Women and Drones: AUVSI Makes a Significant Name Change
If you’ve been in the UAV industry for any period of time, you’re probably familiar with the organization, formerly known as the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, or AUVSI.
It’s the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics.
Yep, you read that correctly…”uncrewed” not “unmanned.”
Recently, in an effort to boost diversity in the drone industry, AUVSI voted on a subtle, yet important change to its name – the word “Uncrewed” replaced “Unmanned.”
The change signaled awareness of a problem and a desire for change. And, make no mistake, it’s a BIG deal.
Unmanned to Uncrewed: A Reason for Change
Innovation and technological advancement are the hallmarks of the commercial drone space, particularly over the last decade.
While hardware and software improvements continue to impress, pilot diversity still requires significant growth.
Along with the official AUVSI name change, they echoed the importance of inclusivity in a press release.
According to AUVSI, “Reflecting on lessons learned in the last 50 years and looking toward the next 50 years of industry growth and evolution, we know that inclusivity accelerates innovation.
“As the leading global trade association for unmanned/uncrewed systems, robotics, and automated air, ground, and maritime vehicle technologies, AUVSI intends to officially adopt the term “uncrewed” to support ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusivity throughout the community.”
By changing “unmanned” to the gender-neutral “uncrewed,” they highlight the desire to support newcomers to the field.
Who’s Currently Piloting the Industry?
Right now, in terms of the amount of registered remote pilots, men dominate the industry.
In fact, the numbers aren’t even close.
For example, in the United Kingdom, it’s estimated that women account for only 4% of all drone pilots, a number reflective of the aerospace industry as a whole.
A study conducted in the United States shows that the majority of the industry is made up of white males, with women accounting for just 6% of pilots.
Minorities also remain underrepresented, with only 10% of pilots identifying as a such.
While these numbers speak to a lack of inclusivity, the news isn’t all bad.
Though still low, the number of women in the industry continues to steadily rise.
In 2016, when the FAA first started the commercial drone certification program, there were only 793 women who registered as drone pilots. By 2021, the number rose to over 19,000!
Compared to the total number of commercial drone pilots, it’s still a small percentage.
But, it’s certainly an encouraging sign.
Women And Drones: Advocates for Diversity in the Drone Industry
Everyone benefits from a diverse workforce.
In fact, diverse teams provide financial returns 33% higher than the industry mean.
And, companies who include more women are more likely to introduce new innovations into the market.
Why? It’s simple, really.
People from different backgrounds often have points of view. These fresh perspectives allow them to identify and solve problems others don’t see.
One organization working to speed the process of diversity is Women And Drones.
The group, which commenced in 2018, works to highlight the inequality of women in the drone industry, advocating for female participation.
They’re not alone in that journey, either.
Their corporate partners include some of the biggest names in the industry, from Skydio, Autel Robotics, and DJI, to software giants such as Pix4D.
In addition to its growing membership and advocacy efforts, the organization offers programs to help educate women about the drone industry, from “Kindergarten to Career.”
Also, the Women and Drones website provides a drone pilot network and career center to women looking for opportunities within existing companies and government organizations.
If you attended CES 2022 or follow industry news, you’ve likely heard of the organization’s annual Women To Watch in UAS Global Awards, now in its 5th year.
The award program elevates the entire UAS/UAM/AAM industry by recognizing individuals and teams making a positive difference.
For this year’s awards, individual honorees included Bronwyn Morgan, Madison Jeffery, Karen DiMeo, and April Lanotte.
Morgan founded Xeo Air, an AI-based drones on-demand, data analytics, and autonomy platform.
As the manager of Swoop Aero‘s flagship medical drone logistics network, Jeffery helps to connect over 1.5 million people with essential medical supplies.
DiMeo, the CEO of AERODiMEO LLC, advises clients on UAVs and other emerging aerospace technologies.
And finally, Lanotte is the STEM lead for NASA‘s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, making aerospace science more accessible to all teachers and students.
These talented, trailblazing women are but a few examples of the women making a positive impact on the UAV industry.
The Takeaways
With such a small percentage of women in the drone industry, just imagine what innovation we’ve missed out on over the years.
The AUVSI name change may seem small, but it’s such an important step toward diversifying the UAS industry.
As organizations such as Women and Drones continue to pave clearer paths to the drone industry, the future is bright for a more diverse workforce.
Kudos to AUVSI. Hopefully others follow suit in the near future.
David Daly - Contributing Author
David Daly, is an award-winning photographer/writer and licensed (FAA) Commercial sUAS pilot. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David is a former Marine Corps officer with a BS in Oceanography and has earned his MBA from the University of Redlands. David has worked for Fortune 100 companies and has a background in aerospace, construction, military/defense, real estate, and technology.
