Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe McMillian.
Joe, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Getting my wife’s oil changed one day, I saw 4 different delivery trucks pull up and deliver small packages for car repairs. I thought about how much of a waste it was to deliver such a tiny box considering the transportation, salary, insurance and congestion contributed. I started to think about the idea of drone delivery and what was really holding back this technology from becoming a reality. I took those thoughts to a LinkedIn forum where I met some other people who were trying to tackle this problem. I found that there were many large big name companies trying to find a solution to autonomous drone flight but not much had been done to find a solution for the last mile of delivery. I met my now CTO Mark Messina on such a forum and found out he had previously worked for Amazon Prime Air and was intimately knowledgeable with where they were at with their technology, approach and limitations.
He agreed to jump on board and we created a startup, “DroneTerminus”. We are the last mile solution for drone delivery. We collect the on the ground data to make drone delivery safer and more efficient. Specifically, what we do is we have created a small ice cream sandwich-sized sensor array that can be mounted on a domicile and continuously scans a designated landing spot for drone delivery. In the event of an anomaly detected (a child, dog, tree branch, etc.), our sensor can recognize and notify both the drone and fleet operator (Amazon, Google, etc.) that there is a hazard present and waive off, hold, go back orders can be sent in real time. With our device, we can help mitigate the risk associated with operating a drone over populated areas by avoiding collision and providing fleet operators the data they need to effectively do their job (delivery).
Has it been a smooth road?
Having a startup company is very stressful where you don’t know where you will be able to find more money or time to do the next thing on your list. It is similar to operating a small business but necessitates having a more global outlook on how your product, will be accepted into the market and try to attract venture capital in order to take our product to the next level. It is a continuous struggle and to get to this point has taken personal sacrifice. Unfortunately, the next steps if we get funding, it will become even more stressful as with funding there will be more responsibilities and responding more stakeholders who have an invested interest in what we are doing on a daily basis. The long term end goal will be a trying time and a long shot at best but, now that I have come this far I couldn’t imagine not seeing it through.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with DroneTerminus – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
DroneTerminus designs and manufactures scaleable drone delivery appliances that will help facilitate the drone package delivery market. We provide augmented sense and avoidance data that is needed to reduce last mile risk.
Droneterminus is completely self funded. Incorporated in 2016 as a Florida, LLC.
2017 AlphaLabGear National Hardware Cup Semi Finalist
Invited to enter Fast Design Co. Innovation by Design Awards 2017
2017 MassChallenge Finalist
2017 Grant Recipient from the University of Wisonsin
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I have lived in South Florida for the past 20 years. It is my home. The beach, the winters, the food and options… what’s not to love?
Contact Info:
- Address: NW 4th St.
Boca Raton, FL 33486 - Website: http://www.DroneTerminus.com
- Phone: 910.448.4437
- Email: Info@DroneTerminus.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/droneterminus/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DroneTerminus
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/droneterminus-com/S
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
