The guy whose “job is to dream up new ways to use XM’s two satellites and 800 terrestrial repeaters” got a writeup in Forbes this week.
The article profiles Roderick MacKenzie, XM’s vice president for advanced applications and services.
“Given XM’s access to both urban and rural areas, MacKenzie sees applications for emergency response and safety,” Forbes reported.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations with FEMA, DHS and DOT,” MacKenzie told the magazine. “They’ve been extraordinarily positive.” Forbes also said XM has been working with four big U.S. avionics manufacturers. “Thanks to those relationships, MacKenzie says that 90% of all new aircraft have electronics installed that can deliver XM WX.”