GoAERO made waves at this year's EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, marking a significant milestone for the future of emergency response aviation. The highlight of our trip to Oshkosh was the announcement of a strategic partnership with aerospace giant Honeywell, adding momentum to our innovative GoAERO Prize competition.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, our CEO, Gwen Lighter, and Honeywell's Bob Buddecke, President of Electronic Solutions, took the stage to unveil the collaboration. Honeywell joins our impressive roster of partners, including NASA, Boeing, and RTX, in supporting our $2+ million global competition aimed at revolutionizing uncrewed emergency response aircraft.
"We're thrilled to join the GoAERO mission to spur innovation in the aviation and emergency response industry—something that is urgently needed across the world," Buddecke said during the announcement. He emphasized Honeywell's commitment to leveraging Advanced Air Mobility for the public good and addressing the industry's most pressing challenges.
Our GoAERO Prize, launched earlier this year, challenges innovators worldwide to create portable, versatile, and autonomy-enabled Emergency Response Flyers. These aircraft are designed to perform critical missions in the wake of natural disasters, medical emergencies, and other crises. With the United States averaging 22 billion-dollar disasters annually since 2019 and FEMA's disaster workforce operating at only 65% capacity, the need for such innovation is clear.
Gwen Lighter underscored the partnership's significance, stating, "Honeywell is a leading innovator in the aerospace sector, and we are excited to have them join us as a GoAERO partner so that competing teams can benefit from their expertise and support."
Throughout the week-long event, we maintained a strong presence at Boeing Plaza, engaging with potential competitors and aviation enthusiasts. Our team provided information about joining the competition and offered insights into the future of emergency response aviation.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, known as the world's greatest aviation celebration, proved to be the perfect backdrop for our announcements and outreach efforts. The event's spirit of innovation and passion for flight aligned seamlessly with our mission to push the boundaries of aviation technology for humanitarian purposes.
As our competition gains traction, we continue to welcome new teams to join the challenge. With over $2 million in prizes at stake, along with expert mentorship, global exposure, and access to cutting-edge resources, the GoAERO Prize represents a unique opportunity for innovators to make a lasting impact on emergency response capabilities.
The partnership with Honeywell and the enthusiastic response we received at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh mark significant milestones for GoAERO. As our competition progresses, all eyes will be on the teams working to create the next generation of life-saving aircraft, potentially transforming the landscape of disaster response and humanitarian aid.
For those inspired to join us in this groundbreaking initiative, registration for new teams remains open at www.herox.com/GoAERO. The future of emergency response aviation is taking shape, and we at GoAERO are proud to be at the forefront, fostering innovation that promises to save lives and make a tangible difference in crisis situations worldwide.