The Ways We Move: Inside Advanced Air Mobility, Safety, Innovation, and the Next Decade with Dash Divakaran

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Join us on The Ways We Move today for an inspiring conversation with Darshan Dash Divakaran, a leader in aviation and advanced air mobility (AAM), former head of Airspace Innovation and Partnerships at AFWERX. 

Dash shares his unique journey from commercial pilot to technology evangelist advancing the integration of autonomy, unmanned aviation, and next-generation airspace systems. In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of advanced air mobility, its dual applications for military and civilian sectors, and how safety remains central to innovation. Discover industry challenges such as policy harmonization and technology integration, and hear Dash’s vision for the future of urban air mobility through interoperable systems and public-private partnerships.

We visit:

• The value of collaboration across government, industry, and academia in advancing AAM
• Challenges startups face navigating defense and federal sectors
• The transformative potential of AAM to reshape transportation and mobility

00:00 Introduction
 Host Nicolas Zart introduces the podcast and today’s guest, Darshan Dash Divakaran.

02:15 Dash’s Background
 Dash shares his transition from commercial pilot to aerospace innovator and explains his current role at AFWERX.

10:30 Evolution of Advanced Air Mobility
 Discussion on how AAM has grown and its importance for both military and civilian use.

18:45 Safety as a Foundation
 Dash explains why safety drives his work and how it influences the industry’s approach to technology and operations.

25:00 Industry Challenges and Opportunities
 Insights on current hurdles, including the need for policy harmonization and integrating emerging technologies.

35:20 Looking Ahead
 Dash shares his vision for the next five to ten years, highlighting interoperability and the role of partnerships.

45:00 Wrap-Up and Call to Action
 Nicolas thanks Dash and invites listeners to engage with the episode and share their thoughts.

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