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UAE-Based Drone Company Plans Wider MENA Expansion

UVL Robotics is broadening the scope of its commercial drone activities across the Middle East.

Published

1 year ago

September 1, 2023

Nour Nasir

uae-based drone company plans wider mena expansion

UVL Robotics

UVL Robotics, a UAE-based robotics startup, is the first company to provide a fully operational commercial drone delivery service in the MENA region. After winning several high-profile contracts, the company is now preparing to trial drone flights in Abu Dhabi — an Emirate with over 200 islands.

“It all depends on the graders,” explains CEO Eugene Grankin. “If they rate us well, we could soon get the permission to fly in Abu Dhabi.” Grankin has good reason to be confident. In 2021, after a tropical cyclone hit Oman, UVL drones were successfully deployed to deliver supplies. “We could deliver medicine to remote areas where it took a long time to reach by car,” the CEO explained.

uvl robotics 1

Today, UVL Robotics is focused on inventory management as well as delivery. In Europe, UVL drones can scan 300-750 pallets in under five seconds. The company now uses drones to perform stocktaking at more than 50 warehouse locations, with global companies like PepsiCo utilizing the service.

uvl robotics 2

In the Middle East, sustainability and CO₂ reduction are the primary drivers of drone adoption. Saudi Arabia plans to cut carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes per year, while the UAE has plans to reduce its own output by 31%. Research conducted by UVL found that drones produce 36% fewer emissions than moving the equivalent load volume by truck, despite each UAV having a payload of just 10kg.

As well as reducing CO₂, drones can also improve operational efficiency. In Oman, coastlines and rugged terrain mean that food deliveries typically take 30-60 minutes by human courier. With drones, that time is cut to a predictable 15 minutes. In addition, drones can handle over 30 orders daily, compared to just 20 when delivered by regular vehicle.

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Meanwhile, at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, UVL Robotics is preparing to launch campus-wide smart loading stations, which the company hopes will act as a blueprint for future smart city projects across the region.

Related Topics:Drones Robotics United Arab Emirates

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1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration

Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Nour Nasir

Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.

cyberdrone ac milan dubai

“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.

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Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.

This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.