A professor of mechatronics engineering, at the federal University of technology Minna (FUTMinna), Abiodun Musa Aibinu, has stated that appropriate deployment of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) would assist in solving societal challenges, especially in the areas of healthcare delivery, improvement of health facilities, and boosting digital economy.
Aibinu who is chairman, local organising committee (LOC) for the 2020 UAV competition for researchers and scientists in Nigeria, said that deploying UAV would also help to accelerate the nation’s drive towards digital economy, through prompt transport delivery and payment system.
The UAV competition, billed to commence between November 23 and 26, 2020, in Kaduna state, is themed, “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Challenge 2020.”
Aibinu, while briefing journalists on the level of preparedness put in place by their LOC, further said that the effective adoption of UAV would help in the distribution of food, drugs and other essential healthcare items during critical period in rural areas, or in congested locations in major cities.
He added that UAV can also be used as part of telemedicine process.
The mechatronics professor, disclosed that the UAV competition was conceived based on its numerous benefits, and how it can be used to support government agencies deliver effective healthcare service to citizens, in the light of the challenges posed by flood and other disaster related issues.
He said the competition would help to build a database of researchers with UAV skills in Nigeria.
“After the event, the LOC would commence a well-structured mentorship programme for the winning teams, while ensuring they have access to hi-tech UAV equipment in order to enhance their skills,” Aibinu said.
He advised interested participants to log on to the event’s website for registration, adding that a panel of experts would look at the submissions and invite the teams/persons whose submissions met the competition’s criteria, for participation at the grand finale in Kaduna. According to the don, there are different categories of prizes for winners of the competition.
