Drones

AUVSI Xcellence Awards Swoop Aero

At the beginning of the first part of AUVSI Xponential, the applications were evaluated. At the AUVSI Xcellence Awards, Swoop Aero was named a finalist for its humanitarian drone missions for the third time in a row.

“The AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations who have used unmanned systems technology to develop solutions to a range of challenges that affect businesses and society,” said Brian Wynne, President and CEO of AUVSI. “AUVSI is pleased to recognize these finalists for their persistence and dedication to turning dreams into reality.”

Swoop Aero, the Australian drone-powered logistics company, is focused on the delivery of humanitarian drones, including the delivery of vaccinations and other medical supplies, to the remote islands of Vanuatu. – And this year has continued offering COVID-19 vaccines where they are most needed in Swoop Aero’s African coverage areas.

Eric Peck, CEO and Co-Founder of Swoop Aero said: “After the turmoil and challenges of last year, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to be recognized for our ongoing impact and the value we achieve in 6 countries and 3 continents. That time has helped catalyze technological innovation and ingenuity that we have used to continue to support national health systems around the world and contain the spread of this novel coronavirus. This year, Swoop Aero commenced operations in Australia, New Zealand and the UK to ship the COVID-19 vaccine and associated health supplies including COVID-19 tests, results, PPE and routine medication with minimal human interaction. The previous year only served to highlight this problem. It is more urgent than ever to build a resilient health system to address the challenges of the future. That’s exactly what Swoop Aero does. “

AUVSI Xcellence Awards and Swoop Aero

Swoop Aero operates in six countries and “affects over 1,000,000 people through partnerships such as UNICEF, USAid, UKAid and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” according to a company press release. “Since January 2020, Swoop Aero has expanded its activities in Malawi and the DR Congo together with the NGO partner VillageReach. The company is expected to continue expanding into Mozambique in the coming months. ”In addition, Swoop Aero is expected to expand operations across Australia to rural parts of the country.

The start-up was named a finalist due to its impact in Vanuatu, DR Congo, Mozambique, Australia, Scotland and Malawi. This announcement follows the company’s previous success in the Humanitarian XCELLENCE Award category in 2020 and 2019 for the innovation it drives in the aviation industry and healthcare supply chain.

The AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards recognize individuals and organizations that are innovators in the unmanned systems industry. They have a proven track record of advancing autonomy, leading and promoting the safe adoption of unmanned systems, and developing programs that use these technologies to save lives and improve the human condition.

Other finalists in the Humanitarian Aid category are:

  • UNICEF African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) / Virginia Tech, African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA)
  • ALTI UAS (Pty) Ltd, ALTI unmanned aircraft systems Operation Blacktip – ALTI flies in Misool
  • DroneUp, Delivery of COVID-19 test kits for home drones
  • MissionGO, MissionGO completes the longest UAS flight for the delivery of human organs
  • Northrop Grumman, Northrop Grumman Firebird with Overwatch Imaging TK-9 supports Cal Fire during the 2020 Wildfire season

Winners will be announced on August 16-19 at AUVSI Xponential at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Miriam McNabb is Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a marketplace for professional drone services, and a fascinating observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Author of over 3,000 articles focusing on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam graduated from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years experience in high-tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For advice or writing in the drone industry, email Miriam.

TWITTER: @spaldingbarker

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