Drones for Good Competition Awards Search-and-Rescue Project
Flyability from Switzerland, makers of Gimball, a rescue drone with a protective cage, has won $1 million in the first ever UAE Drones for Good Award.
The competition launched at the 2014 Government Summit, and the finals took place this past weekend at the technology park Dubai Internet City with live demonstrations from 39 semifinalists.
Flyability’s drone can safely fly in confined spaces close to humans because of a rotating cage that contains the rotors and allows the aircraft to collide with obstacles and maintain its stability.
“We struggled to find funding to develop our search-and-rescue drone, but this UAE Government Summit initiative, Drones for Good, means we can commercially develop our project within a year and with Flyability able to go where it is dangerous for rescuers, help save lives,” says Flyability team lead Patrick Thevoz.
Other projects included drones for large-scale reforestation efforts, fog dissipation, wildlife monitoring and window cleaning.
“The Drones for Good Award is the first of its kind,” says Thevoz. “It is inspirational, because while there are many awards for academic research, there aren’t many for the social application of new technology. The Drones for Good Award is a unique opportunity to help people realize that these flying machines are capable of positively impacting society.”
