In partnership with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Pittsburgh Technology Council presented the "Dual Use Autonomy and Drone" panel discussion at CES 2025.

Mike Embrescia of Carnegie Robotics moderated a panel of experts in robotics and autonomy, focusing on the developments and impact within the Pittsburgh area.  Panelists included:

• Phil Hahn | Chief Strategy Officer, AFWERX
• Xiaoyu Kaess | COO, Aquatonomy
• Olga Pogoda | COO, KEF Robotics
• Sanjiv Singh | CEO & Co-Founder, Near Earth Autonomy

They shared their experiences and challenges related to drone technology, underwater inspections, GPS-denied navigation, and the transition from military to commercial applications.

The panel also addressed the evolving landscape of defense funding and the public's perception of drone technology. LIsten to the whole discussion!

00:00 Introduction to Mike Ambrasia and Carnegie Robotics

00:47 The Rise of Pittsburgh as a Robotics Hub

01:11 The Establishment of NREC and Its Impact

03:25 Introduction of Panel Members

04:25 Panel Discussion: Company Introductions

10:12 Focus on Defense and Military Applications

16:27 The Role of AFWERX and Government Innovation

23:05 Building the National Security Industrial Base

23:15 Leveraging Flexible Platforms for Business Growth

24:50 Balancing Commercial and Defense Revenues

27:25 Exploring Dual-Use Technologies

27:49 Challenges and Opportunities in Drone Technology

33:43 Future of Autonomous Systems and AI

35:26 Audience Q&A

44:08 Concluding Thoughts on Drone Safety and Privacy