The GoAERO Prize, a global competition committed to catalyzing the creation of Emergency Response Flyers that rescue people in danger and respond to disaster wherever it is found, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Airborne International Response Team (AIRT), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) for public safety and disaster response. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development and application of uncrewed Emergency Response Flyers, which underlines a shared commitment to using cutting-edge aerial solutions to save lives. 

Since 2017, AIRT teams have advanced the use of UAS for emergency and disaster response across a wide range of complex incidents. AIRT serves as the official home of the DRONERESPONDERS program, with over 10,000 members advancing public safety drone operations in more than 85 countries.

This alliance pairs the GoAERO Prize’s mission to foster innovations in emergency response with AIRT’s expertise in Drones For Good® and DRONERESPONDERS’ focus on public safety UAS, setting the stage for transformative advancements in aerial capabilities for emergency operations for all types of incidents.

AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS will leverage their extensive network of public safety and UAS experts to help mentor GoAERO teams.

"Partnering with AIRT enables us to push the boundaries of innovation in aerial emergency response technology, ensuring these advancements directly benefit those on the front lines of emergency and disaster response," said Gwen Lighter, CEO of GoAERO. 

“We are extremely excited to join the GoAERO mission of advancing life-saving capabilities through the development of new and much needed uncrewed aviation systems and related technology,” said Christopher Todd, Executive Director, AIRT.  “The group of partners dedicated to this effort includes the finest aviation, technology, and public safety organizations spanning  government, industry, and the non-profit sectors.”

Stay tuned for more information on the partnership. You can form a GoAERO team at www.heroX.com/goaero. 

About the GoAERO Prize
GoAERO was founded to create transformative flight technologies that save lives. Our mission is both to originate innovative aerial solutions that respond to challenges posed by natural disasters, medical emergencies, climate change, and humanitarian crises---and to create a collaborative network across industry, government, and aviation and first responder organizations to ensure the safe and effective future deployment of these life-saving aircraft.

In 2024, GoAERO launched the GoAERO Prize, which is a global competition committed to inspiring the creation of Emergency Response Flyers that rescue people in danger and respond to disaster wherever it is found. With more than $2 million in prizes, the competition will create safe, portable, robust, autonomy-enabled flyers. Teams competing in the GoAERO Prize will compete over a three-year period and benefit from expert mentorship, global exposure, access to software, products and services, and monetary prizes. To register a team or learn more about GoAERO Prize, please visit: GoAEROprize.com.

About AIRT
Based in Miami, Florida, AIRT® is the leading 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting the use of Drones For Good®.  AIRT offers a wide range of educational programming, training events, and mission-critical support to advance public safety and emergency UAS operations.   AIRT is the official home of the DRONERESPONDERS® program, with more than 10,000 members serving over 85 countries.  For more information, visit: http://airt.ngo or http://droneresponders.org

Source: GoAERO Prize