News
Abu Dhabi Hosts Middle East’s First Passenger Drone Trials
MLG and Abu Dhabi Mobility hosted an exhibition of cutting-edge technology, along with two test flights.
In recent years, Abu Dhabi has become a pioneer and champion of smart and sustainable mobility, attracting industry-leading startups and experts from around the world. The first Abu Dhabi Mobility Week, held between 24th April and 1st May 2024, showcased this innovation while also hosting the Middle East’s first-ever passenger-carrying drone trials.
.@ad_mobility, in association with @MultiLevelGroup, has conducted the Middle East’s first passenger-carrying drone trials in #AbuDhabi. The trials took place as part of Abu Dhabi Mobility Week, and further affirmed the emirate as a hub for smart and autonomous vehicle innovation pic.twitter.com/tUVLzdbfZn
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) May 8, 2024
Multi Level Group (MLG), a pioneer of “advanced automation and digital transformation solutions”, teamed up with Abu Dhabi Mobility to present an exhibition of cutting-edge drone technology, which included two test flights. The first showcase featured a five-seater drone with a 25 km range and potential payload of up to 350 kg, while the second involved a smaller drone able to carry two passengers up to 35 km for around 20 minutes.
محمد حمد الظاهري، عضو مجلس إدارة مجموعة "ملتي ليفل"، يتحدَّث عن أهمية الرحلة التجريبية لطائرة بدون طيار مع راكب، ودورها في الإسهام في تطوير قطاع التنقُّل الجوي، عبر توظيف أحدث التقنيات لدعم تسيير الرحلات الجوية الآمنة بين المدن. pic.twitter.com/VoPG6PEY4t
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) May 8, 2024
Mohammed Hamad Al Dhaheri, a Multi-Level Group board member, made history at the mobility expo by becoming the first person in the Middle East to board an eVTOL for a demonstration flight. Al Dhaheri explained to the press that future plans also involved manufacturing passenger drones in the UAE: “starting with drone structure and gradually moving forward until we manufacture small parts such as motors and batteries, ensuring the technology is fully developed and exported from the UAE to the world”.
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The milestone test flights represent a significant addition to Abu Dhabi’s achievements in the drone and micro-mobility sectors. The emirate’s forward-thinking strategy is rapidly making it a global hub for smart and autonomous vehicles while plans continue at pace to develop a sophisticated infrastructure for driver and pilot-less vehicles.
News
Flowwow Reveals AI-Powered Rebrand, Blending Tech With Emotion
The new look includes a redesigned logo, AI-driven visuals, and upgraded packaging, reflecting aims for further expansion.
Flowwow, a UAE-based gifting marketplace that partners with local shops in more than 30 countries, has introduced a refreshed brand identity, built by merging artificial intelligence with human creativity. The rebranding includes a redesigned logo, AI-driven visuals, and upgraded packaging, reflecting the company’s evolving position in the gifting sector.
Flowwow’s CEO and Co-founder, Slava Bogdan, explained: “From our roots as a flower delivery service, Flowwow has evolved into a marketplace for gifts and emotions in over 30 countries. [Our] strategic vision has become the cornerstone of our rebranding. Flowwow remains the platform that blends the best of both worlds: the personal touch of local entrepreneurs and the convenience of cutting-edge technology. We’ve redefined the gifting experience, making it effortless, enjoyable, and truly personal”.
The company has utilized AI to break away from conventional design limitations, resulting in a more dynamic and engaging brand presence. By leveraging Midjourney’s neural networks, Flowwow generated thousands of images to assist designers in ideating the new identity, accelerating the creative process by up to 20%.
As part of its rebranding, Flowwow aims to expand into a full-service global gifting platform, offering both innovation and convenience. Recognizing the potential of e-gifting in the MENA region, Flowwow is planning to onboard additional local vendors while expanding product lines to over 25 categories to suit regional preferences, including pastries, indoor plants, fragrances, hamper boxes, and home decor.
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The company is also committed to supporting local businesses, working with SMEs to drive economic growth in the MENA region’s burgeoning e-commerce sector. Research indicates that the UAE’s gifting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% through 2029, while the overall e-commerce market will rise by 8.63% annually, reaching $10.56 billion by the same year.
Flowwow aims to capitalize on this growth by expanding further into the MENA region and further afield by 2024-2025.