Woo Hyun Ho is a visionary leader in the drone industry, serving as the CEO of DroneDivision Co., Ltd. With a passion for innovation, he is driving the advancement of drone technology and its real-world applications—ranging from air pollution measurement and safety management to disaster response and military operations.

Under his leadership, DroneDivision has developed cutting-edge drone image analysis solutions that enhance event security, emergency response, and law enforcement operations, working closely with police, fire departments, and government agencies.

Beyond technology, Woo Hyun Ho is a pioneer in drone sports, playing a key role in introducing drone basketball and expanding competitive drone events across Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. His efforts aim not only to revolutionize the industry but also to inspire the next generation, foster youth engagement, and create job opportunities by training skilled drone instructors and judges.

With a commitment to both technological excellence and community impact, he is shaping the future of drones as a force for innovation, safety, and entertainment on a global scale.

1.What is your role as the head of the Daejeon branch of the Korea Unmanned Safety Association in establishing a national drone safety policy?

I'm currently the CEO of DroneDivision Co., Ltd., and I'm focused on advancing drone technology and its applications. We use drones to measure air pollution, providing valuable data for Daejeon Metropolitan City's air management policies. Our drone image analysis supports safety management at festival sites, disaster zones, and military operations, and we’ve developed a safety management platform for these areas, offering services to police, fire, and government agencies. Additionally, I’ve helped introduce drone basketball to the world of drone sports and organized national competitions in South Korea. We're expanding drone sports to countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China, with plans to develop more events that will grow the drone industry, promote youth culture, and create new job opportunities by training drone sports instructors and judges. (World Drone Sports Federation YouTube channel: [https://www.youtube.com/@WDSF9116])

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2. What are the biggest challenges in leading a drone company in Korea today?

Currently, China holds a leading position in the drone industry, demonstrating remarkable strength and innovation. While many Korean drone companies possess excellent technology, they are also focused on securing the drone market and developing cutting-edge applications. To support this, the Korean government has implemented various policies aimed at fostering the growth of the drone industry.

At Drone Division Co., Ltd., we leverage drone and AI technologies to develop safety management platforms and drive the expansion of the drone sports industry. Our ongoing efforts are focused on enhancing technologies for citizen safety and disaster prevention, contributing to a safer and more sustainable future.

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3. What are the most interesting technological advances in drone development today?

AI technology has greatly enhanced drone capabilities. While drones initially struggled with flight stability, they now outperform cars in terms of autonomous flight. By incorporating AI, we’ve made significant strides in autonomous flight and object recognition technologies. This rapid progress is opening up new possibilities for drones across various industries.

At Drone Division Co., Ltd., we’ve applied AI to safety management platforms for festivals, concert halls, and stadiums, utilizing drone image analysis to improve security. We are also advancing a platform to differentiate between allies and enemies in military applications, positioning ourselves to play an active role in the defense sector. Moving forward, we foresee AI not only enhancing flight capabilities but also expanding into other applications across multiple industries.

4. How does AI and automation affect the performance and performance of drones?

Currently, drones are typically controlled 1:1 by a single pilot. However, advancements in AI and autonomous flight technologies promise to greatly enhance convenience in our daily lives. Before being applied to drones, AI was primarily used in CCTV systems, but these required costly installation and maintenance. With drones, AI integration will revolutionize multiple sectors, offering benefits such as significant cost reductions compared to traditional systems. We can expect to see advancements in areas like drone delivery, automated security systems, and autonomous building and facility management, all powered by AI-driven drone technologies.

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5. How does Korea's drone industry compare to major global companies like the U.S. and China, and what are some strategies to strengthen its competitiveness?

Drones face fewer obstacles compared to ground vehicles, but they still encounter several challenges such as varying weather conditions (e.g., sudden winds, rain, snow), collisions with tidal currents, and unidentifiable city electric lines. Another significant challenge is battery performance and its effect on flight distance. For example, if the battery is at 40% while flying in a patrol area, the drone might need to return to the take-off point, but if wind increases the resistance and extends flight time, there’s a risk of crashing before it can return.

Additionally, when a 1 to 2 kg drone crashes from a height of 150 meters, it hits the ground with a speed of 54.25 m/s and an impact force of 81.37 Ns. This impact is equivalent to that of an 8.3 kg object hitting the ground. If it collides with a car moving at 100 km/h, the impact force is about 91.42 Ns. This level of impact is why drones are not permitted to fly around airports.

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6. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, how can you balance innovation with regulatory compliance?

It’s quite challenging, as technology is advancing rapidly, but the laws in many countries are not keeping pace. Meeting legal standards in real time to apply new technologies—such as ensuring safety, adhering to legal applications, setting clear targets, and following communication regulations—can be difficult.

To bridge this gap, we’re implementing what’s known as a demonstration project in Korea. In these projects, we designate specific areas to conduct tests before drone delivery services can be officially authorized by the government. This process involves collaboration between companies, local governments, and the government itself, with the aim of developing laws and regulations to accommodate the evolving technology. This approach helps align the speed of technological advancements with legal requirements.

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7. How can the defense and commercial drone sectors work together to develop dual-use technologies?

Two years ago, a tragic accident occurred in Itaewon on Halloween Day, resulting in the loss of 159 lives. Despite the preparation of safety measures by the police, CCTV, and administrative agencies, the crowd unexpectedly became uncontrollable, leading to the tragedy.

To address this issue, we developed the RODAS platform, a safety management system that uses drone image analysis and AI technology, with support from Daejeon City. This platform helps safety managers by providing real-time video feeds and generating heat maps to show crowd density at festival sites and concerts, identifying areas that may be hazardous.

Additionally, South Korea has created a military version of this technology, which automatically distinguishes between South Korean and North Korean military equipment through video analysis. We're continuously upgrading this technology to improve its capabilities.

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8. How would you organize the next generation of drone experts as an adjunct professor at Daedeok University?

The drone may appear simple in structure, but it's akin to an electric vehicle, integrating both hardware and software. While China, with companies like DJI, has historically excelled in drone hardware, many companies are now advancing in both hardware and software, beyond just DJI.

Korea is currently focused on integrating both hardware and software within a single company in the drone industry. Achieving this requires expertise in both fields. For software, we need skilled professionals in control technology, communication, sensor processing, and data management to efficiently control drones. On the hardware side, expertise is needed in areas like design, materials engineering, electronics, and batteries. However, since drones span multiple technical fields, securing the necessary expertise, technology, capital, and workforce is challenging, especially for a startup. To address this, Drone Division Co., Ltd. is focusing on developing software that processes data collected from drones. Moving forward, we will continue to expand our team in the software field.

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