Streaming and in-person:
Click for stream Click to make donation Free Admission (Registration Required)*: https://www.sparknify.com/drones-of-the-land-sea-and-sky
Join us for our signature live studio show, as we explore the rising tension and harmony between human ingenuity and machine autonomy in the world of drones and autonomous systems. At this episode, you’ll hear from startup founders building cutting-edge autonomous systems for land, sea, and sky, and meet drone racing champions pushing machines to their limits. Enjoy live demos, a tech showcase, and videos of Ukrainian war drones in action showing how drones are reshaping the battlefield.
Segment 1: Traverse Aero develops advanced autonomous aircraft for middle-mile cargo transport, enabling faster, more efficient logistics over regional distances.
Segment 2: In this segment, we’ll dive into the Future of Drone Racing, exploring how this fast-growing, tech-driven sport is evolving from underground competitions to a global phenomenon. The discussion will be moderated by Sparknify’s Leah Stamm, who brings her expertise in technology communications to guide the conversation. Joining her are the Bay Area’s top drone racing champions — Timofey “Din” Germanov, Colby Curtola, and Zoe Stumbaugh — who will share their insights on the rise of FPV racing, how innovation continues to push the boundaries of speed and skill, and what the future holds for this thrilling, tech-infused broadcast sport at the intersection of human performance and machine autonomy.
Segment 3: In this segment, Bay Area experimentalist
David Leikam will deliver a live performance on the iconic Moog Rogue synthesizer, bringing analog warmth and raw sonic texture to the program for the evening. Known for his improvisational edge and deep engagement with electronic soundscapes, Leikam’s performance will bridge machine logic and human intuition — channeling the spirit of autonomy through voltage and vibration.
Segment 4: Drones of the Ukrainian War — In this powerful segment, Ukrainian filmmaker Lana Shapoval will share real-world footages of Ukrainian drone operations from the ongoing war with Russia. Through her lens, viewers will witness how robotics, AI, and autonomous systems are reshaping modern warfare on the front lines. Lana will provide insight into how these technologies have evolved from experimental tools to critical assets on the battlefield, highlighting both their tactical impact and the ethical questions they raise in this new era of technology-driven conflict.
*Midpen Media Center programs five cable TV channels (26,28,29,30,75) viewable in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Stanford on Comcast Cable... https://midpenmedia.org/channels/
Cost: Free Admission (Registration Required)