The project Wings for Aid, an unmanned aircraft that can fly independently to crisis and disaster areas and inaccessible locations, has been awarded an iF PUBLIC VALUE AWARD in the category ‘Vehicles and Mobility of the Future’.
The iF PUBLIC VALUE AWARD was created to recognize projects that contribute to finding solutions to pressing social problems, and thus help to advance society. The jury assessed Wings for Aid, which included the project’s problem solving capability, and awarded the project the highest score possible.
The Wings for Aid drone is not a remote controlled aircraft, it flies independently and navigates using GPS coordinates. The drone can travel a distance of approximately 200 kilometres and deliver aid of up to 100 kilos, quickly and securely. This project is the result of close cooperation between three Dutch Universities of Technology (Delft, Eindhoven and Twente), I+Solutions, AvioniCS Control Systems and design agency VanBerlo. Additionally, experts from the Red Cross, the UN and the Ministry of Defence have shared their knowledge in the field of practical application, UAVs and logistics.
Late last year it was announced that the Dutch government would place €1.5 million in the emergency reserve fund for the further development of this humanitarian drone. With this funding, the construction of the prototype drone is expected to be realised in 2016, which will be followed by the first production in 2017.
Source: VanBerlo
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