Second ‘UAE Drones for Good Award’ announces opening of entries to $1m competition

The Organising Committee of the second edition of the US$1 million ‘UAE Drones for Good Award' has announced that it will start accepting entries for the award from June 15th.

The award, which is open to individuals, teams, universities and companies from around the world, also offers Dh1 million for the winner at the national level. The winners will be honoured at a special ceremony in February 2016 before the fourth Government Summit.

On the occasion, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UAE Drones for Good Award, said, "Under the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE aims to become the global hub of civilian application of drones technology. The award will help develop government services and encourage international talent to innovate and create ideas in partnership with high-level institutions and universities. Through this award, the UAE is offering the opportunity for entrepreneurs and incubators to invest in this area which is set to emerge as a multi-billion dollar sector in the coming years."

Saif Al Aleeli, Coordinator General of the Award, said, "The UAE Drones for Good Award in its second edition will promote it as a global platform for innovative ideas by facilitating the participation of the main players in this sector and organising brainstorming sessions in partnership with universities and research centres locally and globally."

The UAE Drones for Good Award aims to encourage innovation in the civilian application of drones technology and promote the development of legal frameworks in this area. The award will not only honour achievements in drone technology but also inspire creative minds to follow the path of innovation to serve humanity.

The main categories of the award include, but are not limited to: Environment, Education, Logistics, Transport, Construction and Infrastructure, Healthcare, Civil Defence, Tourism, Social Services, Economic Development, Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief.

The Award will receive submissions in the International and National competitions until November 1st, 2015. Those interested in participating can register through the Award website along with submissions of their videos and proposals. The proposals will be reviewed by a judging panel of global experts, following which 10 applicants from each category in the International and National competitions will be selected for the next round which will be announced on November 22nd, 2015.

The semi-finalists will be brought to Dubai to present a working prototype and give a live demonstration of their ideas in front of the panel of judges, which includes high-profile experts and specialists in drone technologies. The members of the panel of judges will be announced at a later date.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a working prototype for the final stage of the competition, offering a genuine service or solution to a real human need. They should suggest new ways of improving an existing service using drones, or offer new kinds of services that could be implemented practically and economically through these technologies. In addition, the projects should be semi- or fully autonomous, as well as innovative, futuristic and use the most advanced civilian technology available. They should also be safe, effective and economical.

Individuals, teams, universities and companies are eligible to participate in both the National and International competitions. UAE citizens and residents may choose to participate in either the National Competition or the International Competition, while contestants who are not UAE citizens or residents are eligible to participate only in the International Competition.

The UAE Drones for Good Award was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid during the second Government Summit in February 2014, in line with the vision of His Highness to employ civilian applications of drone technology for improving people's lives.

The award, in its first edition, attracted more than 800 participants from 57 countries. A collision resistant drone by Swiss team Flyability won the US$1 million prize in the International Competition, while Wadi Drones by Matt Karau received the Dh 1 million prize in the National Competition.