Builders are the heart of AWS. As Amazon’s CTO, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is meeting with builders around the world to better understand the unique challenges they face when building on AWS.
I recently traveled to Southeast Asia to immerse myself in the growing culture of builders in the region. One of the countries I visited was Malaysia, home to the newest AWS region, our 34th worldwide, and home to a fast-growing technology sector where entrepreneurs, business owners and a vibrant community of builders are proving that solving tough human problems can be 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 occur, every second counts, and the right tools and systems can make a big difference in outcomes. In these scenarios, computer vision, machine learning, and cloud technologies paired with drones, environmental sensors, and other hardware advances have real potential to streamline disaster response, improve communication and coordination, and provide real-time data and insights that can guide rescue operations. and aid distribution.
During this trip, I met Aerodyne, a Malaysian drone and drone data company that started with aerial mapping data and imagery. When devastating floods hit the region in 2014, the company saw an opportunity to use its drone technology for search and rescue. They deployed their drones to map water courses and collect data, which helped in creating evacuation routes and mapping rescue routes. This pivot showed how the company’s innovative technology could have a huge positive impact in times of crisis.
Using this experience, Aerodyne continued to find new applications for its drone data platform to drive sustainable growth. Today, the company focuses on solving complex industrial challenges. By running its DRONOS software platform on AWS, Aerodyne can automatically analyze petabytes of airborne data using machine learning to provide critical insights. In agriculture, this means quickly identifying problems such as crop diseases or insufficient 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% while reducing operating costs.
What started as using drones for mapping has evolved into using drones to solve problems in food security, disaster response, connectivity and energy security. It’s a good example of how a business with a noble purpose can grow sustainably while constantly finding new ways to create positive impact.
Crucible for innovation
I’ve seen this pattern repeated in Southeast Asia, where the focus isn’t always on becoming the next unicorn, but on solving problems that directly affect people in their communities. I’ve seen companies democratize financial services, improve access to credit for underserved communities, and relentlessly focus 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 vibrant efforts to make a positive impact. To all builders in Malaysia and beyond, your drive to unlock new opportunities and solve pressing problems is truly inspiring. I look forward to returning to witness and celebrate your continued progress.
Now get building!