Humanitarian UAV Network Invites Contributions to UAV Evaluation

Patrick Meier and the worldwide Humanitarian UAV Network, “UAViators,” have undertaken a fairly comprehensive review of UAVs for humanitarian use. They’ve evaluated over 150 UAV models, both drones and airframes, including several 3DR models, along a wide range of criteria, from payload capacity to weatherproofing and APM compatibility. The review also includes peripherals critical to humanitarian applications, such as cameras, gimbal compatibility, and software for imaging analysis.

Patrick posted the results from the review’s first stage in an open google spreadsheet, and on his blog invited members of the community to contribute: We are actively looking for feedback and very much welcome additional entries. So feel free to review & add more UAVs and related technologies directly to the spreadsheet. Our second phase will involve the scoring/weighing of the results to identify the UAVs, cameras and software that may be the best fit for humanitarian organizations.

The UAViators (pronounced Wave-iators) are committed to combining drones and cloud-based big data for applications that are practical and urgent, and could potentially save many lives. The project is global and inclusive, and well worth the attention of this community.

Thanks for your comment. Not sure who you're referring to when you ask have "they". All we did was review specs and parameters that are important to humanitarian organizations. The second phase of the review includes interviewing seasoned UAV pilots on specific models that appear to be a good fit for humanitarians in the field.

I'm not quite sure why you're including a link to CAAP regulation in the Philippines given that the evaluation (subject of this blog post) is a technical evaluation. We have several partners in the Philippines who are already meeting with CAAP this week in order to get permission to fly.

In terms of regulation, the Humanitarian UAV Network will shortly be launching a Wiki with a country directory for existing UAV laws and regulations. This Wiki will also include a travel section (think of it as a TripAdvisor for UAV pilots who travel internationally with their UAVs). There will necessarily be gaps when the Wiki is launched, but the reason we're using a Wiki is to crowdsource feedback and input in order to fill those gaps.

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Comments

Patrick Meier July 31, 2014 at 2:58pm

Thanks for your comment. Not sure who you're referring to when you ask have "they". All we did was review specs and parameters that are important to humanitarian organizations. The second phase of the review includes interviewing seasoned UAV pilots on specific models that appear to be a good fit for humanitarians in the field.

I'm not quite sure why you're including a link to CAAP regulation in the Philippines given that the evaluation (subject of this blog post) is a technical evaluation. We have several partners in the Philippines who are already meeting with CAAP this week in order to get permission to fly.

In terms of regulation, the Humanitarian UAV Network will shortly be launching a Wiki with a country directory for existing UAV laws and regulations. This Wiki will also include a travel section (think of it as a TripAdvisor for UAV pilots who travel internationally with their UAVs). There will necessarily be gaps when the Wiki is launched, but the reason we're using a Wiki is to crowdsource feedback and input in order to fill those gaps.
Moderator

Gary Mortimer July 31, 2014 at 10:07am

The Philippines have just closed down RPAS operations unless you are a rated manned pilot.

http://www.suasnews.com/2014/07/30278/philippines-caap-regulates-th...

Have they flown 150 platforms now? That's impressive.

This reply was deleted.