California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

Earlier this month, Yuba County economic coordinator, John Fleming lead a presentation
with experts on autonomous technology, private sector technology firms, regional elected
officials and academic leaders converging on Beale Air Force Base to discuss the challenges
and future potential facing autonomous technology. The California Innovation Center, Inc., a
non-profit entity formed in 2008 to explore a variety of collaborative efforts and partnerships
involving Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), coordinated the workshop, “Emerging Tech 2008.”

The workshop included an opening presentation from Air Force Lieutenant General Robert
Elders who first suggested that the local community engage in the formation of a research
and development Center; background on the creation of the new center from the board's
chairman, Ron Bartoli, and a national perspective on phasing the roll-out of autonomous
flying platforms from Lawrence "Nuke" Newcome, principal engineer for Modern Technology
Solutions, Inc.

Next steps for the new California Innovation Center will be to establish funding for a strategic
plan and the recruitment of a director. The Center is currently working with the Air Force and
regional universities including Sacramento State and UC Davis to develop a white paper regarding
“sense and avoid” issues relating to the Global Hawk program.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.