UAE sets up USD 1 mln prize to invent public service drones

The UAE has launched an international competition with a cash prize of USD 1 million for inventing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to deliver government services more efficiently and conveniently.
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the Higher Committee for Mobile Government Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi announced the initiative at a news conference here on the sidelines of a summit.
Companies, universities, creative individuals and specialised professionals will all be invited to participate in the competition, said officials.
"We are committed to constant innovation in government services because ultimately this is the surest way to improve quality of life for all citizens, residents and visitors," Gergawi said.

The UAE intends to develop drone technology to deliver a variety of civilian services more quickly and effectively, a statement said.
This will support the government's drive to make citizens' lives easier by delivering private-sector standards of customer service, it said.

Potential applications include the delivery of government documents, traffic and infrastructure monitoring, and services in health and education. The competition will be run by a committee of specialists in UAVs and government officials.
Together they will evaluate how effectively each UAV innovation would add value by making government services more efficient, and by saving time and effort for customers.

The UAV inventions must meet global safety standards, must be highly reliable, and must be capable of covering a reasonable geographical range within the city that will use them, it said.
Contestants' submissions should include a full proposal detailing all technical features required for the drone to carry out a defined government service, it added.
The winner of the USD 1 million international prize will be announced in February 2015.
The winner of USD one million UAE dirham local prize will be announced in May 2014. The winning idea will be implemented within the UAE Federal Government.