TRA Participates as a Strategic Partner in Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge

Mobilk - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities (TRA), represented by the ICT Fund and the Spectrum Management Affairs Department, has participated in Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in Yas Marina Circuit, from 16 to 18 March 2017.

In the details, the ICT Fund has participated as a strategic partner in the Challenge. Through its stand, the working team has provided a series of presentations on the ICT Funds initiatives and activities, such as Betha Program which aims to meet the growing needs of the ICT sector by signing cooperation agreements with several leading educational institutions in the country. The Betha program sends distinguished UAE students in this field to pursue their studies in the worlds most prestigious international universities.

Moreover, the Spectrum Affairs Team has contributed to the success of this event through monitoring the uses of frequency spectrum during the Challenge. The Team has worked on providing a safe environment for the use of spectrum by the organizers, participating teams and visitors, and reducing the harmful interference to the existing services of the licensees since the radio communications used in the drones are subjected to the applicable regulations in the country. The Spectrum Affairs Team has already had successful participations in several important national events, most notably the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi and the UAE Drones for Good Award recently held in Dubai.

Furthermore, the TRA Customer Happiness Team has provided brief on the new initiatives prepared for the occasion of the consumers  week, including launching a campaign to promote the consumers rights and happiness, titled o be happy know your rights. The campaign includes several awareness raising questions about the consumers rights, along with prizes for those who provide correct answers.

Commenting on this participation, H.E Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: Our participation reflects our commitment to the wise leadership vision aimed at enhancing the dissemination of innovation culture among the young generation in the country, as well as enhancing the UAEs position as a regional and global center to incubate talents and competencies, and encouraging them to provide innovative solutions that benefit the process of scientific and technological development nationally and internationally. In TRA, we are committed to develop and enable the creative capabilities of youth since they are the tool for change and development as well as the ultimate goal of all sustainable development plans in the country. Accordingly, we are keen to closely monitor them and provide them with scholarships in the most prestigious international universities, to ensure that they receive the necessary knowledge required to meet the planning needs of the national plans during the next phase, according to UAE vision 2021, and Abu Dhabi vision 2030."

H.E Al Mansoori added: This Challenge carries a humanitarian dimension, as it focuses on how to use technology for the service of humans, especially saving lives in emergencies and disasters. Additionally, it is in line with the regional and global role of the UAE in this field on the one hand, and a practical implementation of announcing the 2017 as the year of giving on the other. The attendance of this large number of talents from around the world reflects the importance of this Challenge, and provides a platform for exchanging expertise among the top decision-makers and specialists in the field of technology and smart solutions

H.E Al Mansoori indicates that: The TRA, represented by the ICT Fund, has recently organized the UAE Drones for Good Award and the UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good, which was held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and it witnessed an extensive participation of around 20 teams from the UAE, in addition to 20 international teams."

The total value of the awarded prizes in the Challenge reached 5 Million US Dollars, while the number of teams that reached the final stage is 25 teams representing the most important universities in the world. This Challenge is held according to a scenario that simulates disaster response scenarios, which requires cooperation and coordination between the terrestrial and air robotic vehicles, to execute independent navigation tasks in a complex environment. This Challenge will contribute in supporting the development of disaster response mechanisms, thereby saving hundreds of lives in a real emergency. It is worth mentioning that this Award is held once every two years. Moreover, the winners and prizes will be announced on Saturday 18 March 2017.