FLYING LABS: HARNESSING THE POWER OF ROBOTICS FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE CREATION
The project’s objective is to accelerate the application of robotics technologies to address social and environmental problems, and catalyze entrepreneurship around robotics-as-a-service, by creating a regional innovation hub (Panama Flying Lab). Spearheaded by the non-profit organization, WeRobotics, Flying Labs are regional innovation hubs that aim to accelerate and scale the impact of humanitarian and development efforts using appropriate robotics solutions. Flying Labs are co-created with both local partners (universities, NGOs, community organizations and/or governments) and technology partners[1] (robotics manufacturers, associated technology/software companies and research institutes), and are guided by the Drone Code of Conduct for Social Good[2].
[1] WeRobotics’ technology partners, including leading drone manufacturers (DJI, Parrot, others?) and software providers (ESRI, Pix4D), play a key role in making this technology and knowledge accessible to local partners.
[2] Developed through a consultative process starting in 2014, this code of conduct aims to inform the safe, coordinated, and effective use of drones in a range of humanitarian and development settings, providing guidelines on data sensitivity, community engagement, effective partnerships, and conflict sensitivity. WeRobotics’ founders were among the leaders in developing these guidelines.
In essence, Flying Labs make the connection between local problems and potential solutions offered by appropriate robotics technologies. A core function of Flying Labs is to provide ongoing training to local organizations (NGOs, public agencies, etc.) in the skills and knowledge necessary to use robotics safely, ethically, and effectively. While emphasis is placed on utilizing existing robotics technologies, particularly drones given their relative maturity, Labs are also able to research and customize robotics technologies to address particular problems where current solutions may prove insufficient.
The Flying Lab model consists of four main elements: (i) building local capacity through strategic business model advice, skills training, and technology transfer; (ii) implementing projects using robotics technology to address social and environmental challenges; (iii) building the local robotics ecosystem and regional network by bringing together different stakeholders (universities, companies, incubators, governments, NGOs, etc.) and sharing best practices and lessons learned; and (iv) sparking entrepreneurship and job creation around these Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. With Flying Labs established in Nepal, Tanzania, and Peru[1], the global network continues to grow, allowing for cross-fertilization of experiences across regions, as well as the creation of a critical mass of use cases to further build the evidence base for the use of drones for social good.[2] Ultimately, the aim is to build a global network of robotics capacity able to meet mounting demand for the use of these technologies.[3]
[1] Established in late 2016, Peru Flying Lab has been testing drone cargo delivery of anti-venom medication in the Amazon and played a key role in the response to severe flooding in Northern Peru in March/April 2017. Together with others, the Lab helped to rapidly map over 7,000ha in 3 days, providing the government with high-resolution aerial images to help search and rescue efforts and assess damage.
[2] Over the next three years, WeRobotics aims to consolidate a network of 6-8 regional Flying Labs that can serve as innovation hubs for surrounding countries (West and East Africa, Southern Africa, Himalayas, Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Central and South America).
[3] WeRobotics has already begun to channel consulting requests it receives to the Labs who can then provide the services directly.