Jeremy Wang (PhD '23, mechanical and mechatronics engineering) realized that Northern Communities don't have access to commercial airlines and airports because of limited infrastructure, so he set out to co-found Ribbit—a pilotless fixed-wing aircraft company.
The planes have dual-use applications and can be used for both defence purposes and for shipping cargo to civilians. Moving people, goods, and information is core to the company. These planes are also designed to operate without traditional airport infrastructure, making it even more accessible to remote communities.
Ribbit is the only company in Canada that is focused on autonomous fixed-wing planes at this level, and Jeremy sees incredible opportunity—not only in Canada but internationally as well.
Wang credits his PhD for helping him think critically and identify gaps.
Get the rest of the story in Pilotless planes for the hardest-to-reach places in Waterloo News.