Lockheed Martin-Mubadala STEM challenge selects finalists

ABU DHABI, 6th August, 2017 (WAM) -- Six UAE-based university teams were selected as finalists for the inaugural UAE Unmanned Aerial System Payload Design Challenge, a joint programme run by Lockheed Martin and Mubadala Investment Company.

Launched in March 2017, the year-long initiative challenges university students to design, develop and integrate civilian and industrial applications for Lockheed Martins Indago an unmanned aerial system that is renowned for its endurance and adaptability across diverse sectors such as emergency response, national security, agriculture and commercial inspection.

Shortlisted from 63 applications, the finalists were chosen by an industry panel of executives from Lockheed Martin and Mubadala Investment Company.

Regarding the programme, Robert S. Harward, Chief Executive at Lockheed Martin UAE, said, "Lockheed Martins role will be to nurture and hone these students science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related skills, with the goal of transforming these ideas into commercial and industrial applications. Through this programme, we hope to bridge the gap between university and industry." The challenge is headquartered at Lockheed Martins Centre of Innovation and Security Studies at Masdar City, where students will have access to the companys manufacturing facility to build their prototypes, with the help of a 3D printer.

Finalists include a team from New York University Abu Dhabi that has proposed a Light Detection and Ranging sensor payload that can detect glacier dynamics and sea levels to gauge the impact of climate change. There is also an all-female team from the Higher Colleges of Technology Al Ain who have proposed a utilities application that involves a smart meter payload that can track electricity and water usage of residences in remote areas.

The other finalists are a team from Abu Dhabi Polytechnic that submitted a water sampling payload that can analyse water supplies in forests, mines and oceans; and a five-member team from the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, that has proposed a corrosion inspector payload, which involves a probe that can track and analyse metal pipes in oil and gas and water pipelines.

The final two include a six-member team from the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, whose lifeguard payload would track and assist distressed swimmers at sea and an all-female team from the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, with a payload to measure radiation levels for climate monitoring and incident response.

"Initiatives in STEM education and entrepreneurship matter, as they will help the UAE realise its goals of creating an agile, sustainable and knowledge-based economy," said Fatima Al Marzouqi, Head of Education and Training, Aerospace, Renewables and ICT, Mubadala.

"At Mubadala, we believe that todays youth are the pioneers of the future. Engaging them in the transformative process through smart and engaging programs is, therefore, essential. We look forward to seeing these ideas come to fruition over the course of the challenge," she added.