Explore lessons learned in building a reliable and customizable hardware/software/cloud platform for commercial drones in this 52-minute conference talk from GOTO Amsterdam 2015. Discover how Airware evolved from a kitchen startup to a venture-backed company in San Francisco. Gain insights into the challenges of creating a modular architecture, implementing the Robot Operating System, and developing multi-vehicle capabilities. Learn about streamlined user interfaces, ground control stations, and application frameworks for various drone applications. Examine the importance of cloud platforms, metadata management, and cost stability in commercial drone operations. Delve into specific use cases such as vertical inspection workflows and wildlife surveying. Understand the key components and evolution of drone platforms, as well as the different types of drones used in commercial applications.