RPAS 2026 Speaker Bio

Paris Cockinos

Founder and CEO

Sphere

I’m Paris, and I started Sphere back in 2014 with a simple goal, to push the limits of what drones and robotics can do for industry. What began as a small idea has grown into a team of 40 brilliant minds across Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, all focused on building technology that makes work safer, smarter, and more efficient. One of our proudest achievements is HubX, a game-changing platform helping major players like Rio Tinto, BHP, Sydney Water, and Fortescue Metals automate and streamline their airborne operations. I’m driven by the challenge of solving complex problems and turning bold ideas into real-world impact. Seeing our technology take flight, literally and figuratively, around the world is what keeps me inspired every day. In the early days of 2020, amidst the global upheaval of COVID-19, I co-founded Les Gars Cycling Club while sitting at a coffee shop, driven by the vision of creating a community united by a passion for cycling. As a founding board member, I’ve helped guide the club’s strategic direction, growing it to over 200 members. Today, Les Gars is a vibrant community that not only celebrates the sport but also champions cyclist safety and local engagement, making a genuine impact both within and beyond the cycling scene. I hold a Bachelor of Industrial Design from UNSW, which laid the groundwork for my passion for design thinking, innovation, and building technology that creates real value