Brian Park, a sophomore majoring in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) at Purdue Polytechnic, transferred to the university with a specific goal in mind. He wanted access to the world's largest indoor motion-capture facility for drones.
Park identified the Purdue UAS Research and Test Facility (PURT) and the university's reputation in engineering as the deciding factors for his move.
"I decided to transfer to Purdue University due to the fact that it has the world's largest drone testing facility and one of the best engineering schools in the USA," Park said.
Park views drone technology as a critical tool for improving efficiency across various sectors, including agriculture, entertainment, search and rescue and shipping. He notes that unmanned systems can perform tasks faster and more cheaply than traditional methods.
"It cuts time. It cuts costs," Park said. "For example, a delivery drone is faster in the air, compared to the human driver who has to go through traffic."
He also highlighted the safety benefits of the technology in high-risk scenarios. Park explained that unmanned military drones can hit targets using AI without sacrificing on-board pilots.
Since arriving at Purdue, Park has immersed himself in the practical side of his major. He serves on the design team for the Vertical Flight Systems (VFS) club. The organization provides him with the opportunity to design payload sections for rotorcraft and 3D print them into functional products.
"Being able to actually design the payload section of the rotor craft and 3D printing it into a real product is something I hadn't experienced but want to do more," Park said. "I had fun, [and also] needed to think about efficiency within a team."
Park encourages prospective students to consider the unique resources available at Purdue Polytechnic. He points to the hands-on experience available through student clubs and the access to PURT as the program's primary advantages.
Looking toward graduation, Park aims to work for companies that focus on innovation first and foremost. Park believes that entities like Anduril, Zipline and Skydio are prime examples of such places, and that sort of company is where he hopes to apply his skills with his Purdue Polytechnic degree.
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