On November 10, 2017, AMP SoCal, in partnership with the Tesla Foundation hosted an interactive event focusing on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufacturing at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Information about available industry resources were discussed, and company representatives were requested to share existing R&D and workforce development needs in order to assist us in creating programs/services to meet the demand. The event was unique in that a large online cohort was able to be a part of the discussion due to live streaming capabilities. The deep interest in UAVs and manufacturing, combined with the technological access for those who were unable to make the journey to Los Angeles, contributed to the event being the most well attended AMP SoCal Innovation Forum to date.
The event featured the following speakers and industry leaders:
Featured Presentation:
- Josh Friedman, Owner
One Zero Digital Media, LLC
FAA Certified Drone Pilot
Facilitated Roundtable Discussion:
- Keith Kaplan, CEO/Co-Founder
Tesla Foundation
Employment Needs:
- Richard Verches, LA Director
California Community Colleges, Los Angeles Orange County Regional Consortium (LAOCRC)
IUCRC Initiative
- Dion Jackson, Program Director
USC Center for Economic Development – AMP SoCal
AMP SoCal holds Innovation Forums every quarter. These events are designed to connect small- and medium-manufacturing businesses with federal research and development funding opportunities or new technology.
The Tesla Foundation is a Science and Technology Think Tank specializing in “All Things Autonomous” and the transition to the 4th Stage of the Industrial Revolution. Just as our workforce migrated from “Farm to Factory” we are now seeing a similar process taking place from “Factory to Autonomous Applications.” Robots have left the building, our students, educators, and workforce must be educated and transitioned to live and thrive in a hyper-connected virtual and robotic labor force. This is the mission and purpose of the Tesla Foundation, to move at the pace of technology with science, creativity, value, integrity, trust, and urgency to foster a better today and tomorrow.