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WeRobotics is a diverse, global team. To spotlight their unique talents and contributions to WeRobotics and to Flying Labs, we asked them to share a bit about their backgrounds, their roles, and their interests.

Below is a conversation with Klaudyna Wrochna, WeRobotics Drone & Data Systems Specialist.

Q: Please introduce yourself: who are you, where do you live, and what's your role at WeRobotics?

My name is Klaudyna, but my friends call me Kaja. I'm originally from Poland, though I consider myself a citizen of the world. Since 2013 I've lived in four different European countries, and the journey is far from over.

Currently, I live in France and work as a Drone and Data Systems Specialist at WeRobotics, where I support the Flying Labs network with their projects, hardware, and software solutions but, most importantly, knowledge and training. For example, I support Flying Labs by sharing tips on how to perform a successful drone mission, analyzing flight logs to understand particular drone behavior, helping them learn how to use different flight planning or data analysis software, or sharing my experience to avoid common mistakes.

How did you get started in your field? What were your academic background and critical work experiences?

I started a Surveying and Cartography degree in 2010 and soon realized that this field was not hitting the sweet spot for me. Fortunately, I remained patient, and after I made it through the first semesters, I discovered photogrammetry. That was it - I fell in love at first sight (or lecture, to be precise). Soon I found enough passion for becoming an exemplary student, getting a scholarship, and moving to Norway and then to England to do parts of my studies there. In 2015, I graduated with a master's degree in Geoinformation, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and started increasingly focusing on drones and drone photogrammetry.

My most exciting work experience before joining WeRobotics was working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland, where I worked as a geomatics and GIS specialist. While at CERN, I introduced the usage of drones in the mapping service of the organization. It allowed us to start creating precise orthomosaics of all sites of CERN and introduce innovative surveying methods into a number of civil engineering projects—for example by monitoring and mapping of construction sites or calculating land volumes.

How did you get here? Why did you decide to join WeRobotics? What projects have you been working on?

As I write this, I've been a part of WeRobotics for less than two months, though it feels like a lot more! I work closely with the Flying Labs members, supporting their projects and everyday work and helping them troubleshoot when necessary.

The first thing that came to my mind when I discovered WeRobotics was our shared passion for drones. I enjoy seeing technology grow, mainly if it is used to help people all around the globe. I am aware that drones are often associated with 'bad and evil,' but I believe technology itself is perfectly harmless. It is up to its users (drone pilots) to turn it into something useful and valuable. WeRobotics is all about drones for social good, and I am proud to have a small part in the process of making the world a better place.

What are you most looking forward to this year in your work?

I'm looking forward to the WeRobotics and Flying Labs Retreat taking place this year in Kenya. Since we all work remotely, it will be an excellent opportunity to meet everyone in person. Coincidentally the moment I step out of the airplane in Nairobi will be the first time I'll be in the southern hemisphere, even if it's just 148 km from the equator!

What motivates me most in my everyday work is the level of interaction with people all around the world and getting to know their diverse cultures, countries, and local challenges. Their passion and motivation are driven by their local communities and lived experiences, and therefore are sincere and contagious. Of course, every job includes some degree of ordinary tasks. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that passion, shared values, and a higher goal transforms these everyday tasks from chores to pure joy.

What are your go-to tools and processes for doing your job?

I value simplicity, so my most powerful tool at work is a good old-fashioned to-do list. A bullet journal is my personal assistant, Toggl app helps me keep a life-work balance, Slack makes communication with the team seamless, and Trello provides an overview of shared tasks and projects.

What do you like to do in your off time? How do you relax and unwind?

I'm obsessed with discovering new places, especially if it involves stepping off the beaten paths. I enjoy skiing, yoga, and hiking, best if shared with family or friends. But most of all, I love flying racing drones and expressing myself in dynamic freestyle flights.