His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), launched the Middle East’s pioneering drone delivery system at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). This area is recognized as a special economic zone dedicated to knowledge and innovation and is part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The launch event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority.
First order successfully delivered
H.H. placed the inaugural order through the drone delivery system, utilizing the platform from the Rochester Institute of Technology-Dubai (RIT-Dubai), one of the designated landing points within DSO’s drone delivery network. This order was successfully delivered from one of the community’s take-off points.
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Commitment to advanced infrastructure
Moreover, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reiterated Dubai’s dedication to enhancing advanced infrastructure and nurturing an innovative atmosphere to promote smart logistics and state-of-the-art air transport solutions. This initiative aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aimed at positioning Dubai as a frontrunner among cities prepared for the future.
Furthering Dubai's leadership in future mobility, we launched the Middle East's first-of-its-kind drone delivery system today. We have directed teams to expand the system's coverage to 33% of Dubai. I thank all government entities and private sector partners who helped make this… pic.twitter.com/nYoMGYzOes
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 17, 2024
Strategic focus on economic diversification
His Highness said: “We continue to support projects that drive a diversified, flexible digital economy by leveraging advanced technology in Dubai and empowering the aviation and air transport sectors. Our strategy places a high priority on strengthening public-private partnerships to catalyse research and development (R&D), sustainable growth, and smart mobility. This aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top three urban economies.”
Emphasizing R&D and innovation
Highlighting the importance of economic growth driven by R&D and innovation, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said: “Over the past years, we have launched a series of programs in Dubai aimed at promoting the development of smart city solutions, enhancing economic integration between various sectors, and employing technology in the service of society, such as the Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation, the Dubai Robotics and Automation Program, the Dubai Research and Development Program, and Dubai’s annual plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence. Today, we are reaping the impressive results of these initiatives and continuing the transformational projects that will double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033.”
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed further said: “The future of robotic technologies and self-driving systems for retail services, and knowledge-based economic applications, innovation, digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence have all become a reality in Dubai.”
His Highness emphasised Dubai’s pioneering role in driving innovation and creating new opportunities. “Dubai has consistently led the way in advancing research, innovation, and the adoption of transformative technologies. A decade ago, we introduced the UAE Drones for Good Award to encourage the positive use of drone technology. Today, we have reached a significant milestone with operational readiness to commence drone delivery operations. Through strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, we aim to further raise the quality of services, enhance quality of life, and accelerate economic growth.”
Notable figures in attendance
The launch event was attended by notable figures such as His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); His Excellency Lieutenant General Talal Belhoul Al Falasi, president of Dubai’s State Security Department; along with several other senior officials.
Dubai: Laboratory for future technologies
His Highness’ remarks coincided with the completion of a collaborative project involving the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), which finalized preparations for launching drone delivery services in DSO. Their collaborative efforts have led to the establishment of dedicated air routes that integrate seamlessly with existing airspace in DSO.
Excellence in air transport solutions
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum emphasized that Dubai’s global leadership in aviation, logistics, and future mobility is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This foresight has positioned Dubai as a premier hub for air transport and aviation solutions. Dubai also excels in research, development, and the testing of cutting-edge technologies, including drones and their associated services, harnessing these innovations to promote development and serve communities around the globe.
The pilot programs at Dubai Silicon Oasis were the result of the Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation, which was initiated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan in 2021. The memorandum of understanding to commence the program’s operations was signed by various government and private sector entities, including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Roads and Transport Authority, Fakeeh University Hospital, Majid Al Futtaim, and Emirates SkyCargo.
In recent months, Dubai Silicon Oasis has hosted a series of pilot operations for drone delivery to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety and security. This initiative was conducted in collaboration with the DCAA and Keeta Drone, a leader in this domain and the most recognized drone delivery platform in China, marking the company’s first expansion outside the Greater China region.
Pioneering program
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, executive chairman of DIEZ, said: “DIEZ is committed to supporting initiatives that utilise advanced technologies to facilitate people’s daily lives, and provide a conducive environment to pilot smart solutions ahead of implementation. We are proud to be a key partner of the Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 2021.”
He added: “We are delighted to launch drone delivery operations at DSO, which has become an internationally recognised lab for the latest smart technologies. The launch marks a new milestone in the shift towards a future of technological innovation. We are committed to working with both, the private and public sectors, to test and implement projects and initiatives in the smart mobility field, in a bid to offer the emirate’s residents the most advanced smart services as part of the emirate’s broader strategy to make Dubai the world’s best place to live.”
World’s most future-ready city
His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Linjawi, director general of DCAA, said: “We are committed to making a vital contribution to enhancing Dubai’s position as one of the cities best prepared for the future and a global hub for innovation in the aviation sector. This new achievement in the field of drone delivery reflects the continuous efforts made by the emirate under the guidance of the wise leadership, which has always attached great importance to developing safe and efficient transportation solutions that contribute to improving quality of life, strengthening Dubai’s future economy and making it a leading model in developing and implementing smart solutions in the field of aviation.”
He added: “Drone delivery will reach 33 percent of Dubai by 2030, positioning the emirate as a pioneer in smart mobility. We will continue our pioneering role in creating new opportunities by regulating and operating drones and paving the way for the introduction of various emerging and promising technologies in the field of aviation in cooperation with government and private entities, and applying the best international practices to ensure the safety of air operations and using the latest technologies to enhance the efficiency of advanced logistics services.”
Designing and implementing the future
His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, stressed that this achievement embodies the forward-thinking vision of the leadership and Dubai’s commitment to design and execute the future. It also reflects Dubai’s remarkable successes in developing advanced infrastructure and creating integrated systems to support the growth of smart mobility, delivery, and logistics services over the past years.
Belhoul noted: “The Dubai Future Foundation is committed to collaborating with public and private entities, in line with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s directives to accelerate progress in vital economic and future sectors.”
“We will continue to work with our partners through various projects, programs, and initiatives, such as the ‘Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation,’ the ‘Dubai Robotics and Automation Program,’ and the ‘Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation Program’. This aligns with our mission to reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most future-ready cities,” Belhoul added.
Dr. Yinian Mao, VP of Meituan and president of Keeta Drone, the overseas arm of the drone delivery unit of Meituan, a leading tech-driven retail company in China, said: “Our venture in the Middle East aligns with the parent company’s growth strategy. We are excited to have an ideal partner such as Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority that offers businesses and investors three economic zones of choice to ensure the right platform to establish and grow in this region. Through our presence in Dubai Silicon Oasis, we are keen to bring drone delivery solutions to its community and look forward to expanding the initiative across Dubai, and the wider region.”
Academic and research lab
Dr. Yousef Al-Assaf, president of Rochester Institute of Technology in Dubai, said: “We are proud to forge a unique partnership with diverse public and private sector entities in the project to test, implement and launch the first drone delivery system in the Middle East, from Dubai Silicon Oasis, which consolidates its position as a hub for future technologies. The participation of RIT-Dubai, headquartered in DSO, in this pioneering project enables it to develop its academic competencies, empower local talent, and provide a world-class academic and research laboratory environment.”
Advanced algorithms
Utilizing state-of-the-art flight control algorithms and multi-sensor fusion positioning technology, the drone is engineered to operate effectively in diverse urban landscapes. It features low-noise propellers, a parachute, and a flight control system, all developed in-house.
