Participation of key government entities in Award highlights potential of employing drone technology in UAE

Winner Etisalat’s drone to enhance quality of network coverage

Dubai, February 8, 2015: The final round of the UAE Drones for Good Award witnessed the participation of a number of major government entities in the UAE Government Entities Award category, highlighting the significant potential of employing this new technology in humanitarian services in the country. Etisalat emerged the winner as five government entities demonstrated projects capable of providing cost efficient and innovative services on the second and final day of the event today.

The winning drone demonstrated by Etisalat has the capability to enhance the quality of network coverage. Speaking on the occasion, Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chief Digital Services Officer, Etisalat, said: “Etisalat is keen to utilize innovative tools to provide future services in line with UAE’s Smart Government strategy.”

UAE Ministry of Interior participated in the award with a drone that can be used in law enforcement missions. The drone is capable of providing accurate information from scenes of clashes or accidents directly to the ministry’s operation centre. Capt. Ahmed Al Mansouri, Chief of the Strategic Planning Section at the Security Media Department, said the ministry has been working on drones that can serve the public since 2010 as part of its strategic mission to provide top quality law enforcement services.

The Ministry of Labour demonstrated a drone that can monitor labour camps and work sites while Dubai Civil Defence displayed early intervention capabilities in fire incidents using drones. Captain Ali Hassan Al-Mutawa, Director of Operations Management at the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defence, said the department has been working on the project after the second Government Summit last year. “The initiative comes as part of our strategy to adopt best practices in the field of fire hazard prevention, and rescue services in residential, commercial and industrial locations,” Al-Mutawa said.

Abu Dhabi Ports participated with a drone capable of monitoring ships and container traffic, aiming to use it as a key tool in managing the operations of ports efficiently. Rashid Al Marzouki, Director of Security Management in Abu Dhabi Ports, said the participation of Abu Dhabi Ports in UAE Drones for Good Award is a positive step in the adoption of innovative techniques in the management of port operations.