Dubai sets stage to enable more drone use in different industries
DUBAI, UAE: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), recently launched the Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation, setting the stage for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for more industries in the futuristic city of Dubai.
The program primarily seeks to explore the use of drones in several sectors, including health, security, shipping and food. With this mode of transport, carbon emissions will be reduced while facilitating speed and ease of movement of goods.
It also aims to attract talent as well as local and foreign investments to the drone applications sector, in addition to creating new jobs and stimulating economic activity in relevant fields.
Sheikh Hamdan said the program promotes the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen Dubai’s global competitiveness in adopting advanced technologies in vital sectors.
With the program, innovators and relevant entities can progressively explore ideas, policies and infrastructure needed to realize its objectives.
“Our projects place quality of life at the top of their priorities. We will continue to develop and implement innovative ideas on the ground. We have the right environment, infrastructure, and legislation for the use of drones. We also have the laboratories, expertise and talent to translate prototypes into viable solutions,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
“We have recognized the potential of drones in shaping the future early on, and started testing it in the UAE through attracting thousands of innovators in this field from 165 countries to participate in the UAE Drones for Good Award that we launched in 2014. This marked the beginning of our journey with this emerging technology, and reaffirmed our believe in the importance of leveraging future technologies for the benefit of humankind,” he added.
The agreement was signed by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority CEO Abdulla Ahli; Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul; Roads and Transport Authority CEO of The Public Transport Agency Ahmed Bahrozyan; Executive Vice President at Engineering and Smart City, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Engineer Muammar Al Katheeri; Majid Al Futtaim CEO Alain Bejjani; Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, and; Ammar Soliman Fakeeh, Chairman of the Board of Fakeeh Care Group.
The launch and signing took place during Dubai Airshow 2021 that drew the participation of more than 1,200 exhibitors as well as civilian and military delegations from over 140 countries.
