Unmanned Systems

Interoperability Conference

2009

October 26-29, 2009

 Coronado Island Marriott Resort

Coronado, California

A DIRECT CALL FOR CREATING AND SHARING

THE UNIFYING STORY FOR

THE UNMANNED SYSTEMS / ROBOTICS COMMUNITY 

  If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.  

                                                                                                                                                     Lewis Carroll

… “where have we come from, where are we, and where should we—

and where do we want to—go?”

                                     Quote from interviewee for USIC 2009

 This year for the Unmanned Systems Interoperability Conference (USIC 2009), we started with a clean sheet of paper for the program.  We did this because we wanted to increase input of the past conference attendees, sponsors, prior panel members, committee members, organizers and to solicit direct input from government decision makers, state and local officials, industry leaders, and the public to develop the message we want to share and promote with the community.  Our approach was to develop the story themes first and from this, develop the story for the community.

 To do so, we employed a Master Storyteller, Dr. Kendall Haven, www.kendallhaven.com,  (Footnote:  I was asked during the process if that meant a profession liar, and my response was that liars probably don’t remember what stories they tell).  Kendall’s first task was to educate the USIC 2009 Committee / organizers on the importance of story, and he did.  Next, he interviewed 24 people…a cross section of those identified above.  From this, he reported his findings to the USIC Committee and the SD AUVSI Board. 

Here are some of the concerns expressed by a strong majority of interviewees:

•  Interviewees expressed a general (but not universal) dissatisfaction with public and decision maker perceptions of unmanned systems both with the current state of the technology and with its potential and future direction.

• Many expressed a general concern for the current framework for unmanned systems development in the U.S.—with the funding for development, with the funding of government procurement, and with the range, scale, and nature of corporate structures involved in the development of unmanned systems.

•  There is a strong perceived need to find a unifying and unified voice with which to educate, alert, and prepare both public and decision makers about the reality and potential of unmanned systems, and about the risks and dangers of inaction to foster and stimulate rapid future development.

 Next, two central story themes emerged from every interview: 

1) Unmanned Systems (or robots) are worthy of your trust and confidence and can be depended upon (just as you trust and depend upon your TV, cell phone, car, toaster, M-16, or vacuum cleaner). 

2) Unmanned Systems (or robots) save lives, save money, and are more efficient.

 With Key Points identified:

• Two overarching effective themes exist,

• Interviewees generally believe that these themes are not being effectively communicated at present,

• Sets of stories are readily available to communicate both these, and

• Interviewees generally (but not universally) believe that these stories have not and are not being developed and used at present.

So, what kinds of stories can we use to support and enhance the central themes?

• Success stories

• Future (end-state) vision stories

• Stories describing the current reality of, and the role and uses for, unmanned systems

• Stories that counter potential pushback and backlash triggers

• Stories that relate unmanned systems to National Security

• Stories that act to eliminate or reduce impediments to expanded use of unmanned systems and robots

Each of the story types, was then examined for content (we have lots of content and the intent is to use for panel composition) and this content is proposed as part of the report.    ….   So now, as you read this you wonder, “What’s in it for me”?

What stories do:  you need to tell? …we need to tell?  … you need to hear?

That is why we are here this year.  We are here to develop and explore the story, to explore the content and to create the market and you are part of it.  Let’s not forget, your time and attendance at this conference is an important choice, and we recognize you’ve made a choice to come and participate, so once again, reflecting the comments from an interviewee:

“If you want me to consider a conference worthwhile, then have a critical mass of government people and industry people there for networking. Create the opportunity to learn new technical information; listen to and participate in the government dialog, to hear their plans and stories and to tell them mine.”

 We look forward to your participation. 

                     Steve Koepenick, Conference Chairman, USIC 2009,