Romeo Durscher: A Legacy of Innovation, Ethics, and Purpose in the Drone Industry

As Romeo Durscher steps back from the drone industry, facing retirement due to a recent health diagnosis, he reflects on a career that has shaped not only technology but lives around the world. In this interview with DRONELIFE, Romeo shares stories from his remarkable journey—defined by curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference. From working at NASA while also “playing” with drones, to leading public safety initiatives at DJI and advocating for open standards at Auterion, to creating meaningful and needed training and mobile robotics solutions at UTAC and FLYMOTION, Romeo’s voice remains a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire industry. His words, slightly adapted here for clarity, offer a look back at the pioneering years of the drone industry and a call to future innovators to carry forward the values of authenticity, ethics, and purpose.

Romeo Durscher: A Life in Drones

After more than a decade in the drone industry, I can hardly believe how far we’ve come. From assembling my first drone while working at NASA to watching UAVs revolutionize public safety, every step of this journey has felt like watching an entirely new world unfold. Looking back, I see two guiding principles that have defined my career: following curiosity and staying true to purpose. These ideas have carried me through an amazing career, from creating art and testing flight algorithms to rescuing people in crises.

The Early Days: From NASA to Uncharted Territory

In 2010, when I was still deeply involved in NASA missions, Mark Johnson and I began experimenting with a new kind of technology. Multi-rotors were practically unheard of, but we found components from all over and pieced together our own drones. I vividly remember the first time we flew one. For Mark, it was clear this could be a powerful tool for his forensic analysis business. For me, it unlocked something new—a fresh perspective from the air. Working with Adobe’s Russell Preston Brown, I created aerial panoramas that had never been done before. And at NASA, we even started using these early drones to test docking algorithms for the International Space Station. 

I was living a dream, contributing to NASA missions and supporting human spaceflight. But something about this new technology grabbed me. I knew it had a future beyond NASA, especially in public safety. The memory of my Swiss military service, wishing for a real-time aerial view, fueled my desire to bring drones to new spaces.

Joining DJI: Building Drones for Public Safety

Taking the leap to join DJI as Director of Education felt like plunging into the unknown, but I knew the potential drones had to change lives. My first goal was simple—get drones in front of more people. I wanted to show the world what they could do, not just for entertainment but for real, life-saving work. Building an Education Team, I made it a priority to reach not only academia but also lawmakers and industry leaders who needed to see drones’ potential. 

Some moments were just unforgettable. We partnered with ABC Good Morning America to broadcast live from inside the world’s largest cave system in Vietnam. It had never been done, and the technical challenges were enormous. But we pulled it off, and people back in the U.S. could watch that feed live. Then, there was the first fire rescue I participated in. That experience reshaped everything for me. Soon after, we developed the first thermal drone payload with FLIR. It allowed us to see through smoke, into the darkness, and find heat signatures—a tool that changed how we approached rescue missions. 

 

 

 

Every success came with challenges, though. In 2017, I pushed hard for a fixed-wing VTOL, thinking it could support long-range missions in rugged environments. We built a prototype based on the M200 design, and it was almost ready to go into production. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right, and it was shelved. But working in DJI’s fast-paced environment was exhilarating. Every visit to headquarters in China would reveal something new—a prototype here, a new capability there. It felt like ideas were becoming reality in weeks.

 

 

Taking Drones to the Front Lines of Disaster Response 

One of the most defining experiences of my career came during the massive wildfires in 2017 and 2018 in California. With drones, we could map the devastation, track fire lines, and even locate victims, all while giving real-time data to CAL FIRE teams on the ground. One moment stands out: we were able to help save animals trapped by the fires, giving a little hope amidst the destruction. Each deployment taught me something new about how drones could be used to save lives and help communities in crisis.

People have often asked what I’m most proud of, and it’s hard to say. There’s the first person I helped rescue—that will always stay with me. But equally important are the times when I hear that something I shared inspired someone else to join this field. Knowing I’ve sparked that passion in others is an incredible honor.

A Shift to Standardization with Auterion

At Auterion, I found another unique opportunity: the chance to create a true ecosystem where drones, sensors, and data could flow seamlessly. I had witnessed the need for standardization firsthand at DJI, so Auterion’s mission of open-source development was something I felt drawn to. Building this ecosystem, I envisioned a world where platforms could operate in the air, on land, or even at sea, all using a unified control system. We were trying to establish the “USB” of mobile robotics—plug-and-play technology that would unlock true interoperability.

Of course, it wasn’t easy. Working in a smaller, venture-capital-driven environment came with different kinds of pressures, but I believed in what we were building. At Auterion, we wanted to create something that would outlast any single company—a framework where anyone could participate and innovate.

Learning from Public Safety, and Giving Back

One of the privileges of my career has been working closely with public safety professionals. Through collaborations with organizations like the European Emergency Number Association (EENA), we developed rigorous trials and set a new standard for integrating drones into emergency services. Seeing this technology work in real-time, saving lives, was immensely rewarding. 

And yet, this work came with its own challenges. In an emerging field, authenticity and ethics are everything. “One of the most essential lessons is the importance of authenticity, truthfulness, and ethics,” I often say. The industry has seen its share of exaggerations, with individuals pushing narratives for financial gain, which impacts not just the industry’s reputation but also the people who rely on this technology. I wanted to make sure we built something that could be trusted, not just by developers but by the firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders who use it every day. By default, the spotlight is already on them; now with new tech it’s even worse. 

The “Internet Moment” for Drones—and What Lies Ahead

Today, I truly believe drones are in their “internet moment”—a time when this technology is transforming how we see and interact with the world. I envision a future where drones operate autonomously, guided by AI and capable of working far beyond visual line of sight. But getting there means embracing open standards, plug-and-play ecosystems, and real collaboration across the industry.

Imagine a world where a single operator manages multiple autonomous drones, tackling complex missions from environmental monitoring to search and rescue. It’s not just a dream; it’s within reach, but only if we stay grounded in authenticity and ethics. That’s the only way we’ll unlock the full potential of drones in a way that serves people and gains the trust of people and governments. 

Looking Forward

As I step back from my formal career, I’m grateful for the team members, managers, and first responders who have been with me along the way. Every achievement, every rescue, and every milestone was the result of incredible teamwork. Alone, I could never have done it. The people in this industry, often working behind the scenes, are the ones pushing boundaries every day, and they’re the ones who will carry this work forward.

My hope is that as this industry grows, it doesn’t just chase innovation but also stays true to purpose. The future doesn’t need flashy taglines or big promises—it needs real people who want to make a difference. As I retire, I’m ready to see the next wave of leaders rise. My advice to them? Be authentic, be true, and always remember that the work is about more than technology—it’s about the people who depend on it.

The drone industry has given me the opportunity to contribute to something greater than myself, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. I may be stepping away, but I’ll always carry the lessons, memories, and friendships I’ve gained along the way. I’m excited to see where this technology goes next, and I’m confident it will be in good hands.

If you would like to connect with Romeo or leave him a message in the guestbook: 

• Website with Guestbook: www.durscher.com 
• CaringBridge Information Platform: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/8ebda864-909a-11ef-b0dc-df7674244e93