Saudi Arabia has carried out a pilot trial to deliver postal parcels using drones, in a move officials say could transform the kingdom’s logistics and postal services.
The test, an effort between the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Transport General Authority, was conducted on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Rumaih Al Rumaih, vice minister of Transport and Logistics Services, said the introduction of drone technology represented a major leap forward for the postal sector. He added that it will “open new horizons” for expanding delivery services and developing innovative solutions aligned with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation goals.
The pilot is part of the kingdom’s wider strategy to enhance efficiency in postal and logistics services, ensuring they keep pace with fast-evolving global trends while meeting customer needs, Mr Al Rumaih added.
The GACA has recently updated its aviation safety regulations in line with guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, laying the groundwork for wider adoption of drone applications in the kingdom, the SPA reported.
The drone trial is also part of broader Vision 2030 efforts to integrate advanced technologies into daily life.
During this year's Hajj season, Saudi Arabia used drones to monitor pilgrims and ensure public safety.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
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RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
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Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
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Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
