Innovators
Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion – Innovator Series
Dr. Lorenz Meier, founder and CEO of Auterion, has played a key role in shaping autonomous drone technology. He developed Pixhawk, MAVLink, PX4, and QGroundControl—tools now widely used in commercial and defense sectors. These contributions have become foundational standards across the drone industry.
Academic and Technical Foundations of Lorenz Meier
Lorenz Meier began his journey in drone technology at ETH Zurich in 2008 during his master’s studies. He started a research project focused on enabling drones to fly autonomously using computer vision. This work led to the creation of the Pixhawk team, which built custom flight controllers and software.
In 2009, Meier’s team won the European Micro Air Vehicle competition in the indoor autonomy category. Seeing the potential, they released their work as open source. This decision helped spark global adoption and laid the foundation for future drone autonomy projects.
Founding and Building Auterion with Lorenz Meier
In 2017, Meier co-founded Auterion with Kevin Sartori. Their goal was to create a sustainable business around open-source drone software. Auterion provides enterprise-grade systems built on the PX4 platform, allowing manufacturers and operators to deploy secure, autonomous drones at scale.
By bridging open-source development with commercial needs, Meier positioned Auterion as a major force in the global drone ecosystem.
Lorenz Meier’s Role in PX4 and Auterion’s Autonomous Systems
Lorenz Meier’s contributions are extensive and impactful:
Pixhawk: An open hardware standard that made drone flight controllers more accessible and consistent.
MAVLink: A communication protocol now used across the industry for reliable telemetry and control.
PX4: A flexible open-source flight control software that supports a wide range of drones.
QGroundControl: A user-friendly ground control application for mission planning and drone management.
Through Auterion, Meier continues to evolve these platforms. His leadership ensures that the technologies meet both commercial requirements and government-grade standards.
Milestones Achieved Under Lorenz Meier’s Vision
Lorenz Meier’s vision has driven several major milestones:
He helped launch the Dronecode Foundation in 2014. Backed by the Linux Foundation, it supports the open-source drone community.
Auterion’s technology has been adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense, proving its reliability and security in high-stakes environments.
In 2017, MIT Technology Review named Meier an Innovator Under 35 for his groundbreaking work.
These achievements show how his open-source mindset leads to real-world success.
Thought Leadership and Industry Influence
Lorenz Meier is more than a developer—he is a global advocate for open-source innovation. As Chairman of the Dronecode Foundation, he promotes the adoption of shared standards to boost collaboration and drive progress.
He frequently speaks at industry events and engages with developers worldwide. Meier’s focus on community-driven development helps ensure drone technologies remain open, inclusive, and adaptable to future needs.
Lorenz Meier’s Vision for the Future of Drone Autonomy
Meier believes autonomous drones should become deeply integrated into daily life. He sees them playing key roles in logistics, agriculture, public safety, and infrastructure monitoring. To achieve this, he calls for more investment in open-source systems that reduce costs and accelerate innovation.
His long-term vision includes expanding access to intelligent aerial systems that are affordable, secure, and easy to scale. Through Auterion and the broader PX4 ecosystem, Meier continues to make that future a reality.
Closing Insights
Lorenz Meier has helped shape the foundation of modern drone systems through innovation, openness, and leadership. His tools and frameworks—born in academia and refined through collaboration—have empowered developers, companies, and governments worldwide.
As drones evolve from niche tools into everyday infrastructure, Meier’s influence remains central. His open-source legacy ensures that drone autonomy grows not just faster—but smarter, safer, and more accessible for everyone.
