A2Z Drone Delivery Hosts Qatar’s Minister of Transportation
The A2Z Drone Delivery team recently had the opportunity to host the Qatar Minister of Transportation and his team of engineers to discuss how drone delivery will help shape the future of consumer and commercial transportation logistics. As Qatar continues to develop a long-term strategy for the future of its transportation infrastructure, the Minister has been seeking out the most cutting-edge logistics technologies that will help ensure the nation’s strategies draw from global best practices to position the country for the future.
To help identify these future technologies, the Transportation Ministry partnered with global logistics leader Deutsche Bahn. As one of the largest transport companies in the world, Deutsche Bahn is in a unique position to help the Minister predict the future of transport. In their recent tour of North America, Laura Flink, the Management Consultant for Sustainable Motive Power & Zero-Emission Technologies Deutsche Bahn North America identified A2Z Drone Delivery as leader in UAV delivery sector capable of introducing the Minister to the potential for drone-borne logistics networks.
Qatar Taking a Long-Term Approach to the Future of Transportation
Worldwide communities continue to strive for more sustainable urban mobility and commercial logistics operations, and the nation of Qatar is one of many countries with a long-term perspective on its vision for the transportation systems of tomorrow. As part of its Transportation Master Plan 2050 the nation’s leadership is developing a roadmap for investing in the future of its transportation infrastructure in a way that ensures integration with land uses, urban development, population growth and the future demand for transportation. Qatar’s master plan aims to put the country at the forefront of sustainable and innovative transportation solutions as it aims to boost the economy while improving the quality of life for citizens and residents, all while preserving the national identity of Qatar.
A Demo Day for the Minister
The A2Z team hosted the Minister’s visit at the Apollo 11 Model Aircraft Field in Los Angeles, CA where the delegation could experience first-hand drone deliveries. Opening with a briefing on the current state of UAS delivery in the US and around the world, the A2Z team helped the delegation explore how delivery drones contribute to Qatar’s goals for economic growth on the back of an environmentally sustainable transportation system.
The presentation started with the building blocks of drone delivery highlighting some of the innumerable use cases from medical deliveries to residential deliveries. The team introduced various delivery methods being tested by the industry from parachute drops to safer deliveries from altitude that keep spinning propellers away from people and property. The Ministry’s civil engineers were particularly interested in exploring the performance specifications of A2Z’s newest RDST off-the-shelf cargo drone and RDS2 drone winch.
The delegation also discussed how drone delivery could be implemented in Qatar more specifically. With its own unique drone laws and regulations, the team explored policy paths to balance regulatory elements unique to the nation such as photography restricted areas, and autonomous drone operations in its densely populated and futuristic capital city of Doha.
The Ministry team was then lead through a hands-on demonstration of a series of drone deliveries. The A2Z team performed a manual parcel delivery with our UAS winch, before showcasing A2Z’s autonomous delivery capabilities. The team looked on as multiple waypoints were plotted in the intuitive A2Z Ground Control Station, and a single tap of the “deliver” button sent the RDST on its autonomous flight neatly depositing its payload before returning to the takeoff location. The Qatar delegation then took the opportunity to pilot several delivery missions themselves, learning how to manually control the drone and execute autonomous deliveries.
Working for a Future of Sustainable Transportation
Building towards a future where efficient and sustainable logistics networks are prepared to not only support but drive economic growth is a worldwide effort. With its explorations of the latest technologies and worldwide best practices, the Qatar Ministry of Transportation is ensuring its nation and its infrastructure will be well positioned for that future. The A2Z Drone Delivery team is thankful for the opportunity to explore how commercial drone delivery will become a powerful element of that future.