Usage of drones in cities

Paul Riemens is the CEO RAI Amsterdam, he is former head of the air-traffic management authority in Netherlands and initiator of Amsterdam Drone Week.

What is the main challenge in the usage of drones?
The main challenge what we see in the usage of drones is the cities is urban air mobility. How are we going to use drones in a way that it will be create added value to our society in the day-to-day of our lives. Whether this is on health care, or mobility, it is all about crowd control. Currently we are in the phase where these prototypes and demonstrations are translated into true policies and regulations.

How are cities involved in the Amsterdam Drone Week?
“Last year many cities signed a manifest to show that they have a true understanding on how to use drones in the foreseeable future, they start a project next year. All cities that have these projects are invited to the Amsterdam Drone Week, to show what kind of progress they make in their city. There will be requirements to the authorities like EASA on the European Level, but this is of course a global problem as well. For the UTM as an airspace and its management it is important that we have a clear understanding on how to use the airspace in a safe and efficient way.”