UAE to provide ideal environment for unmanned systems enthusiasts

Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP), a subsidiary of Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun), has announced the launch of a competition for unmanned systems, in collaboration with Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The announcement came on the sidelines of the UMEX Unmanned Systems Exhibition 2022 and the collaboration aims to attract young national talent and hobbyists to compete in an unmanned system contest that will be announced later. A technical working team will form a special committee to set the rules, timings and registration methods for the competition.

Faiz Saleh Al-Nahdi, CEO of TIP, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President at the Khalifa University of Science Technology, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the organisation and launching of the competition, before the end of the year.

Al-Nahdi commented that organising such a competition comes as part of Tawazun’s ongoing collaboration with its strategic partners, including Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi Remote Control Club (ADRCC), to promote these type of activities and to provide an ideal environment for unmanned systems enthusiasts.

“Tawazun, through TIP, is eager to assist innovative student activities, especially in the field of design and programming used in unmanned systems, drones and other scientific and technological fields,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of attracting and developing young talent and instilling the culture of innovation and teamwork, to enable them to develop practical solutions to potential challenges.

For his part, Dr. Arif Al Hammadi said that the university is keen to support activities and events associated with the development of national competencies and talents that are related to the fields of applied engineering and technological sciences.

He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to work with TIP, in organising a competition that will contribute to the introduction and provision of innovative solutions to challenges that exist in areas of importance to various sectors.

He also said that this competition constitutes an ideal opportunity for students studying in the field of engineering and its technical applications to apply the knowledge that they have acquired in a practical way, adding that the competition will focus on the importance of robotics and AI in addressing the challenges of real-life situations.

Faiz Al-Nahdi also signed another MoU with Jamal Musallam Al Mazrouei, from the Abu Dhabi Remote Control Club. Under the MoU, the club, located in Abu Dhabi’s Al Samha area, will host performance testing and live trials for the various competition projects, especially those focusing on aviation systems.

Al Mazrouei said that the club is very happy to be a partner in the organisation of such a competition, and proud to host the inaugural edition at its facilities.

He outlined that the club, which was founded in 2010, has approximately 4 square kilometres of land including a 300-metre long runway designed for unmanned aircraft, in addition to providing offices and rest areas, equipped for the public.