Nokia is collaborating with the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority for developing an end-to-end ecosystem to support an unmanned aerial network. At the heart of the new system is Nokia’s (NYSE:NOK) UAV Traffic Management concept, which will make the UAE the first country in the world to allow the operation of drones by both businesses and government agencies.
The deal follows a number of airspace closures at Dubai International Airport due to unauthorised drone activity in recent months, with the most recent taking place at the end of October.
The unmanned aerial system (UAS) will allow the operation of drones by businesses and government agencies in a secure and managed environment, according to Nokia.
The company said the project was part of Dubai’s 2017 smart city initiative and will allow security network operator Nedaa to develop a network for smart services within the GCAA regulatory framework.
Nokia’s UAV traffic management concept will help manage drones in and around cities, coordinate interactions with people, manned aircraft and connected objects.
The system will also provide automated flight permissions, no-fly zone control and beyond-visual-line-of-sight to ensure safe operations of drones and other aerial vehicles in urban areas.
The firm said it would allow the testing of drone technology while minimising the hazards unmanned aerial vehicles can present.
The traffic management system will be able to monitor airspace and flight paths and share data between UAVs, operators and air traffic controllers to establish no-fly zones that can be continually updated.
“This collaboration with the GCAA, the first of its kind in the world, gives us a unique and extensive test bed where we can trial and refine our UAV Traffic Management system, and shape the future of UAV management overall. This is an exciting opportunity that builds on our strong relationship with the UAE to help facilitate its smart city journey,” said Bernard Najm, head of the Middle East at Nokia.
Earlier this month, Dubai airline Emirates’ executive vice president and COO, Adel Al Redha, complained that flight disruptions due to unauthorised drone activity were costing it millions of dirhams.
