Media ININ Economy We Trust
Media IN Abu-Dhabi 20th May, 2019 (WAM)
Krypto Labs, a global innovation hub based in Abu Dhabi , has shortlisted teams from Phase I and the opening of Phase II of the ‘Drone X Challenge 2020’, a multi million dollar challenge for innovation in drone delivery technologies.
The shortlisted teams of the first phase received $320,000 in research and development grants, which required applicants to provide a technical proposal detailing the design of a drone system capable of carrying heavy payloads for long durations.
During this first phase, Krypto Labs received 584 applications from 55 countries.
The shortlisted teams of Drone X challenge 2020 phase I:
Multi-rotor battery powered
- Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) from Taiwan
- KopterKraft from Germany
Multi -rotor hydrocarbon / hybrid powered
- DV8 Tech from USA
- Richen Power from China
- Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) from Taiwan
Fixed -wing hydrocarbon/ hybrid powered
- Forward Robotics from Canada
Fixed wing battery powered
- Vulcan UAV Ltd from UK
- Rigi Tech from Switzerland\
Companies that want to apply for Drone X Challenge 2020 Phase II will have to develop an ‘MVP’ capable of achieving the minimum endurance and payload as per the category they are applying to. The outstanding applications that meet the requirements of Phase II will receive US$300,000 in grants.
The Managing Director of Krypto Labs said, “This competition aligns with our efforts in contributing to the development of drone technology globally, as the drone market in the UAE is already among the most advanced in the region.”
“We aim to redefine the way drone technologies are impacting our lives, and Krypto Labs is proud to be leading the way in the region by supporting startups, established companies, and industries involved in the field of drone development. By catalysing and supporting these innovative solutions, we aim to continue leveraging disruptive technologies that can create value and make an impact,” he added.
The challenge’s three phases will be run over two years, providing $620,000 in grants during the first and second phases, and $1 million during the final phase.
