Abu Dhabi: A brand new workshop in the capital stocked with the latest manufacturing and design equipment will now allow amateur inventors and innovators convert their ideas into real-life pieces.
The 1,000 square-metre Innovator Space was opened by the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s human capital developer, the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC), on the first day of UAE Innovation Week.
“Over the last few years, we have seen increasing momentum in the fields of technology and innovation. This open-access workshop will further encourage tinkering and the development of creative new prototypes, and serve as a platform to connect innovators,” Majid Al Mail, senior manager and head of the Innovator programme at the TDC, told Gulf News.
The workshop is part of the TDC’s Innovator programme, which includes an annual showcasing event and competition, as well as a series of training events.
Located in Abu Dhabi’s Al Zeina suburb, it was inaugurated today (November 22) by Khalfan Al Rumaithi, deputy commander-in-chief of Abu Dhabi Police and member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Visitors to the Innovator Space can make use of professional grade equipment to work with metals, wood, plastics, circuitry and textiles. This includes sewing equipment, 3-D printers, woodwork tools and welding equipment. A total of 12 trained mentors will also assist users, and regular classes will help community members develop their skills.
Al Mail said that a lot of local innovators were currently working on drone technology. He added that the TDC’s Innovator initiative has so far been a “game-changer”.
“It has rebranded tinkering and manufacturing as cool rather than geeky. We also now have a database of 2,000 innovators, and we help them connect with academia and corporate entities so that they can work to make their creations commercially viable,” he said.
Individuals aged 13 and older can access all the facilities at Innovator Space. Access is provided through a monthly membership priced between Dh225 to Dh450 for different segments.
Innovator Space is run in collaboration with US-based public workshop provider, Techshop, which has allowed for the invention of devices that turn smartphones into card readers, or lasers to reduce hair loss.
