Podcast: Abu Dhabi's innovations laying out a new future

 Above: Prof. Tony Tzes, New York University - Abu Dhabi.

Alan Peaford talks to Professor Tony Tzes, the head of electrical and computer engineering at New York University’s campus in Abu Dhabi.

He and his team, working in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Airports Company  have developed a drone, fitted with a robotic arm that can inspect and work on inaccessible areas, for example the roof space on the new Midfield Terminal which towers more than 50 metres high.

This is a world first and the drone can take measurements or smell. It can detect cracks, it can clean,

Professor Tzes also explains how new “defender” autonomous drones are being tested that can identify intruder drones across a whole geofenced area the size of an airport.

Abu Dhabi is also trialing a new contactless kiosk that can be used at all of the airport touchpoints and can identify if a passenger has health issues such as Covid 19.

The programme also features the news highlights for the aviation industry in Africa and the Middle East.