Drones to prevent suicides from high-rise buildings

Sharjah - Speaking to Khaleej Times, Lt. Omar Bu Khalifa, director of the legal applications and technical support, said the drone was launched for security purposes.

As part of the innovation week organised at Expo Centre by the Sharjah Media Centre, the Sharjah Police displayed a drone called (sakhab) designed to prevent suicide from the high rise buildings.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Lt. Omar Bu Khalifa, director of the legal applications and technical support, said the drone was launched for security purposes. This year alone, 23 suicide attempts have been reported from various parts of Sharjah, he said.
The drone functions at a speed of 45kmph and it can reach to very high levels. It is equipped with 4k cameras which helps detect the movement of the person who is attempting suicide. It thus gives the police the time to save him. The drones have speakers fitted with a SIM card to help the police communicate and negotiate with person trying to commit suicide.
The drone can also be used in cases of protests or rallies, in fire accidents and drownings. It can survey the sea and in case of fires, it can fly above high rises and notify residents to evacuate.
The cameras attached in the drone are linked to the operations room of the police. The battery of the drone lasts for 20 minutes, when it has to return to the base for recharging.
At a cost of Dh100,00, the police are planning to increase the number of Sakhab to make it available to all patrols.
His Highness Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, who inaugurated the Innovation Week activities at the Sharjah Expo Centre hailed the role played by the UAE in promoting the spirit of innovation in the country by encouraging ideas and supporting innovators. This came during the launch of the UAE Innovation Week amid great fanfare. Hundreds of innovators, scientists, academics, experts and students came together to exchange and showcase brave new ideas.
More than 30 Sharjah government departments, universities and private sector entities are participating in the event.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

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