UAE unfolding as major UAS hub
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Experts: the UAE as ideal location for ‘Humanitarian UAV Centre of Excellence’.
With the UAE already underlining its credentials as the world’s largest donor of humanitarian aid and aiming to be the first global logistics hub for distributing humanitarian aid by 2021, an expert on how big data is changing the face of humanitarian response highlighted the nation as the ideal location for a ‘Humanitarian UAV Centre of Excellence.’
Addressing a session at the first ‘UAE Drones for Good Award’, the largest award of its kind in the world held at Dubai Internet City, Patrick Meier, an internationally recognized though-leader on humanitarian technology and innovation, underlined the role that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) can play in ensuring swift humanitarian relief and rehabilitation work.
According to ZAWYA, he said that it is important to sustain the momentum generated in advancing the drone technology stating that providing assistance to people when needed by leveraging UAVs is a ‘humanitarian imperative.’
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Presenting compelling portraits of how drones have helped distressed populations following natural disasters, Mr. Meier said that drone technology must be socially inclusive and employed for the welfare of the entire community, particularly calling for the participation of women. “Inclusivity is key and it is important to have a community-centered approach,” he said.
The applications of drones to revolutionize agriculture and bring amazing new advances across various sectors was highlighted by member of judging panel Vijay Kumar, UPS Foundation Professor at University of Pennsylvania, USA. Kumar said that deploying drone technology has the potential to elevate crop yields by 100 per cent through precision farming, while also achieving a decrease in the use of raw materials needed by 90 per cent. Kumar also elaborated on the variety application of drones in farming across various countries and how it can lead to increased productivity.
Launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the second Government Summit in February 2014, the UAE Drones for Good Award received hundreds of local responses as well as from all around the world. ‘The UAE Drones for Good Award’ aims to make optimal use of technology to serve humanity and enhance the happiness of the community through highly efficient service delivery.
