This Drexel engineering student wants to show you how to build a drone

Stuart Collymore, a 20-year-old Drexel University mechanical engineering student, loves to build drones.
He spends a lot of time researching the parts needed to build what are called FPV (first person view) drones.  These drones are fast and he flies them using a pair of FPV exclusive goggles (kind of like virtual reality).  He sees what the drone sees.
During this holiday season more than a million drones will be purchased. Imagine one million drones flying around.
“This is becoming more than a hobby,” Collymore said.  “People are earning a living shooting videos with these sophisticated machines.”
Collymore has been trying to figure out the best way to educate the public to this growing technology (and market).  What better way than to host a free event.
For the past few months Collymore has been partnering up with local drone companies such as VergeAero.com and VideoDrone.me as well as FPV clubs such as Mid Atlantic FPV Society.  He’s been busy learning all about drone technology and gaining a skill set that not many other drone pilots have: Perfecting the building process.
“Commercial drones are great for people who want to shoot video, but I like building my own because I can customize it to do what I want, and ultimately go as fast as I want too,” he said.
With various drone videos popping up on YouTube lately, it’s no secret that people love the beautiful aerial views of Philadelphia. But drones don’t just shoot great footage, they can also be built to perform other useful tasks.
“We build software that automates drones to do more intricate maneuvers,” said owner of Verge Aero Michael Duffy.  “Everything from product deliveries, precision agriculture, led light shows, or even medical emergency services. People need to start realizing that drones aren’t just hardware. They are software too, and that’s what we focus on.”
This is what led Duffy to Collymore.  The desire to showcase the software along with the hardware at an event that people can interact with and learn from.
The free event takes place on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at Rittenhouse coworking space Benjamin’s Desk at 1701 Walnut Street on the 8th Floor. The event has no cost but requires registration.
RSVP here
“Imagine a world where your deliveries come in 30 minutes via drone, or your spouse is saved by a flying defibrillator when an ambulance is just too far away,” said Collymore. “This technology has such huge potential, and this event is to showcase it, talk about it, and educate the public on what the future holds for drones.”