Local Experts Launch Haiti Flying Labs to Leverage Drones for Community Development

In Haiti, a group of local experts in project management, survey management, GIS, information technology, and data science has launched Haiti Flying Labs to address community issues by utilizing drones and artificial intelligence as an element of solution through training and community projects. Led by Samuel Jean and Sony Belizaire, Haiti Flying Labs will raise awareness about these technologies' social good applications by promoting responsible use, organizing training events, and demonstrating real-world robotics applications.

Haiti has many drone pilots—amateur and trained—and there are no regulations related to what they can or cannot do. Additionally, the government lacks reliable information about drone use in Haiti or who has access to drone technology. Therefore, the country needs a project to create policies and a national certification strategy, which Haiti Flying Labs aims to provide.

Haiti Flying Labs also plans to support NGOs engaging in infrastructure and agriculture projects, where drone use could augment their work. Much of their staff lacks drone pilot training and requires a certification to fly. Haiti Flying Labs plans to host at least two certification training sessions to help. 

The team will provide hands-on drone hardware and software training for various drone platforms and practical use cases. Once trained, Haiti Flying Labs will support the course participants with certification and plan to certify pilots and train drone data analysts for the responsible use of drone data.

Finally, Haiti Flying Labs will organize, coordinate, and manage pilot research and development projects to address disaster relief and management, agriculture, environmental protection, health, search and rescue, and education. They will counsel local NGOs and institutions with advice on using drones for their activities.

Join us in welcoming Haiti Flying Labs to the global Flying Labs Network!