WeRobotics
{{Short description|Humanitarian Robotics Organization}}
{{buzzword|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = WeRobotics
| logo = WeRobotics logo.png
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| type =
| industry =
| predecessor =
| founded = {{Start date|2015|12|}}
| founders = Sonja Betschart, Patrick Meier, Andrew Schroeder and Adam Klaptocz
| defunct =
| fate =
| successor =
| hq_location = Wilmington, United States / Geneva, Switzerland
| hq_location_city =
| hq_location_country =
| area_served = Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Caribbean
| key_people =
| products = Civilian drones, data, and AI for social good applications
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| parent =
| website = [https://werobotics.org/ WeRobotics]
}}
WeRobotics is a Swiss-American global social impact organization with a non-profit status which helps communities globally leverage technology solutions that adapt to their local contexts and needs using civilian drones (UAVs), data and AI technologies, founded in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Farr |first=Christina |date=2017-11-14 |title=Delivering medical supplies into the remote Amazon is a big challenge, but drones could help |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/13/werobotics-testing-drone-medical-supply-delivery-in-amazon-rain-forest.html |access-date=2021-11-29 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Kelli |date=6 November 2017 |title=Drone, meet the humanitarian cluster approach |url=https://www.devex.com/news/drone-meet-the-humanitarian-cluster-approach-91436 |work=Devex}}{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=Nicole |date=2022-04-20 |title=Service drones streamline health supply chains in the Global South |url=https://www.itu.int/hub/2022/04/drones-healthcare-supply-chain/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=ITU Hub |language=en-US}} The organization has 41 independent Flying Labs as of 2023 that are located in the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=Moving on from WeRobotics, with Gratitude |url=https://irevolutions.org/2023/02/06/moving-on-with-gratitude/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=iRevolutions |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=Our |date=2022-05-12 |title=Redwing Labs, Flying Labs collaborate as technology partner |url=https://www.itln.in/cargo-drones/redwing-labs-flying-labs-collaborate-as-technology-partner-1345390 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=www.itln.in |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wight |first=Andrew |title=Who Is Flying Drones In Namibia And What Are They Doing? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwight/2024/04/10/who-is-flying-drones-in-namibia-and-what-are-they-doing/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
History
WeRobotics incorporated on December 15, 2015, as a 501c3 organization from a collaboration of two existing initiatives: UAViator and Drone Adventures, initiated by 4 Co-Founders: Sonja Betschart and Adam Klaptocz of Drone Adventures based in Switzerland, and Patrick Meier and Andrew Schroeder of UAViators based in the U.S.{{Cite web |title=Drones for good 2.0: How WeRobotics is redefining the use of unmanned systems in developing countries - Robohub |url=https://robohub.org/drones-for-good-2-0-how-werobotics-is-redefining-the-use-of-unmanned-systems-in-developing-countries/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=robohub.org}}{{Cite web |title=How bug-delivering drones are helping defeat deadly diseases |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/how-bug-delivering-drones-are-helping-defeat-deadly-diseases-ncna826691 |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=NBC News |date=5 December 2017 |language=en}}
In 2016, WeRobotics in partnership with Rockefeller Foundation tested the development of local knowledge hubs focused on drones and other robotics applications in three countries: Nepal, Tanzania and Peru, which resulted in setup of first Flying Labs.{{Cite web |last=Peralta |first=Joseph |date=2018-08-29 |title=Motivating Change: How the Data Revolution Can Feed the Next Green Revolution |url=https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/insights/perspective/motivating-change-data-revolution-can-feed-next-green-revolution/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=The Rockefeller Foundation |language=en-US}} In 2017, WeRobotics started collaboration with USAID, Hewlett Foundation, IADB, and MIT Solve.{{Cite web |title=Join our Drone Training in Tanzania! |url=https://werobotics.org/blog/drone-training-in-tanzania |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=WeRobotics |language=en-US}} In the same year, WeRobotics launched new Flying Labs in Fiji and Panama to explore activities in the South Pacific and Central America.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-11 |title=Meet the Youngest Drone Pilots in Fiji |url=https://irevolutions.org/2018/04/11/meet-the-youngest-drone-pilots-in-fiji/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=iRevolutions |language=en}} In 2018, WeRobotics introduced its network model to allow for scale of the Flying Labs Network. By end of 2018, the network grew to 17 independent Flying Labs globally which further grew to 41 in December 2023, it has enlarged its funders and partners, adding to the list the Autodesk Foundation, IADB, Omidyar Network, Fondation Botnar, Jansen PrimeSteps Foundation, World Bank and WFP to mention few.{{Cite web |title=Autodesk Foundation and WeRobotics team up to reduce the spread of Zika Virus in Brazil – Por Dentro da Autodesk Brasil |url=https://blogs.autodesk.com/por-dentro-da-autodesk-brasil/2019/07/25/autodesk-foundation-and-werobotics-team-up-to-reduce-the-spread-of-zika-virus-in-brazil/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=blogs.autodesk.com}}{{Cite web |title=Systems Innovation |url=https://werobotics.org/our-work/systems-innovation |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=WeRobotics |language=en-US}} In 2022, Sonja Betschart, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, was selected for Ashoka Fellow in Switzerland, and she appeared on 2024 list of 50 Over 50 by Forbes.{{Cite web |title=ASHOKA WELCOMES SONJA BETSCHART AS A NEW FELLOW {{!}} Ashoka |url=https://www.ashoka.org/en-ch/story/ashoka-welcomes-sonja-betschart-new-fellow |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.ashoka.org |language=en-ch}}{{Cite web |last=McGrath |first=Maggie |title=50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East And Africa 2024 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2024/01/09/50-over-50-europe-middle-east-and-africa-2024/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
Activities
Since 2016, WeRobotics has worked with communities to create knowledge hubs, called Flying Labs, to support and train local partners to address local problems with technology solutions by deploying technology for social good applications (defined as applications that link to one or several SDGs), including drone data collection & analysis and transportation.{{Cite web |title=Automation for sustainable development {{!}} Engineer Live |url=https://www.engineerlive.com/content/automation-sustainable-development |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=www.engineerlive.com|date=14 August 2017 }}{{Cite web |date=2016-02-17 |title=Aerial Robotics for Search & Rescue: State of the Art? |url=https://irevolutions.org/2016/02/17/aerial-robotics-search-and-rescue/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=iRevolutions |language=en}}
= 2015-2020 =
In 2016, WeRobotics in Nepal established the Katmandu Flying Lab which helps in creating and supplying of maps during natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides.{{Cite news |title=When Disaster Strikes, He Creates A 'Crisis Map' That Helps Save Lives |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/10/02/495795717/when-disaster-strikes-he-creates-a-crisis-map-that-helps-save-lives |access-date=2021-11-28 |work=NPR.org |language=en}} In 2017, WeRobotics in Peru helped in addressing the Peruvian Amazon basin medical issues, and Amazon animal bites by rapid deployment of health care resources using UAVs.{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Angus |date=2017-02-13 |title=A $40,000 Drone Failed To Lift Off. But There Was A Silver Lining |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/02/13/514988364/a-40-000-drone-failed-to-lift-off-but-there-was-a-silver-lining |access-date=2021-11-28 |work=NPR |language=en}} In March 2018, in collaboration with the Insect Pest Control Laboratory of the International Atomic Energy Agency and during a Zika virus outbreak, WeRobotics introduced 284,200 sterile male mosquitoes around Carnaíba do Sertão, Brazil to interrupt the reproductive behavior of the fertile mosquitoes.{{Cite web |last1=Wu |first1=Katherine J. |title=Do Not Fear the Drones Air-Dropping 50,000 Mosquitoes From Above |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/do-not-fear-drones-air-dropping-50000-mosquitoes-above-180970068/ |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}
In May 2018, WeRobotics ran an event to update and expand the Humanitarian UAV Code of Conduct.{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=
= 2021-present =
In 2021, the company released a children's picture book called Ariel & Friends about the use of drones for social good.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-21 |title=New picture book series on drones celebrates local expertise and culture |url=https://dronedj.com/2021/09/21/new-picture-book-series-on-drones-celebrates-local-expertise-and-culture/ |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=DroneDJ |language=en-US}} Since 2022, Flying Labs in Uganda has been helping mitigate risks for coffee farmers by capturing multispectral and RGB imagery via drones with cameras to help spot crop health issues that are often invisible to the human eye alone.{{Cite web |title=Uganda Flying Labs aids coffee farmers, using drones and GIS |url=https://www.esri.com/en-us/lg/industry/natural-resources/stories/uganda-flying-labs-case-study |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.esri.com |language=en-us}} Flying Labs works with World Vision in implementation of various projects, like in large scale reforestation in Kenya in 2021,{{Cite web |title=Drones Are Helping Large-Scale Reforestation Efforts in Kenya |url=https://blog.flyinglabs.org/2021/07/07/drones-are-helping-large-scale-reforestation-efforts-in-kenya/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Flying Labs Blog |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Johnson |first=Khari |title=Drones May Help Replant Forests—If Enough Seeds Take Root |url=https://www.wired.com/story/drones-replant-forests-seeds-take-root/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}} and in farmer-managed natural regeneration in Tanzania.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Regenerative farming solutions in Tanzania with PIX4Dfields |url=https://www.pix4d.com/blog/Regenerative-farming-Tanzania-PIX4Dfields |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Pix4D |language=en-US}}
In May 2022, Kenyan Flying Labs with EPFL's Laboratory of Urban Transport Systems (LUTS), launched a joint experiment to test LUTS' innovative approach to traffic congestion in Nairobi.{{Cite journal |last=Brouet |first=Anne-Muriel |date=2022-07-13 |title=Monitoring city mobility from the skies |url=https://actu.epfl.ch/news/monitoring-city-mobility-from-the-skies/ |journal=EPFL News |language=en}} {{Cite web |title=An Ambitious Drone Traffic Monitoring Experiment with Kenya Flying… |url=https://werobotics.org/blog/an-ambitious-drone-traffic-monitoring-experiment-with-kenya-flying-labs |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=WeRobotics |language=en-US}} Flying Labs helps in surveying of land for irrigation and agriculture in Burkina Faso.{{Cite web |last=Wight |first=Andrew |title=What Are Drones Doing Cheaper And Faster In Burkina Faso? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwight/2024/01/17/what-are-drones-doing--cheaper-and-faster-in-burkina-faso/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}