AUVSI XPONENTIAL

The world of unmanned vehicle and robotics technology takes center stage in Orlando, Florida

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is bringing this year’s XPONENTIAL 2022  to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event, which runs from April 25 – 28, will feature three days of educational programming and more than 400 exhibitors representing all aspects of the unmanned vehicle and robotics industries showcasing their latest technology to attendees from all over the world.

So, what’s on tap for this year’s XPONENTIAL 2022? Plenty!

The week kicks off on Monday, April 25, with an exhibitors’ reception from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Events planned for Tuesday, April 26, include the first of the week's three keynote sessions from 9:00 – 10:15 am, after which the XPO Hall and outdoor demonstrations – the trade show part of XPONENTIAL – will officially open. The Take 5 Networking Break, which is open to VIP and full-conference pass registrants only, will run from 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm. The day will conclude with the Chairperson's Reception for invitees and VIP Pass registrants from 5:30 – 6:30 pm.

Wednesday’s agenda will follow a similar format with the second keynote address from 9:00 – 10:30 am; another Take 5 Networking Break for VIP and full conference pass holders from 2:00 – 2:30 pm; and something new called AUVSI 50 — Defining the Next 50, which will be open to all pass holders with a separate event ticket from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Everything wraps up on Thursday with the final keynote address of the week from 9:00 – 10:15 am and ending with the closing of XPO Hall at 3:00 pm. Educational programming will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm, and on Thursday from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm.

Exhibit Hall

The exhibit hall — dubbed XPO Hall — opens for business on Tuesday morning at 10:30, and you can rest assured there will be plenty of things to see and do. More than 400 exhibitors will occupy the Orange County Convention Center to show off their latest technology and products covering all aspects of unmanned vehicle and robotics design, manufacturing, and use, including air, ground, surface, subsurface, space systems, weapons systems, security systems, engineering and R&D, propulsion systems, sensors, electronics, fabrication, imaging, and communications systems.

In addition to the normal array of exhibitors, this year’s XPO Hall will feature several new tech pavilions designed to get attendees up close and personal with the latest ground-breaking, industry-wide innovations. The Automated Goods Movement demonstration area, powered by the AUVSI Ground Advocacy Group, will give attendees some insight into the technologies being used to supply people with the goods they want and need. The Future Mobility Pavilion is where attendees will be able to learn how urban air mobility and automated shuttles will provide the new, eco-friendly transportation modes of the future. And finally, the Maritime Pavilion, powered by the AUVSI Maritime Advocacy Committee, will give attendees an opportunity to check out the latest trends in surface and subsurface technologies. The Startup Xcelerator Pavilion will once again highlight young, innovative companies looking to gain traction on their way to the future, and an outdoor demo area will allow companies to show off technology unrestricted by the indoor confines of the XPO Hall.

This year, four international pavilions have registered to showcase the technology being developed in Quebec, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland, and the United States will be geographically well-represented with six State Pavilions exhibiting the latest innovations and resources from Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

Educational Program

Those seeking the latest cutting-edge information about unmanned vehicles and robotics technology can attend a variety of courses and seminars at XPONENTIAL 2022. This year's program has been structured a little differently than past conferences.

Linear Program/Trajectory

This part of the program, which is designed to establish a foundation for the presentations and discussions that will occur in the breakout sessions, will feature experts addressing key obstacles to assured autonomy, public trust, and scaling operations. The perspectives offered will focus on some of the regulatory, technical, and business issues that will impact these systems.

Breakout Sessions/Pathways

The breakout sessions are where attendees will go to participate in dedicated forums relevant to their industries, work, and interests. These sessions, broken into eight overall themes, will offer a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A segments specifically tailored to a wide variety of topics such as:

  • Managing and Analyzing Imagery at Scale: From Drone to GeoAI
  • Automation, AI & Blockchain: The Keys to Unlock BVLOS
  • The Future of Managed Data for the Unmanned Industry
  • Small Form Factor Computing for Autonomous Vehicle Control and Payloads
  • How 5G is Changing the UAS Industry

Solutions Theater

The Solutions Theater is designed to give exhibitors a dedicated area where they can present their latest developments and technology. Some of the presentations you will be able to see include:

  • LuftCar - Hydrogen Powered Multi-Mode Autonomous eVTOL Flying Car
  • GT25 Gyrotrak - Versatile Workhorse Based on Gyrocopter Technology
  • 100% Silicon Anode Batteries via Silicon Nanowire Platform
  • GNSS Jamming: Detect and Mitigate Today!
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Transforming the Electric Market

AUVSI will also hold its AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards Ceremony in the Solutions Theater on Wednesday, April 27, from 1:30 - 2:00 pm.

Sandbox

No, this isn't a play area to temporarily escape show floor fatigue. It's a dedicated space for problem solving and concept exploration by industry leaders, researchers, and academic institutions. How does it work? Participants who reserve space in the Sandbox can share their problem/research/discussion topic with conference attendees, industry experts, and anyone else who cares to join them. Think of it as a brainstorming roundtable...without the table. Some of the sessions already scheduled include:

  • Building the Case Studies for the Global Handbook of Military Drones
  • Minimizing Bird Kill While Flying in Ground Effect
  • Book Signing - Umanned Aircraft Systems Legal and Business Considerations - A Primer for the Drone Industry

Crossroads: Progress Through Specialized Workshops

This year's XPONENTIAL will feature a number of collaborative workshops designed to focus attention on how current and future unmanned technologies will impact the world we live in. Some of the topics to be addressed in these workshops include:

  • Robotics for Conservation
  • Assured Autonomy Through Safety Performance Monitoring
  • Translating Sustainability
  • The Safety Target

Co-Located Events

AUVSI has arranged for some of the top industry organizations to host events in conjunction with XPONENTIAL 2022, giving attendees an opportunity to further their training and education in the areas of public safety, weather, law, education, defense acquisition, and maintenance and repair. Some of the co-located events include:

  • The Law-Tech Connect Workshop by P3
  • UAS Repair and Maintenance Workshop
  • NCAR UAS Weather Forum
  • Automated Goods Movement Summit

After Hours

If you have any energy left over after the show, why not take advantage of some of the recreational amenities available in Orlando, one of America's premier vacation destinations? Spend some time at one of the many theme parks like Walt Disney World, visit the iconic — and amusing — WonderWorks scientific entertainment center, or maybe check out the nearby Kennedy Space Center. Whatever you choose to do with your free time, it will make your visit to XPONENTIAL 2022 that much more enjoyable.

For more information, visit here .