UAE announces global 'Drones for Good' award

The UAE has started accepting entries for the 'UAE Drones for Good Award', the largest-ever award for exploring civilian applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) technology for making people's lives simpler.
The award, launched as per the direction of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has two parts; an international prize offering USD 1 million and a local prize of USD 2,75,000.
All entries will be assessed by local and international committees, based on specific criteria such as safety, effectiveness, economic feasibility and efficiency.
The international prize will recognise the best ideas for using UAV's in the next 1 to 3 years, focusing on their broader application in any area that may benefit humanity.

The local prize will honour the best application for delivering government services in the UAE within the next 12 months, focusing on priority sectors such as health, education, civil defense, transportation, and other services.
Examples include delivering government services in remote areas to humanitarian applications such as providing relief during natural disasters.

Both the awards are part of a larger campaign to encourage talent and innovation in the application of emerging technologies for improving people's lives.
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi said the award is a demonstration of Sheikh Maktoum's vision to raise the government's role in supporting innovation in future-related technologies and services that impact positively on people's lives.

"This is another step in our efforts to achieve our goal of utilising technology to make life easier for people in the UAE and around the world," Gergawi said.
"The world has young innovators who need the support to translate their ideas into landmark projects of benefit to humanity. The award is therefore aimed at encouraging innovation among the global students and in universities," he said.