DUBAI // Sixteen innovative entries have qualified for the semi-final stage of the Drones for Good awards and are on track to bag Dh1 million and possibly a further US$1 million (Dh3.6m).
The contestants came up with drone applications in health, rescue services, traffic management, tourism and agriculture. Contestants also offered practical solutions to environmental issues such as desertification and water shortages.
New ideas for the use of drones included mapping of buildings and fully automated paid-parking systems.
The 16 semi-finalists were picked from 300 entries for the next stage, which focuses on using unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver government services to the people of the UAE.
State news agency Wam reported that the largest number of entries came from Emiratis and, of the 16 semi-finalists, five were nationals. The contest was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
One project synchronises video photographed by the drone with GPS-based maps to identify all the tourist sites in the UAE. Entrants from Dubai Health Authority devised drones to deliver medicine bags, first aid and test results. They can also deliver licences and health cards.
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