Romeo Durscher Life in Drones

As Romeo Durscher steps again from the drone trade, going through retirement attributable to a latest well being prognosis, he displays on a profession that has formed not solely expertise however lives world wide. On this interview with DRONELIFE, Romeo shares tales from his exceptional 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 strong reminder of the affect one individual can have on a complete trade. His phrases, barely tailored right here for readability, provide a glance again on the pioneering years of the drone trade and a name to future innovators to hold ahead the values of authenticity, ethics, and objective.

Romeo Durscher: A Life in Drones

After greater than a decade within the drone trade, 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 completely new world unfold. Trying again, I see two guiding ideas which have outlined my profession: following curiosity and staying true to objective. These concepts have carried me by an incredible profession, from creating artwork and testing flight algorithms to rescuing folks in crises.

The Early Days: From NASA to Uncharted Territory

In 2010, after I was nonetheless deeply concerned in NASA missions, Mark Johnson and I started experimenting with a brand new type of expertise. Multi-rotors had been virtually unparalleled, however we discovered parts 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 strong instrument 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 performed 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 expertise 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 need to deliver 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 purpose was easy—get drones in entrance of extra folks. I wished to point out the world what they might do, not only for leisure however for actual, life-saving work. Constructing an Schooling Group, I made it a precedence to succeed in not solely academia but additionally lawmakers and trade leaders who wanted to see drones’ potential. 

Some moments had been simply unforgettable. We partnered with ABC Good Morning America to broadcast stay from contained in the world’s largest cave system in Vietnam. It had by no means been performed, and the technical challenges had been monumental. However we pulled it off, and folks again within the U.S. might watch that feed stay. Then, there was the primary fireplace rescue I participated in. That have reshaped every thing for me. Quickly after, we developed the primary thermal drone payload with FLIR. It allowed us to see by smoke, into the darkness, and discover warmth signatures—a instrument that modified how we approached rescue missions. 

Each success got here with challenges, although. In 2017, I pushed arduous for a fixed-wing VTOL, pondering it might assist long-range missions in rugged environments. We constructed a prototype primarily based on the M200 design, and it was nearly prepared to enter manufacturing. Sadly, the timing wasn’t proper, and it was shelved. However working in DJI’s fast-paced atmosphere 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 had been changing into actuality in weeks.

Taking Drones to the Entrance Traces of Catastrophe Response 

Some of the defining experiences of my profession got here throughout the huge wildfires in 2017 and 2018 in California. With drones, we might map the devastation, observe fireplace traces, and even find victims, all whereas giving real-time knowledge to CAL FIRE groups on the bottom. One second stands out: we had been capable of assist save animals trapped by the fires, giving somewhat 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 happy with, and it’s arduous to say. There’s the primary individual I helped rescue—that can all the time stick with me. However equally vital are the instances after I hear that one thing I shared impressed another person to hitch this discipline. Understanding I’ve sparked that zeal 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 movement 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 had been making an attempt to ascertain the “USB” of cellular robotics—plug-and-play expertise that might unlock true interoperability.

In fact, it wasn’t straightforward. Working in a smaller, venture-capital-driven atmosphere got here with totally different sorts of pressures, however I believed in what we had been constructing. At Auterion, we wished to create one thing that might 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 intently with public security professionals. By collaborations with organizations just like the European Emergency Quantity Affiliation (EENA), we developed rigorous trials and set a brand new customary for integrating drones into emergency companies. Seeing this expertise work in real-time, saving lives, was immensely rewarding. 

And but, this work got here with its personal challenges. In an rising discipline, authenticity and ethics are every thing. “Some of the important classes is the significance of authenticity, truthfulness, and ethics,” I usually say. The trade has seen its share of exaggerations, with people pushing narratives for monetary achieve, which impacts not simply the trade’s repute but additionally the individuals who depend on this expertise. I wished to verify we constructed one thing that might be trusted, not simply by builders however by the firefighters, cops, and emergency responders who use it on daily basis. 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

Right now, I actually imagine drones are of their “web second”—a time when this expertise is reworking 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 trade.

Think about a world the place a single operator manages a number of autonomous drones, tackling advanced missions from environmental monitoring to go looking 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 manner we’ll unlock the complete potential of drones in a manner that serves folks and positive aspects 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 performed it. The folks on this trade, usually working behind the scenes, are those pushing boundaries on daily basis, they usually’re those who will carry this work ahead.

My hope is that as this trade grows, it doesn’t simply chase innovation but additionally stays true to objective. The long run doesn’t want flashy taglines or huge guarantees—it wants actual individuals who need to make a distinction. As I retire, I’m able to see the subsequent wave of leaders rise. My recommendation to them? Be genuine, be true, and all the time do not forget that the work is about greater than expertise—it’s concerning the individuals who rely upon it.

The drone trade has given me the chance to contribute to one thing higher 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 expertise goes subsequent, and I’m assured will probably be in good arms.

If you want 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 trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade.  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 trade consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.

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