Name: Minds On Design Lab
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This week we bring you Session 3 of WeRobotics Global 2017, entitled “Transforming Transportation”. The first speaker was Judith Sherman from UNICEF who highlighted the field tests being carried out in Malawi, using cargo robotics to transport HIV samples in order to accelerate HIV testing and treatment. UNICEF has also launched an air corridor in Malawi to enable further field-testing of flying robots. Judith’s presentation slides.

Next was Oriol Lopez from Médecins Sans Frontières, who shared their approach to cargo delivery using aerial robotics. Oriol shared examples from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and emphasized the importance of localizing appropriate robotics solutions that can be maintained by community members. He also called for the launch of PNG Flying Labs. Oriol’s presentation slides.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was unable to attend WeR Global, so WeRobotics cofounders Patrick and Adam gave the talk instead. WeRobotics is teaming up with IAEA to design and test a release mechanism for sterilized mosquitoes in order to reduce the incidence of Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Patrick & Adam’s presentation slides.

Finally, Sidharth Rupani from Llamasoft closed the session with a strong emphasis on the need to collect and share structured data, especially to be able to accurately compare the cost-benefit-analyses of cargo delivery via aerial robotics versus conventional means. Sid used the analogy of self-driving cars to highlight how problematic the current lack of data vis-a-vis reliably evaluating the impact of cargo robotics. Sid’s presentation slides.