Crash-proof ‘drone in a cage’ flies away with $1 million prize

Its creatorsSwiss company Flyabilityare traveling home from Dubai $1 million richer after winning the “Drones for Good” international competition, on February 7.

Gimball is described as the first “collision-tolerant drone,” utilizing a rotating spherical outer cage that means it can be used safely in close proximity with people. Designed to enter hostile environments — such burning buildings and radioactive sites — Gimball maps its surroundings and can “roll” across ceilings and floors, navigating restricted areas and transmit RGB and infrared images back to disaster relief services.

Unlike other rescue robots, where colliding with obstacles could spell the end of an expedition, Gimball is able to bounce back without losing its bearings or damaging its in-built camera.

Many entries focused on item delivery. David Kiarie’s catered for the 7.8 million people living in Kenya’s urban slums, aiming to alleviate traffic and provide vital services in hard-to-reach areas. Skynet’s Delivery Catchment System markets itself as a solution for package safety, and Dronlife by Innova addresses the problem of transporting donated organs.

Despite the competition drawing to a close, the UAE’s pioneering approach to drone technology is continuing in earnest with its Government Summit 2015. Taking place February 9-11, the summit will focus on radically reshaping government and public services through drones, robotics and other innovation.

CNN