Drones & Aerial Robotics Conference at NYU

Call for Proposals (closes May 27)
Drones & Aerial Robotics Conference
October 11-13, 2013
NYU School of Law

The program committee of the inaugural Drones & Aerial Robotics Conference (DARC) is now inviting proposals from individuals across a broad spectrum of expertise. DARC will convene a wide range of stakeholders to explore civilian drones and their impact on society. The conference is presented by the Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy at NYU School of Law and will be held October 11-13, 2013. We invite contributions from all interested disciplines on or before May 27, 2013.

ABOUT DARC

What do hobbyists, journalists, university researchers, soldiers, and police all have in common? They’re all testing or using aerial robotics, commonly called “drones.”

Imagine a near future in which networks of autonomous robots roam the skies, performing everything from law enforcement, to communications, to crop dusting, shipping and logistics. Sound implausible? It might be. But that’s the future that the aerospace industry, the FAA, and a new class of entrepreneurs are busy preparing. And this future is closer to reality than many realize. Drones force a broad reconsideration of the laws and regulatory frameworks that protect vital interests like civil liberties, due process, privacy, innovation, and security. But they also herald new innovations and new public interest applications.

These technologies are powered by some of the same phenomena that propel the mobile industry—Moore’s law, economies of scale, and ever more sophisticated software built by large companies or open source hackers. Anyone can buy a toy drone at the mall for $299, assemble a relatively capable DIY drone for $1000, or buy a sophisticated $50,000 aircraft for amateur photogrammetry.

As the FAA scrambles to meet its 2015 integration deadline—which will open domestic airspace to hobby aircraft as well as the types of aircraft that currently fly over Afghanistan—DARC provides a forum for entrepreneurs, policy makers, and civil libertarians to constructively engage. Join us this Fall to explore this fascinating, emergent space.

PROPOSALS

There are few technologies that stimulate such deep and wide-ranging questions about law, technology, and international relations. We welcome all proposals, but please stay substantive and constructive. This list is not exhaustive, but we invite proposals along the following lines:

• Anecdotal talks
• Popular research
• Demos or tutorials
• Scholarly research
• Constructive discussions

Proposals should address — but are not limited to — our five main areas of interest:

• General Interest & Zeitgeist
• Makers & Entrepreneurs
• Law & Regulation
• Privacy & Surveillance
• Security

Proposals can be submitted via the conference website at https://droneconference.org/proposals. Proposals will be accepted until May 27, 2013. Questions may be sent to contact@droneconference.org

Kate Darling

Kate Darling