EENA), we developed rigorous trials and set a brand new normal for integrating drones into emergency companies. Seeing this know-how work in real-time, saving lives, was immensely rewarding.
And but, this work got here with its personal challenges. In an rising area, authenticity and ethics are every part. “One of the vital important classes is the significance of authenticity, truthfulness, and ethics,” I usually say. The business has seen its share of exaggerations, with people pushing narratives for monetary acquire, which impacts not simply the business’s fame but additionally the individuals who depend on this know-how. I needed to ensure we constructed one thing that might be trusted, not simply by builders however by the firefighters, cops, and emergency responders who use it every single day. By default, the highlight is already on them; now with new tech it’s even worse.
The “Web Second” for Drones—and What Lies Forward
At present, I really imagine drones are of their “web second”—a time when this know-how is remodeling how we see and work together with the world. I envision a future the place drones function autonomously, guided by AI and able to working far past visible line of sight. However getting there means embracing open requirements, plug-and-play ecosystems, and actual collaboration throughout the business.
Think about a world the place a single operator manages a number of autonomous drones, tackling advanced missions from environmental monitoring to look and rescue. It’s not only a dream; it’s inside attain, however provided that we keep grounded in authenticity and ethics. That’s the one approach we’ll unlock the complete potential of drones in a approach that serves individuals and positive factors the belief of individuals and governments.
Trying Ahead
As I step again from my formal profession, I’m grateful for the staff members, managers, and first responders who’ve been with me alongside the way in which. Each achievement, each rescue, and each milestone was the results of unbelievable teamwork. Alone, I might by no means have executed it. The individuals on this business, usually working behind the scenes, are those pushing boundaries every single day, and so they’re those who will carry this work ahead.
My hope is that as this business grows, it doesn’t simply chase innovation but additionally stays true to goal. The long run doesn’t want flashy taglines or large guarantees—it wants actual individuals who wish to make a distinction. As I retire, I’m able to see the following wave of leaders rise. My recommendation to them? Be genuine, be true, and all the time keep in mind that the work is about greater than know-how—it’s in regards to the individuals who rely on it.
The drone business has given me the chance to contribute to one thing larger than myself, and for that, I’m extremely grateful. I could also be stepping away, however I’ll all the time carry the teachings, reminiscences, and friendships I’ve gained alongside the way in which. I’m excited to see the place this know-how goes subsequent, and I’m assured it is going to be in good arms.
If you need to attach with Romeo or depart him a message within the guestbook:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone business and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the business drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the business. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone business consulting or writing, E-mail Miriam.
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