Omani Company to develop drones and robots
Company also works with NASA to conduct field visits for Omani students
Ankaa Space and Technology, an Omani firm registered with the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED), began to establish the first centre for developing drones and robots for use in the fields of agriculture, housing and urban planning.
The company is also establishing an urban observatory platform deemed the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Mohammed Salim Al Riyami, CEO of Ankaa Space and Technology company, said, “To carry out its programmes, the company joins hands with a number of government institutions and private establishments like the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.”
He added that the company also works with NASA to conduct field visits for Omani students and joins hands with OQ to conduct advanced research in the field of robotics. The activities include programming drones and artificial intelligence (AI) applications to serve various sectors, he explained
Back in 2020, new rules regulating drone usage could result in fines of up to OMR 600 for unsafe deployment of drones in the Sultanate. The rules, released by the Civil Aviation Authority, streamlines the usage of drones in Oman with fees ranging between OMR 25 and OMR 500 for permits.
The decision classifies drones into three categories based on their weight. Drones which are less than 5 kg, aircraft with mass ranging from 5 to 25 kg and aircraft weighing more than 25 kg.
To obtain a license to use an aircraft weighing less than 5 kg, individuals must pay OMR 25 as fees, and government agencies and small commercial companies must pay OMR 100 riyals, while the fees for large commercial enterprises are OMR 300.” - with inputs from Agencies
