Page 58 - World Airnews Magazine April 2021

NEWS DIGITAL

MENA REGION’S URBAN AIR

MOBILITY MOVES

launched their Vision 2021 and Vision In the UAE, the General Civil Aviation
2030 National Agendas, respectively, to Authority (GCAA) has issued a framework
As society becomes more conscious explore methods that move away from of rules to govern urban air mobility (UAM)
of the effects of climate change, cities all fossil fuels and diversify their energy mix to create conditions for the safe, secure
over the world are looking at alternative while also developing projects like NEOM, and efficient operation of flights in close
methods to power their urban areas. a sustainable ecosystem for living and proximity to populated urban areas.
Population growth, coupled with the working. With these regulations, the country is
With the groundwork already being laid
demand for resources, is forcing author- for these environments across the globe, set to become the first in the world to
ities to look into smarter, greener and one key element in the development monitor the entire UAV ecosystem from
more sustainable alternatives for their of these green cities is mobility and in take-off to landing.
communities. particular, the movement of unmanned With this in mind, the Bell team has
The influx of new technology has helped aerial vehicles (UAVs) in urban areas. been developing technology that offers
facilitate this, in turn increasing the While still in its infancy, UAVs can convenient, safe and environmentally
conversations around methods to save provide solutions for numerous industries beneficial ways to move people, goods and
time, reduce costs and maximise energy to that face challenges with pollution, information.
power the cities of the future. congestion and traffic safety. These Building on its 85 years of innovation in
Prompted by the Internet of Things (IoT), electrically powered aerial vehicles offer the aerospace sector, Bell has developed
the potential to create smart, eco-friendly an opportunity to utilise more renewable new technology such as the Autonomous
cities remains hugely untapped. energy sources such as wind, solar or Pod Transport (APT).
Countries in the Middle East and Africa hydro-power to help fuel air travel of the The APT is an autonomous UAV designed
are realising the potential of smart cities future. to perform multiple missions, including
and their overall benefit to their societies. Present-day unmanned vehicles have package delivery, critical medical transport
From investments in alternative forms longer operational duration and require and disaster relief.
of mobility to discussions on renewable less maintenance than earlier models. APT provides the logistics industry a low-
energy, countries have started putting These aircraft can be deployed in a variety emission option for last-mile and hard-to-
together strategies on how they envision of terrains thanks to improved technology reach deliveries, helping to decarbonise
an eco-friendly world. and are being used in various ways. the supply chain. APT offers a solution
For instance, in 2018, South Africa raised Advances in propulsion and guidance for third-party logistics companies who
over (US) $53 billion to invest in renewable technologies are also helping make UAVs emitted 13.8 million metric tons of CO² in
energy, while other countries in the a reality. (year) while delivering 5.1 billion packages
continent increased their own investments Already, in some parts of Africa, UAVs by ground or air, according to a 2019
to (US) $7.4 billion. are being used to deliver blood, vaccines report.
The Middle East has seen a similar and other medical supplies to rural areas Furthermore, APT offers a solution
approach with the likes of the United for people who require immediate medical to conserve energy through its unique
Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, who attention. tailsitter design and can carry heavier

World Airnews | April Extra 2021
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