Drones Will Modernize the Healthcare Industry, Says Stampede President Kevin Kelly

The drone revolution that’s sweeping the globe is revolutionizing every commercial market and the healthcare industry is no exception, asserts Kevin Kelly, President & COO of Stampede, North America’s leading provider of ProAV solutions. With high-speed capabilities and the latest telecommunication technology, drones have the capacity to help save lives on an unprecedented scale, modernizing how emergency situations are handled in both individual and community-wide cases. 

“The healthcare industry is under pressure to modernize and update just about every area of its operations, from the delivery of new treatment protocols to record management to assisting in case-by-case emergency situations,” Kelly said. “Drones will play a major role in modernizing healthcare in ways that we are just starting to understand.”

Drones are already being tested in the medical field with the delivery of vaccines, medications and supplies to remote locations. Matternet, a smart drone transportation manufacturer, conducted its first field trials in Haiti by successfully delivering small packages to a camp devastated by the 2010 earthquake that brought the country to its knees. “This one instance proved that drones have significant implications in the delivery of medicine,” Kelly said. “When road vehicles cannot reach a devastated area, drones can be used to bring medicine and supplies to people in need.”  

Global drone use in the medical field is spreading. According to Quartz, the World Health Organization and the government of Bhutan teamed up with Matternet this year to build a network of low-cost quadcopters to connect the country’s main hospitals with rural communities. “With only .3 physicians per 1,000 people, healthcare is a serious problem for the Bhutanese population,” Kelly said. “Matternet’s quadcopters can carry loads of up to four pounds across 20 km at a time, which makes a substantial difference in delivering medicine to the community.”

Drones have also been tested for use in individual emergency situations. In the Netherlands, Alec Momont, an engineering student at TU Delft in Delft, designed an “ambulance drone” specifically developed to combat the high mortality rate of cardiac arrest victims. According to Slate, the “ambulance drone” is capable of traveling at speeds up to 60 mph, and is fully equipped with an on-board camera, which allows a remote operator to talk to a victim and provide emergency instructions to whoever is with the victim on the ground. “According to Momont, a drone’s speedy response time and on-scene assistance capabilities could increase cardiac arrest survival rates to more than 80 percent,” Kelly emphasized. “And that’s a significant number.”

While the FAA has not yet extensively tested medical drone use in the United States, they are in the process of developing standards and guidelines for the safe and legal use of drones in commercial applications, in ways that do not violate an individual’s right to privacy, says Kelly.

“When approved, drones will have the ability to serve as life-saving and life-giving resource for a healthcare industry increasingly challenged to find new, safe, and cost-effective ways to deliver much needed medicine to remote locations, gather data needed to assist medical personnel in an unfolding crisis, and provide information to an individual trying to assist someone in need,” Kelly said. “In a very real way, drones are just what the doctor ordered to help modernize the global healthcare industry.” 

Stampede and Vidyo Introduce Drone-Based Video Conferencing Solution at InfoComm 2015

Demonstrating its singular ability to take video conferencing to a whole new level of effectiveness for a wide variety of customers involved in law enforcement, security, first responders, and emergency communications, Stampede (www.stampedeglobal.com), North America’s leading provider of custom configured ProAV solutions, today announced it was teaming up with Vidyo, Inc. (www.vidyo.com), a leader in visual communications and collaboration, to introduce drone-based video conferencing at InfoComm 2015. See a video of the drone in action. 

According to Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly, Stampede will introduce a single integrated solution that combines drones; Vidyo software; video management systems, displays, and connectivity; consulting services; and training into a single one-stop-shop solution for ProAV dealers.  “According to a recent survey of risk managers conducted by Munich RE, in fewer than five years the use of drones could become common practice for 40 percent of all businesses, which means that drone-based video conferencing is going to emerge as an important new element in video communications,” Kelly said today.  “Drones connected to Vidyo endpoint software will now be able to feed live images into a video conference, providing up-to-the-minute video content for participants who need real-time information during a fast changing event or situation.”

Underscoring the readiness of the market to accept drone based video conferencing Eran Westman, CEO of Vidyo, noted that, “The VidyoWorksTM software platform affords the flexibility to integrate with off-the-shelf video-enabled devices like drones, medical telemetry equipment, and smart glasses, and connect quality video streams over wireless Internet connections with a diverse set of endpoints, from handheld mobile devices in the field to multiscreen situation rooms for command and control.  Vidyo integrated with drones is already being used today by a national fire brigade. We are also working closely with police, EMTs, emergency responders, and internal communications agencies to help them enhance their current video conferencing capabilities with live images from drones that have an analog or digital video out from their base station, serving as the camera for Vidyo endpoint software.  We believe the Stampede offering using Vidyo technology will help to drive the demand for drone based video conferencing throughout North America from the very same type of customers.”

The two companies will be showcasing the new solution with a demonstration and presentation at InfoComm 2015. It will be exhibited and demonstrated by Stampede and Vidyo video conference experts at both the Stampede booth on the main show floor (#1759) and the Stampede booth located with in the Stampede-Unmanned Vehicle University sponsored Drone Pavilion (#7042).  

“Incorporating drone fed video and images into a video conferencing system represents the next great advance in the functional utility of the entire video conferencing platform,” Kelly stressed today.  “Stampede is proud to partner with Vidyo to make this solution available to customers throughout North America.”

Stampede Introduces xFold Ultra-Professional sUAV Drones at Unmanned Systems 2015

Demonstrating its unique ability to offer the industry’s most complete line of state-of-the-art market specific unmanned aerial vehicles, Stampede (www.stampedeglobal.com) today announced the market introduction of xFold  (www.xfoldrig.scom) — the strongest and most advanced multi-rotor sUAV drone platforms ever developed for top level aerial work in film and television production.  The introduction was made at Unmanned Systems 2015 in Booth #543 of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly, three specific xFold drones are being unveiled at the show.  “The xFold line of multi-rotor sUAVs offers professionals involved in top level aerial work with a complete range of options across a broad price range,” Kelly emphasized today.  “The xFold platform has been proven to be extremely reliable and effective in major motion pictures, television shows, and commercials, and now they are available to customers all across the country through our dealer network. It is completely appropriate to make this introduction at Unmanned Systems 2015 — the industry’s largest gathering of unmanned aerial vehicle professionals.”

According to TJ Diaz, President & CEO of xFold, “This introduction of the xFold line through Stampede joins together the world’s best multi-rotor sUAV platforms with the world’s best channel sales team in North America.  I believe that this partnership will help to bring the benefits of our technology to more commercial markets, faster.”

While xFold offers a complete line of multi-rotor sUAV platforms to choose from, Kelly said that Stampede would be focusing its efforts on marketing the company’s new line of full-featured ultra-professional RTF/ARF sUAV solutions for the commercial AP marketplace.  The XFold Mapper is ideally designed for every type of surveying, inspection, and mapping application.  The xFold Cinema, which features 3D scanners, is designed for high-end feature film and television production.  The xFold Dragon is for real heavy lift and features dual RED EPIC for 3D, fully rigged ARRI ALEXA, heavy scanners (LIDAR), and several sensor options.  Each frame can be configured as Quadcopter, Hexacopter, x8 Octocopter and x12.

The xFold line of sUAVs is so appropriate for the entertainment production industry because the core rig was designed by company co-founder Ziv Marom (www.ZMinteractive.com), an experienced sUAV pilot and cinematographer with years of experience in aerial video and cinematography for feature films that include Expendables 3, HomeFront, Sparks, documentaries, television and other applications.

According to Kelly, Stampede will be offering training programs in conjunction with both xFold and its strategic partner, Unmanned Vehicle University (www.uxvuniversity.com).  “As is our policy at Stampede, we will be bringing a complete solution to market for our broadcast, and film & television customers that includes a wide selection of platform options, training, operator certification, and long-term support.  The comprehensiveness of our offering is what always keeps Stampede ahead of the herd.”

New Yorkers Can Find Out If They Have What It Takes To Be A Professional Drone Pilot

For the second time in two months, New York metropolitan area career hunters will have the chance to find out if they have what it takes to become a certified professional drone operator, as Unmanned Vehicle University (www.uxuuniversity.com) flies into New York on May 14th to host a special three-day seminar at The Regus Business Center located at 340 Madison Avenue (19thFloor). Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Unmanned Vehicle University is the only university in the world that is licensed to offer graduate degree programs in Unmanned Systems Engineering Engineering and Project Management Certificates in unmanned systems technology.

“According to the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of the unmanned systems and robotics communities, the rapid adoption of drones in a wide variety of commercial markets is going to create more than 100,000 jobs and $82-billion in economic impact over the next ten years,” Unmanned Vehicle University Provost John Minor said today.  “I don’t think there’s another career field creating as many opportunities as this anywhere in the United States, let alone the world.”

The range of career opportunities waiting to be filled in a variety of commercial markets is vast and growing larger every day, according to Minor — Delivery and fulfillment, Logistics, Security and Law Enforcement, First Responders, Wildfire Management, Search and Rescue, News Gathering, Photography, Film and Television Production, Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration, Disaster Relief, Live Event Production, Agriculture, and Real Estate top the list of an ever growing number of commercial markets.  “As FAA regulations become finalized, and they will, you are going to see drones incorporated into just about every industry known to man,” Minor asserted.  “Drones reduce risk, save money, and dramatically increase the productivity of every field they are used in.”

The New York seminar, which runs from May 14 to May 17, is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive introduction unmanned aerial vehicles and the many high paying career opportunities this rapidly growing field is likely to create over the next ten years. “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, have already revolutionized the way our military conducts field operations,” Unmanned Vehicle University Provost John Minor said today.

For $1,499, participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to one of the fastest growing career opportunities in the world.  “Our three-day seminar is optimal for people looking to increase their UAV employment opportunities, start their own UAV business, or begin a career as a UAV Pilot,” Minor said. “Plus, the seminar counts as four credits towards a univesity degree program.”

For more information on registration, visithttp://www.uxvuniversity.com/. Any active duty member of the United States Armed Forces will automatically receive a $100 discount off the $1,499 seminar fee.  Please call 602-759-7372or email jroetzer@uxvuniverstiy.com to claim your coupon code for online ordering.

Earn Drone/UAV Pilot Training Certificates From Home — Thanks to Unmanned Vehicle University's Four-Week Program

If you’re interested in becoming certified to pilot or operate an unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, but can’t take the time away from a full time job to do so, you now have a way to do both — thanks to Unmanned Vehicle University’s (www.uxvuniversity.com) two week Drone/UAV Pilot Training Certificate Program. UVU is showcasing all of the certification opportunities at Unmanned Systems 2015 in the Georgia World Congress Center at booth #1508. 

According to John Minor, Provost of the Phoenix, Arizona-based university, which is the only university in the world licensed to offer graduate degree programs in Unmanned Systems Engineering, students can take the three-phase Drone/UAV Pilot Training Certificate Program from home without jeopardizing their current full-time jobs. “Now you can prepare for a lifetime career as a drone pilot without having to quit your current job to do so,” Minor said today. Minor further emphasized, “It’s been estimated that the rapid adoption of drones in a wide variety of commercial markets is going to create more than 100,000 jobs and have an $82-billion economic impact over the next ten years — but to have a career in this exciting new industry you have to be certified to operate a drone safely and effectively.” 

No college degree or prior experience is required to participate in the university’s program.  The Drone/UAV Pilot Training Program consists of three phases.  Phases one and two are conducted at home using a flight simulator and taking online academics.  Phase three is conducted by one of the university’s expert flight instructors at one of the university’s flight schools located around the country.  At the end of the program, successful students will receive the university’s UAV Pilot Certificate showing they have completed 10 hours of simulator training, 16 hours of ground school, and 16 hours of flight training for a total of 42 hours of comprehensive operator training.  

“Once students complete the enrollment process, they are assigned log-in instructions for the ground school and we ship a simulator to their residence," Minor explained. "The entire program can be completed in a little over two weeks, with two weeks of home study and two days of intensive flight training."

Once students have earned their Pilot/Operators Certificate they can get started on a life-long career that offers positions paying as much as $275,000 per-year in a wide variety of commercial markets that include Delivery and fulfillment, Logistics, Security and Law Enforcement, First Responders, Wildfire Management, Search and Rescue, News Gathering, Photography, Film and Television Production, Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration, Disaster Relief, Live Event Production, Agriculture, and Real Estate.  And these just top the list of an ever-growing number of commercial markets. “As FAA regulations become finalized, and they will, you are going to see drones incorporated into just about every industry known to man,” Minor asserted.  “Drones reduce risk, save money, and dramatically increase the productivity of every field they are used in.”

The cost of Unmanned Vehicle University’s Drone/UAV Pilot Training Certificate Program is $3,500.  In addition, if you take one of Unmanned Vehicle University’s seminars held around the country, you will also get a free drone. For more information, visit UVU at Unmanned Systems 2015 in the Georgia World Congress Center at booth #1508, or contact Josh Roetzer at +1 (716) 866-2827 or jroetzer@uxvuniversity.com.