Columbia to be the site of cutting edge drone research testing facility

The often spectacular views we see from drones, drones being used in warfare or flying inexpensive drones ourselves are how most of us have become familiar with unmanned aerial vehicles or drones. Drones are already used in agriculture, by utilities to check lines and law enforcement. However, there’s potential for drones to be used for many more purposes.

That’s what the DR1 Group is working on. The non-profit organization promotes the use of drone technology for unmanned flights.

DR1 group has plans to open a facility in Columbia, Lancaster County within the next two years – anchoring a business park on land that used to be an airstrip. The organization hopes to attract like-minded technology businesses and enterprises that could collaborate in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Todd Kishpaugh, a board member and one of the founders of DR1 Group said on Thursday’s Smart Talk the Columbia facility will research and develop applications for drones that include using unmanned aircraft to deliver packages, such as prescription medications, and make medical emergency landings. Kishpaugh indicated some 10 years down the road or maybe longer, piloted drones and eventually unmanned drones could taxi passengers from one place to the next.

Kishpaugh pointed out that Columbia is a good location for a drone research facility since it isn’t close to big airports but is near transportation hubs.