How Combining Drones and Data Creates Unexpected Solutions

Both pilots and companies are navigating a thin line between security and innovation. Host Grant Guillot talks with leaders, influencers, and experts across the drone industry to guide us through the complex web of technology and policy in the United States.

 

Data is an enterprise’s most valuable resource; however, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to collect and process. That’s especially true for drone data. New technology is changing the game. Discussing the importance of data in drone evolution, Drones in America host Grant Guillot spoke with Romeo Durscher, VP of Public Safety at Auterion. Auterion provides an open-source drone platform.

Durscher is new to Auterion. He spent six years at DJI and 12 years at Stanford University working on NASA projects.

“I’m happy to go back to my roots at Auterion, working on something to allow enterprise customers the ability to scale up. It’s hard to do that without integrated data workflows,” Durscher explained.

The challenge with managing a fleet and data collection is that entities use various drones with different applications. “Most have multiple size aircraft for missions, so that’s more platforms and sensors. So users need to be able to switch seamlessly via integration and one platform,” Durscher added.

The answer to easier management and keeping the data pipeline moving is a standard user interface that works with any device. Durscher also spoke about the public safety element, an area of the industry in which he’s an expert.

“For public safety, live video feed is helpful. It allows for quicker, better decisions. That data can then flow into incident management software. The data goes directly into the platform and starts processing. You don’t ever have to touch it.” Durscher said.

Conversely, without such a platform, users depend too heavily on SD cards, which was the data storage vehicle. It’s not sustainable or scalable. “Standardizing data collection and workflows is necessary. The importance is in the data, so a drone’s brain should be integrated a flight controller, mission computer, and connectivity.”

More About Romeo Durscher

Romeo Durscher is Vice President of Public Safety at Auterion, the premier operating systems for commercial drones. Born and raised in Switzerland, Romeo came to Auterion after 6 years at DJI, where he built the public safety vertical and has become one of the trusted leaders and evangelists in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration and deployment. Prior to joining the drone industry he spent 13 years at NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

As part of his work advising first responders and humanitarian organizations, collaborating with R&D teams on hardware and software solutions and expanding the drone ecosystem, Romeo has actively participated in drone
missions for search and rescue operations, natural disasters, such as the Tubbs, Carr and Camp Fires in California, emergency responses & various training exercises. He has led global partnerships like with the European Emergency Number Association (EENA), which has developed protocols for public safety officials to integrate drones into their workflows.

Commercial UAV News named Romeo one of the 25 most influential people in the commercial drone industry, as well as one of the top 7 drone visionaries in emergency response & public safety. Romeo has appeared in media forums from ABC’s Good Morning America to Wired magazine.

Romeo can be found on Twitter at @RomeoCH.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romeodurscher/

Auterion: www.auterion.com

See Previous Episodes of Drones In America Here

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

DXpedition
Icom Powers 3Y0K : Ham Radio’s Most Ambitious DXpedition to Remote Bouvet Island Part 1
July 11, 2025

Bouvet Island sits at the edge of the world. It is frozen, uninhabited, and almost impossible to access. Fewer people have set foot there than in space. That level of remoteness is exactly what makes it so valuable to amateur radio operators. The island ranks tenth on ClubLog’s list of Most Wanted DXCC entities,…

Read More
entrepreneurial success
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
July 10, 2025

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…

Read More
Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More