Drone Radio Show
Weekly conversations with entrepreneurs and experts about commercial drone technology and business use cases.
Building a Vertically Integrated Drone Ecosystem: Linda Montgomery and Phil Franklin, Zenatech
In this episode, Linda Montgomery and Phil Franklin of Zenotech explain how the company has built a vertically integrated drone ecosystem that spans design, manufacturing, software, and drone‑as‑a‑service operations across multiple continents. They detail their three core drone platforms—Xenodrome 1000 for logistics, IQ NATO for indoor inventory, and IQ Quad for surveying—and reveal new counter‑UAS prototypes aimed at defense markets, with pricing under $5,000 USD. The guests emphasize that rapid data delivery, accuracy, and a subscription‑based service model differentiate Zenotech, while their global supply chain and recent acquisitions enable faster scaling and compliance with U.S. defense requirements.
Smart Materials and the Rise of Ornithopters: Dr. Onur Bilgen, Rutgers University
In this episode, Dr. Onur Bilgen of Rutgers University discusses his decade‑long research into using smart, piezoelectric materials to simplify and improve small unmanned aircraft, especially bio‑inspired flapping‑wing drones called ornithopters. He explains how these materials can act as both...
Inside the Future of Drones: Policy, Security, and What XPONENTIAL 2026 Reveals – with Michael Robbins, AUVSI
In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, host Randy Goers talks with Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI, about the rapid evolution of the drone industry toward secure, scalable operations. Robbins highlights the shift from experimental prototypes to...
Persistent Flight in the Stratosphere - Justin Selfridge, Phd. And CEO of Devorto
In this episode, Dr. Justin Selfridge, founder and CEO of DeVorto, explains the Tethered Uni‑Rotor Network (TURN), a novel aircraft architecture that uses multiple small rotor‑like drones tethered to a central hub and spun to keep ultra‑thin wings under tension,...
Uncrewed Systems in the Arctic: Security, Surveillance, and NATO's Growing Role - Federico Borsari, CEPA
In this episode, Federico Borsari of the Center for European Policy Analysis explains how uncrewed systems are becoming essential for security, surveillance, and infrastructure protection in the Arctic. He outlines the shifting NATO threat picture—driven by Russia’s expanding presence, NATO’s...
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
In this episode, Melissa Swisher, CRO of SkySafe, explains how airspace intelligence is evolving to protect large venues like stadiums from unauthorized drones. She highlights the biggest gaps in current drone defense—lack of real‑time detection, attribution, and actionable analytics—and how...
Making Autonomous Cargo Work at Real-World Scale: Charles Acknin, CEO Skyways
In this episode, Charles Acknin, CEO of Skyways, discusses how his company is moving autonomous cargo drones from prototype to operational scale, highlighting real‑world missions that deliver substantial payloads for military and commercial clients. He explains the technical and regulatory...
Securing the Skies: Detecting and Responding to Drone Threats - Logan Harris, CEO Spotter Global
In this episode, Logan Harris discusses the escalating threat posed by drones and how Spotter Global’s compact radar and Remote ID solutions are being deployed to safeguard critical infrastructure and large public events. He explains the evolution from military‑focused surveillance...