I am honored to be elected as your AUVSI New Chapter President. As you know the New England region is a hotbed of innovation in the unmanned vehicle and robotic systems space. We are now becoming known not just for technology but for sorely needed capabilities.
The Chapter and its volunteers are working to help grow the industry by promoting unmanned and robotic system benefits and by working with the legislature to understand issues and reduce regulatory constraints.
The Chapter participates in many regional initiatives, recent activity includes:
- The recent Navy Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) 2019 in Newport RI showcasing the strong New England maritime capabilities and technologies in Undersea Unmanned Vehicles, including Raytheon’s Barracuda Single Sortie Detect to Engage Mine Counter Measures demonstration, General Dynamics BlueFin Mine hunting, and BAE’s new Riptide (small business) acquisition.
- The Robotics Industry Roundtable with Damon Cox, Massachusetts Undersecretary for Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Industry and Academia to aid the Baker administration in preparation for their next Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fiscal Budget and investment strategy for robotics.
- The Massachusetts TechHub Caucus tour together with Senator Crighton and Representative Ferrante around Kendall Square to learn of the innovative technologies and capabilities being developed.
Talking about events, save the date for November 20 as we are deep in the planning phases for our AUVSI New England UAS Summit in Boston. Topics include:
- Enabling UAS discussing policy, technology and test infrastructure
- Countering UAS, where the Massachusetts Counter-UAS Working Group will provide a status
- Advances enabling Urban Air Mobility such as vehicles, infrastructure and low altitude air traffic management.
The AUVSI and the unmanned systems world’s biggest event, XPONENTIAL, will be in Boston next May 4-8, 2020. AUVSI New England is helping to promote State presence at XPONENTIAL and to organize local company (small and large) participation.
To aid the regions innovation culture, the Chapter is starting our new monthly mixer that will be held around Boston, metro-west, north, and south locations, enabling our members to get together and dream up new rewarding opportunities. Additionally we plan for workshop where you can bring your drones to learn various aspects, for example how to fly, or how to take great pictures.
We are not just a chapter working for you, but an opportunity for you to engage, volunteer and become known in the industry. Please let me know if you wish to participate on or lead a committee. We need your help to achieve our goals.
Finally, I would like to thank Jeffrey Adams, Past President, for leading the chapter for the last two years and for winning the coveted AUVSI Chapter Leader of the Year Award announced at XPONENTIAL 2019 in Chicago – Congratulations Jeff!!
I would also like to thank the dedicated members of the board of directors and volunteers who tirelessly serve you, our members.
Sincerely,
Waseem Naqvi
President, AUVSI New England
