Developers are at the heart of AWS. As CTO of Amazon, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is meeting with developers around the world to better understand the unique challenges they face when developing on AWS.
Recently, I traveled to Southeast Asia to immerse myself in the region’s growing construction culture. One of the countries I visited was Malaysia, the location of the Newest AWS RegionOur 34th largest city in the world and home to a rapidly evolving technology sector, where entrepreneurs, business owners and a vibrant community of builders are proving that solving tough human problems can be a profitable business model.
Technology for good
Disaster relief is one of the most important areas where technology can have a profound impact on saving lives. When natural disasters or man-made crises strike, every second counts, and having the right tools and systems in place can have a significant impact on outcomes. In these scenarios, computer vision, machine learning, and cloud technologies, combined with drones, environmental sensors, and other hardware advancements, have real potential to streamline disaster response, improve communication and coordination, and provide real-time data and insights that can guide rescue efforts and aid distribution.
During this trip I met Aerodynea Malaysia-based drone and drone data company that started out with aerial mapping data and imagery. When devastating floods hit the region in 2014, the company saw an opportunity to use their drone technology for search and rescue. They deployed their drones to map water flows and collect data, which helped create evacuation routes and map rescue paths. This move demonstrated how the company’s innovative technology could create a massive positive impact in times of crisis.
Building on that experience, Aerodyne has continued to find new applications for its drone data platform to drive sustainable growth. Today, the company is focused on solving complex industrial challenges. By running its DRONOS software platform on AWS, Aerodyne can automatically analyze petabytes of aerial data using machine learning to deliver critical insights. In agriculture, this means quickly identifying issues like crop disease or lack of irrigation so farmers can respond quickly, increasing yields by up to 67%. For telecommunications companies, Aerodyne uses drones to safely inspect and map cell towers, accelerating 5G deployment by more than 90% and reducing operational costs.
What started out as using drones for mapping has evolved into using drones to solve challenges related to food security, disaster response, connectivity and energy security. It’s a good example of how a company with a noble purpose can grow sustainably, while continually finding new ways to create a positive impact.
A crucible for innovation
I’ve seen this pattern repeated across Southeast Asia, where the emphasis isn’t always on becoming the next unicorn, but on solving problems that directly affect people in their communities. I’ve witnessed companies democratizing financial services, improving access to credit for underserved communities, and relentlessly focusing on providing educational resources to students of all ages.
Even after numerous visits to this part of the world, I remain inspired by the region’s rapidly evolving technology sector and dynamic drive to make a positive impact. To all the builders in Malaysia and elsewhere, your efforts to uncover new opportunities and solve pressing problems are truly inspiring. I look forward to returning to witness and celebrate your continued progress.
Now, go build!
