Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Drones, or autonomous sensing systems, step in where humans can’t. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing machines that can see, decide and act in real time. In this episode, we explore how drones expand the frontier of possibility: scanning hidden pipelines underground, navigating dangerous terrain and coordinating swarms across land, air, and water. These aren’t just flying cameras. They’re intelligence-gathering systems, force multipliers and life-saving tools.
Guests featured (in order of appearance):
Brian Wihl, Associate Program Lead for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL
James Reimer, Mechanical Engineer for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL
Spotify: livermorelab.info/49I1JnQ
Apple: livermorelab.info/49YYabQ
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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.
Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.
Script by Caroline Kidd.
Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.
Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.
Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.
Narrated by Matthew Powell.
Video Production by Levi Hanusch.
Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Drones, or autonomous sensing systems, step in where humans can’t. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing machines that can see, decide and act in real time. In this episode, we explore how drones expand the frontier of possibility: scanning hidden pipelines underground, navigating dangerous terrain and coordinating swarms across land, air, and water. These aren’t just flying cameras. They’re intelligence-gathering systems, force multipliers and life-saving tools.
Guests featured (in order of appearance):
Brian Wihl, Associate Program Lead for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL
James Reimer, Mechanical Engineer for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL
Spotify: livermorelab.info/49I1JnQ
Apple: livermorelab.info/49YYabQ
--
Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.
Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.
Script by Caroline Kidd.
Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.
Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.
Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.
Narrated by Matthew Powell.
Video Production by Levi Hanusch.
Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
