Category: Aerial Photography

For almost five years, agricultural drones have been revolutionizing the landscape of farming. Undoubtedly next generation farming, drones have contributed to helping farmers to understand every square inch of their acreage and even cut down on the pesticides they use.

Before the deployment of drones, farmers had little choice but to use heavy, expensive machinery to manage each harvest. Today, this has completely changed. Crop analysis can be achieved by simply piloting a drone and taking aerial photography.

Moreover, diseases, pests’ pesticides can be identified at a much earlier stage with precision farming techniques. Using drones to take aerial photography in Dubai – or aerial photography of any agricultural landscape the world over – allows farmers to collect valuable data and images, allowing them to optimize each harvest.

Agricultural Drones of Today

As you’d likely expect, agricultural drones have become increasingly sophisticated over the last few years. The innovative technology combined with a cost-effective solution has seen farmers employ drones to great effect.

From real-time monitoring to automated planting and crop management, it’s clear that drones will play a pivotal role in the future of farming, and not just in Dubai. In fact, Japan has been using drones to for rice growing for years and the USA and with the UK are both beginning to see the mainstream adoption of drone technology within the farming sector.

The surge in using drones for agricultural purposes has prompted many farmers to consider which is the best farming drone. So, if you’re considering investing in the future of farming but are unsure which drone is best suited for your application, then you’re in luck. Leading drone company, DJI has recently launched two new drones specific for agricultural application.

The DJI Agras T16

If you’re looking for a drone that offers superior practical application with features that go a step further than shooting aerial photography in Dubai and can disperse pesticides proficiently to crops over an expansive square footage them the DJI Agras T16 is just the drone for you.

Featuring outstanding flight performance and supported by the T16 spray can take which can carry up to 16 litres per flight and has disperse vector of 6.5 metres. With such exceptional functionality, it’s not hard to see why the T16 is being lauded as one of the best farming drones on the market today.

Anything else? Yes. The T16’s superior functionality is further bolstered when you factor into account its spraying system. With four delivery pumps and eight individual sprinklers, and a maximum spray rate of 4.8 litres/minute, this drone offers nearly peerless functionality and is capable of spraying 10 hectares of arable land per hour. Perhaps more notably, the spraying system features a progressive, new flow metre which delivers higher precision and stability than conventional flow metres.

For almost five years, agricultural drones have been revolutionizing the landscape of farming. Undoubtedly next-generation farming, drones have contributed to helping farmers to understand every square inch of their acreage and even cut down on the pesticides they use.

Before drones became integral to progressive farming, farmers had little choice but to use heavy, expensive machinery to manage each harvest. Today, this has completely changed. Crop analysis can be achieved by simply piloting a drone and taking aerial photography.

Moreover, diseases, pests’ pesticides can be identified at an earlier stage with precision farming techniques. Using drones to take aerial photography in Dubai – or aerial photography of any agricultural landscape the world over – allows farmers to collect valuable data and images, allowing them to optimize each harvest.

The spray tank and the battery can be easily exchanged, allowing for increased proficiency and power. What’s more – and something that will no doubt pique the attention of any Dubai drone company and farmers – the drone’s updated radar navigation system can identify whether it’s day or night outside without being affected by light or dust.

Last but by no means least, the drone features different modes for different landscapes. From flat landscape to undulating greenery and even mountains and orchards, drone pilots can adjust the settings to achieve optimal flight regardless of the territory below. This allows for farming drone pilots to enjoy seamless navigation regardless at the touch of a button.

The DJI P4 Multispectral Drone

Just a quick look at the specifications of the DJI P4 Multispectral drone and it’s not hard to see that it has been designed with agricultural application in mind. Any Dubai drone company, or drone company located anywhere around the globe, with a focus on helping farmers to optimise their processes must consider this purpose-built farming drone.

Amongst the many specifications tailored for farming, the DJI P4 Multispectral allows you to access information collected by both an RGB camera and a multispectral camera setup. The integration of this multispectral camera setup is as proficient as it is requisite for gleaning valuable data, essential to superior farming.

The unique five-camera setup includes blue, green, red, red edge and near-infrared bands, all of which operate at 2MP with a global shutter on a 3-axis stabilized gimbal. Not only that, the DJI P4 Multispectral drone features an integrated spectral sunlight sensor on the top of the drone which captures solar irradiance, maximizing the accuracy and consistency of data collection at different times of the day.

Moreover, users can also enhance the accuracy of RTK positioning without an Internet connection by connecting the P4 Multispectral to the D-RTK 2 High Precision GNSS Mobile Station and NTRIP (the network transfer of RCM online. Observation data, essential to any successful implementation of aerial photography in Dubai, can be stored and used for Post Processing Kinematics (PPK).

DJI Drones for Agriculture in UAE and Worldwide

In unveiling two new drones specifically designed for agricultural deployment, DJI has laid down the gauntlet to drone manufacturers whilst recognizing that progressive farming will require drones of superior capabilities as we move in the 2020s.

Much will be written about in the coming decade as our acceptance of drone technology not just in agriculture, but a wealth of other sectors begins to unfold. However, what’s apparent is that drones will play a significant role in helping to achieve optimal processes in a wealth of fields.

The only point left to make traverses every sector and is, if you don’t move with the times, you risk being left behind, watching as your competitors reach for the skies. Sky Vision is a drone filming company in Dubai, UAE, which always strives to keep up with the latest and greatest aerial photography technology.

Without a shadow of a doubt, drones have revolutionised a wealth of sectors in Dubai. This is a trend that’s unlikely to change in the coming years. You only need to look at forecasted economic markets to discover this.

In 2017 alone, the drone market was predicted to swell to a value of $1.5 billion dollars by 2022. Since 2018 saw no evidence of a deceleration in the demand for the technology, with a new Dubai drone company being formed seemingly all the time, it seems that what was once considered to be an optimistic forecast may prove to be right on the money as the next three years unfold.

What has been highlighted is that the swelling drone market represents notable opportunities for the GCC oil and gas and utility sectors, with the presence of drone deployment in these sectors expected to grow by 43% and 32% respectively. But what are the other sectors likely to be calling on companies like Sky Vision who can provide effectual drone services in Dubai to customers?

Well, some sectors have already seen drones revolutionise business practices, whereas others are tentatively taking to the skies. But what cannot be argued is that each of these five sectors is likely to witness mass drone technology integration in the coming years, leading to the not overly ambitious forecast that the drone market will be worth $1.5 billion by 2022.

E-Commerce

With companies like Amazon already experimenting with drone deliveries, it should come as little surprise to anyone in the know that e-commerce companies across Dubai – and throughout the world will follow suit – if they haven’t already done so!

Employing delivery drone services in Dubai not only reduces delivery lead times as they do not need to adhere to traditional transportation routes, but suppliers can accurately gauge how long it takes a drone to transport goods. The quicker the delivery lead time is, the more satisfied customers are likely to be too!

Moreover, there’s no denying that drones will lead to further automation, allowing companies to cut costs – and drones are much more environmentally friendly, an attribute that is likely to be at the forefront of company’s business models in the years to come.

Supply Chain Operations

It should also be noted that drones have the potential to not only drastically improve the last phase of supply chain operations. They can also revolutionise other phases of commercial logistics.

As any learned Dubai drone company, such as Sky Vision, will be quick to point out, drones can prove to be very effective in terms of business inventory management by using RFID or barcodes or even gaining on inventory overview and scanning for defects.

In addition to this, according to drone industry aficionados, it won’t be too long before drones are employed in Dubai – and across the whole of the world – in place of factory forklift trucks and robots to move items around an environment. Though this is somewhat commonplace already in some business, expect the practice to grow in 2019 and in the coming years – with the large-scale inspection, extraction, and relocation of materials using drones a distinct possibility.

Agriculture and Farming

There are few sectors destined to benefit more from drone technology than the agriculture and farming sector. With the days of farmers not overtly embracing technology resigned to the past, drones are deployed in the sector for one, primary reason.

The detailed, HD images that drones can capture allow farmers to get a clear idea of how their crops are performing. Especially useful for farmers with generous hectares of land, drones can be piloted across great distances quickly, allowing farmers to check how well their crops have performed at any time in the season.

In addition to this, drone services in Dubai can help to find irrigation patterns, pest problems, and soil variation. With construction of the world’s largest vertical farm at a cost of $40 million commencing in Dubai last November, you can be that drones will be employed to monitor the growth of crops inside the 130,000 square foot installation.

Entertainment

One sector that you might be surprised is predicted to see an influx in drone services in Dubai in the coming year and beyond is the entertainment sector. Drones offer a cost-effective way to shoot panoramic views of eye-catching environments. Companies do not need to invest a fortune to hire a helicopter or small plane to get aerial shorts. All they’ll need is a drone and a good pilot!

The next time you watch a TV program of movie ask yourself if that shot was achieved by a drone. You may be surprised to learn just how often drones are used. Not only that, drones offer filmmakers the opportunity to achieve elevated camera angles (2-90 meters off the ground) that until the dawn of drone technology were thought to be nigh on impossible to achieve without highest specialist camera cranes.

Construction and Real Estate

Now, the construction sector seems to the one sector that’s mentioned all too often to benefit from drone technology. This is not without good reason. Industry experts expect the construction sector to be profoundly affected by drone technology.

From employing a Dubai drone company to take images of specific areas of a construction project to the transportation of lightweight materials, drones are expected to continue to revolutionise the construction sector across Dubai, the GCC region, and beyond. Forecasters have speculated for a while that drone deployment is the natural progression of the sector after the large-scale mechanisation of decades ago.

Drones will be primarily deployed to conduct surveys on construction sites. The opportunity of gathering far more data than ever before, allowing businesses to better prepare for, and track the progress of projects, deploying resources where applicable and saving costs whilst minimising the potential for any issues to arise and enhancing safety continues to be highly attractive to companies who continue to be responsible for erecting Dubai’s scintillating urban landscape.

These are just five examples of sectors that are likely to see drones continue to revolutionise in 2019 and the coming years. It’s going to be exciting to sit back and see how drone technology will continue to positively change all our lives as this year unfolds and we head into the next decade.

When dusk has fallen, Sky Vision’s drone pilots (in the UAE) are afforded some exquisite opportunities to take to the skies and capture panoramic images of one of the most contrasting skylines in the world. Chic, colour-rich urbane environments are juxtaposed with sublime, muted desert landscapes, presenting unique opportunities to capture inspirational images.

However, as experienced as a daytime drone pilot may be, flying drones at night presents a different proposition altogether. Standard daytime flight dexterity and practices must be honed to account for reduced vision. The more experienced drone shooting services in Dubai are, the more proficient they’re likely to be when flying drones at night.

Experience and proficiency aside, what do you need to know when flying drones at night in Dubai? Here’s a handful of necessities to consider when planning a twilight drone flight.

Know the Area

When flying drones at night, it’s paramount that you know the area. Whether the location is one that you frequent often or if you’ve undertaken numerous scouting excursions prior to your first flight, you need to make sure that you know where your flying like the back of your hand.

Why? It’s obvious – reduced visibility. Make sure to note where buildings, natural landmarks, power lines, or any other obstacles are. The first night time drone flight can be a mite jarring, even for experienced pilots. The more the know, the more likely you are to mitigate any potential hazards.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Not altogether dissimilar from knowing the area of your nocturnal flight is the awareness you have of your surroundings. Drone video services in Dubai – and experienced hobbyists – are well-versed with using their phone or other portable control system to fly their drone. However, this does preclude pilots from persistently fixing their eyes on their drone when in flight.

Why is this a problem if you have a screen display? Well, when your drone is airborne in the reduced visibility of dusk, keeping an eye on the flight path at the expense of obstacles can distract pilots from the immediate surroundings. Remember it only takes a small collision for your drone to incur damage – and, in the worst-case scenario, plummet to the ground.

The ND Filter

For anyone unaware, a ND filter (or neutral density filter) allows a photographer to control the image exposure by reducing the amount of light entering a camera’s lens. Under bright sunlight, a ND filter gives photographers more options when selecting an aperture and shutter speed, thereby preventing overexposure.

Long exposure shots should be straightforward for experienced drone shooting services in Dubai to capture as the cameras on DJI drones are stabilized. In setting the right shutter speed, photographers can capture light trails which contrast the murky night sky with piercing landmark illumination, for example.

Capturing vivid colours with your daytime drone photography requires an ND filter. Using the smallest aperture and the lowest ISO possible will inevitably overexpose your shot. Therefore ND filters should be applied. However, with the reduced dusk lighting, this is simply not the case. Shooting at night using an ND filter will result in dull colours and muted, uninspiring images.

Fly at an Increased Altitude

When flying from point A to point B at night, it’s advised that pilots increase their altitude. Why? To avoid any obstacles. The higher you can reach in the sky, the less likely you are to collide with power lines or architectural aspects of a building.

It’s always advised to be safe, rather than sorry, and this ethos is no more apparent whether you employ drone video services in Dubai or if flying your drone personally. Reduced visibility can obscure all manner of hazards and be especially challenging for anyone remotely-controlling their drone from the ground.

The bottom line is that even if you’ve conducted comprehensive research of the location and know precisely every dot on the landscape, you’ll need to exercise caution to ensure that collisions are 100% mitigated. It’s almost impossible to know the minutest details of your flight path ahead of time. The best way to do this is to soar at an altitude and take a flight path that offers zero opportunity for collision – in other words fly as far away from any potential collisions.

Reduce the Brightness of Your LED Lights

Intending to capture some jaw-dropping aerial photography shots of Dubai? Don’t forget to turn the LED’s on your drone off. LED’s may be great for identifying your drone, but the illumination of the lights that cause a red glare that will penetrate all your images.

If you can vastly reduce the brightness of the LEDs and still be able to identify your drone in the night’s sky, this may be the best solution. The problem with turning your LED’s off altogether is that should you lose control of your drone, or veer away from a flight path, it will be very difficult to find your drone should you land in a spot that you didn’t intend to.

The good news is that experienced drone shooting services in Dubai and hobbyist pilots know to control the brightness of their LED lights. But for anyone unaware, all you need to do is to go into camera settings and general, then select LEDs Auto Turn Off. This automatically turns off LEDs when you start recording or press the shutter button to capture an image. Learning to control the LED light function yourself is integral to capturing those dazzling night-time images.

These are five tips to successfully operating drones and camera equipment at night. Learn each and you’ll feel confident controlling your drone at night and be able to capture photos and videos that will truly inspire.

In the commercial landscape, what you want is for any business relationship to feel organic, easy, beneficial, able to seamlessly meet your requirements. This is true regardless of the sector, demographic, or nature of the products or services.

One of the most common causes of professional friction, one that can result in a fundamental breakdown in communication, is when professional goals aren’t aligned. Not being forthcoming from the outset of the relationship or a fundamental disconnect in communication are most often the culprit of this.

How to find the best Drone Companies in UAE

Asking questions is an essential part of the client on-boarding process. In a competitive commercial environment, trust and confidence is everything. Without either of these attributes, the seeds of indecisiveness are being sown. This is a slippery slope to professional disagreements, turmoil and, in the worst-case scenarios, a complete breakdown is commercial communication.

So, why are we outlining the obvious? Well, it’s paramount for customers of drone companies in UAE to inspire client confidence just as it is of any business. Asking businesses, like the much-lauded Sky Vision, the questions that you want answered should be encouraged. But, what should you ask?

Let’s look at the most common and astute questions to ask a drone company before engaging their services. Be sure to read the article to the end – you’ll learn of one or more questions that you haven’t already thought of.

What Certifications Do You Have?

Now, this may sound like a prerequisite when engaging the services of a business in any sector, but the importance of ascertaining that a drone company has a commercial flying license valid in the UAE is paramount.

It’s also worth mentioning that just because a company or individual for that matter has a license to fly drones in the USA or the UK does not automatically mean that they’re clear to take to the skies in Dubai or the UAE.

Drone companies must get a No Objection certificate from the DCAA. All drones must be registered with the GCAA. Be sure to check with any Dubai drone companies that they have a GCAA drone registration certificate and that they have special operations permission to fly commercially for specific purposes, including surveillance, media, agriculture, and inspection.

What Services Do You Provide?

Not all drone companies in the UAE provide the same services. Some may specialize in providing aerial photography or videography for media purposes whereas others may have customers that primarily work in the property or construction sectors. Before committing to one drone company make sure that they can expertly provide the service that you’re looking for.

Remember too that just because a drone company lists experience one sector or another it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have comprehensive experience – it may just be that they’ve completed a handful of projects for say, media or mapping purposes. The breadth of experience is less important than the specific experience.

Think of it this way. You wouldn’t commission a carpenter to design and build you an elegant, bespoke bookcase if they predominantly design and build chairs. Sure, the skills are probably in their wheelhouse but aren’t you better choosing someone with the specific experience you require?

What Insurance Liability Do You Have?

A learned and astute drone company should be able to demonstrate that they carry drone insurance. As outlined by the General Civil Aviation Authority and The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, drone flights are regulated. In addition to being aware of specific no-fly zones, drone operators must also have insurance coverage.

So, what’s covered under drone insurance? Physical loss or damage of UAVs (inclusive of detachable and non-detachable payloads) for instance is one of the most widely cited drone insurance coverage. The insurer will pay for physical damage to the UAV in the event of a crash, collision or if the drone is damaged in transit.

Loss or damage to UAV spares. This insurance coverage accounts for physical theft, loss or damage to spare parts throughout the period of insurance. Damage could occur in their property or when drones in are the custody of another party, or whilst in transit.

Third-party legal liability is also pertinent for drone companies in UAE to have. These sum up who is legally liable to pay compensatory damages for damage to third party persons or property, invasion of privacy or any noise liability.

A responsible drone company in Dubai will be transparent with the insurance that they have. This provides customers with the assurance of their professionalism and prowess whilst allaying any concerns.

What Aerial Photography Equipment Do You Have?

As with technology of any nature, the more cutting-edge the hard or software used, the better the service is likely to be. Would you automatically gravitate to a business that’s still using a dial-up online connection or sends all communications in the post and not online? Probably not. The same ethos should be considered when considering hiring a drone company.

Now, we’re not saying that you’re likely to come across a single business in the digital age that still sends faxes or types letters using a typewriter, but you get the point. The better the equipment, the more likely that your chosen drone company is to deliver stellar results.

Some drone tech to look out for, or ask about, includes any product from the DJI range, from drones to cameras and gimbals. If the company flies a DJI M100 UAV great! Though don’t forget, all the DJI range of drones, including the DJI Mavic Air, and Spark are all formidable!

If you’re looking to use a drone company for photographic or videography purposes or thermal imaging, make sure to check that the drones they use have stellar cameras. Or, should you need a drone company to provide extension aerial mapping of a large area, say for agricultural purposes, you should probably check how good the drone’s battery life is – after all, you may need the drone to stay airborne for a prolonged period.

What Is the Project Timeline?

So, you’ve decided that the drone company has the right acumen and experience, is insured and has the right equipment to achieve what you need. Is that everything? No, not quite. The last question to ask is, perhaps, the most obvious – how long will the project take?

A learned and experienced drone company in Dubai, like Sky Vision, will be able to provide you with an event schedule of when they project will be completed, along with a quotation for the work. This is all part of providing a valued and transparent service. Any drone company that takes your details, accepts an upfront payment for the work (if requested), and doesn’t complete it is not the right company for you.

Reputable drone companies in Dubai should provide you with a definitive and transparent project timeline, or when the project will be initiated and when it will be completed. You may get lucky and get your project started immediately or you may have to wait a short while but, nevertheless, the transparency of the company is what you should be looking for.

Well, that’s really it. Five questions that you need to be asking a done company in the UAE before engaging their services. Be sure to remember each, and the answers you’re given, and you’ll surely be able to find the right company for your purposes!

Drones in Dubai – Or Anywhere in the World – Make Working Environments Safer

Drones aren’t afraid of heights, neither do they rely on the grip of toes or fingertips. Drones provide a different viewpoint of an open expanse and offer unique insight that drives process success. They aren’t phased by closed spaces and exposure to hazardous material won’t result in serious health ill-effects to operators.

You may be wondering what on earth we’re droning on about. Let us explain; drones can complete dangerous professional duties, so you don’t have to. Deploying a drone to complete a survey or explore hard to access environments isn’t just advised, it’s practically becoming a requisite.

Think of it this way. In the past decade more than a thousand laborers in the US have been killed whilst working in confined spaces. Think of the lives that could have been saved if businesses had the facility to send a drone into a confined space to complete reconnaissance or surveying, scoping out the potential dangers that faced anyone who decided to venture into a confined space.

One such victim, a 43-year old AkzoNobel employee, Clinton Miller, was working in an environment with oxygen levels at just 11%. He was trying to retrieve a piece of discarded material at a North Carolina chemical plant. This cost him his life. Piloting a drone inside, fitted with a grappling device, would negate the need for Clinton to venture inside the environment, and saved his life.

Enter the Drone in Dubai

We all know that drones can take superlative aerial photography in Dubai – and indeed across the whole world – can be deployed at the scene of an accident to assess the situation, are very useful in propagating crops for agricultural purposes. Not only that, they can make overseeing a construction process simpler and capture stellar commercial images and videography shots. It’s clear that given their scope of application drones ability to enrich our lives is limitless.

Need any more convincing? Leading blue-chip businesses have been assembling fleets of drones to manage some of their more dangerous jobs. AT&T, Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Dow Inc are just three examples of businesses that are placing their faith in drone technology. From inspecting tanks and towers to squeezing through tight spaces to reach a specific point in a structure to identify and replace elements of a structure, drones are quickly becoming paramount to big business.

Why? Progressive companies usually consider a better way to complete tasks whilst mitigating any potential risks to their employees. This is just as true of a Dubai drone operator as it is of any global business. If companies can send a drone in to examine an area of a petrochemical facility, for example, as opposed to having a person physically undertake a journey fraught with danger, sending the drone in wins every time.

Why Drones Relied Upon by Blue-Chip Businesses

For all the talk of AI, robotics, and automation streamlining commercial processes and improving on what was previously thought to be fully optimized, it’s drones that have the potential to impact commercialization to the greatest degree. Why? Cost, efficiency – and safety.

Let’s look at an example. Before the use of drones at Shell’s refineries, inspections of gas flares used to be a laborious process often taking days. To get inspectors close enough to the flame-spewing stacks (which, of course, was inherently dangerous, systems had to be taken offline. Then inspectors were hoisted hundreds of feet in the air, contained within a metallic cage to the top of the stack. Using a drone in Dubai – or in any global location – inspecting refineries can be achieved in a matter of hours from ground level.

AT&T has invested in a large fleet of drones to insect its 65,000 mobile phone towers in the US. Given that a tower can rise as high as one thousand feet in the air, engineer’s jobs are not without a significant amount of peril. In fact, the death rate from an industrial accident is nearly ten times the rate of that of construction workers.

Over the last two years alone, AT&T has deployed drones to eliminate the need for engineers to climb 5,000 of their towers in the US. Each of the drones is equipped with high-powered cameras, meaning that taking aerial photography in Dubai – or indeed anywhere they are deployed in the world – is completed to the best possible standard.

The director of AT&T’s drone program, Art Pregler, has said that the drone they deploy send images that are so detailed that ground-based workers can identify the threads on a bolt. With this degree of detail, clear safety, and ease of operation, it’s no wonder that drones are revolutionizing sector-specific processes.

Why Drones Are Relied Upon by Start-Up Businesses

Drones can help to bridge the gap between small businesses and SMEs and blue-chip companies. Why? Drones are cost-effective. Prior to the advocate of drone technology, create film-making, be it for a studio picture or commercial marketing purpose was costly. Very costly. The only way to get action shots or create compelling video was to charter an aircraft or helicopter and bring a camera. This could amount to tens of thousands of dollars. More to the point, there is always an inherent risk with flying.

Today, drones can be used to paint commercial buildings and industrial structures for a modicum of the cost of hiring an articulated lorry with a lift function just to paint buildings at height. Though this may sound futuristic, it’s happening right now.

A commercial drone start-up company in Jacksonville, Florida is designing drones to paint multi-story buildings and industrial structures. Co-founder, Jeff McCutcheon has iterated his belief that placing an employee atop a structure in the 98-degree southern heat can be a health hazard. Using drones mitigate the possibility of accidents occurring – thereby making working environments safer.

It seems clear that the potential impact that the best drone company can have, or indeed drone businesses anywhere in the world is vast. The extent of drone adoption is yet to be fully realized, however, it’s surely not unreasonable to assume that drones will have a much more drastic impact on the commercial landscape sooner than any of us may think.

The wait is over. Amateur drone enthusiasts rejoice – the new DJI Mavic Mini has landed and from preliminary looks, it seems to be one of the most exciting new drones in years!

After months of speculation and a ton of leaks, DJI has finally unveiled its new ‘everyday Flycam’ and whilst it may not be the ideal drone for experienced drone companies in Dubai like Sky Vision who employed technology at the apex of innovation, what the new DJI Mavic Mini promises is to attract a wide market of first-time drone pilots with its compact, easy to use and responsive new mini drone.

Don’t be fooled by the affordable price or lightweight design, the new Mavic mini drone packs plenty of smart features into its palm-sized design. It’s easy to transport and just have fun with, making it the perfect drone to hone your aerial photography skills and just plain have fun.

So, for anyone who’s looking to take up drone piloting, considering putting their hands in the pockets to buy a great starter drone here are five reasons why the DJI Mavic Mini should be at the top of your wish list.

It’s a Very Affordable Drone

Let’s face it unless you don’t mind shelling out a wad of cash when buying your first, or a new drone, the cost will be right up there on your list of priorities when making a purchase. Therefore, consumers will be pleased to discover that the Mavic Mini is very affordable.

Priced at around $450 for a standard unit and a shade under $600 for the combo unit, the Mavic Mini is one drone available in Dubai that certainly won’t break the bank to pick up. When you consider that the DJI Mavic Air routinely costs around the $900 mark and it wasn’t uncommon to see the now discontinued DJI Mavic Spark priced around $650, it’s clear that pilots are getting some serious bang for their buck.

Just because the Mavic Mini has a mini price though, it doesn’t mean that the drone skimps on functionality. The drone comes equipped with a 12MP camera that’s capable of shooting 2.7K Quad HD videos and has a 3-axis mechanical gimbal that allows for super-smooth footage to be shot with ease.

This Drone Hardly Weighs Anything

The Mavic Mini tips the scales at just 249 grams, making it seriously light. To put that into context, the DJI Mavic Mini is almost as light as the recently released iPhone 11 Pro which weighs 226 grams. So, this drone is just 23 grams heavier than, arguably, some of the most advanced tech in the world today.

With a foldable design, the Mavic Mini can be easily slipped into your pocket or handbag and transported anywhere you want. Take a quick look at the design specifications and you’ll notice that the Mavic Mini also features detachable controller sticks which only serve to enhance its portability.

DJI has taken what consumers love about the popular Mavic 2 drones and condensed the tech to fit inside a smaller design. Moreover, with the drone weighing under 250 grams, it does not need to be registered in the UK, the USA, and the UAE.

A Mini Drone Which Offers Plenty of Flight Time

One of the most frustrating aspects of learning to fly a drone in Dubai – or anywhere else in the world – is the lack of flight time needed to practice and hone your skills. Despite its diminutive size, the Mavic Mini does not suffer from a downturn in flight duration.

Able to stay airborne for thirty minutes is a seriously impressive flight time for such a small drone, giving novice pilots ample time to practice and hone their skills.

Not aware of just how impressive this is? The DJI Mavic Pro and Zoom have estimated flight duration of 31 minutes whilst the Mavic Air can stay airborne for around 21 minutes. The discontinued DJI Spark had a flight time of just 16 minutes. It’s plain that the Mavic Mini offers evolved technology and, arguably, equivalent technology to some of the more expensive drones in the Mavic range.

It’s Fun for the Whole Family

One of the best attributes that the DJI Mini can lay claim to is that because it’s easy to fly, taking to the skies can be fun for the whole family. The DJI Fly app features fun, easy to follow tutorials that teach novices everything that they need to know about learning to fly.

The app’s interface is clever as it only includes the key information needed for drone pilots to get their wings. The tutorials are also more concise and intuitive than other apps which make learning to fly easier. Not only that, the drone features Auto Takeoff and RTH functions which help novice pilots to excel quicker than ever before.

Additionally, the Mavic Mini benefits from a downward sensing system and GPS and offers precision hovering whether you’re indoors or outdoors. It does lack hazard sensing tech and the three-way directional environment sensing of the Mavic Air but it’s still safe to use and the simplistic operation benefits beginners by not overloading them with initial information, thereby helping them to grasp the basics quickly.

It Has Plenty of Accessories to Choose From

The last reason why you should buy the DJI Mini is that it features plenty of accessories so you can customize the Mavic Mini. From a stylish docking station for charging to the choice of a beige or charcoal mini propeller holder to protect your Dubai drone when in transit, the Mavic Mini comes equipped with a range of customizable options.

Choose the Fly More Combo and you get the drone, remote controller, extra pair of propellers, three-hundred-and-sixty-degree propeller guard, three flight batteries, two-way charging hub, and two USB cables – that’s a hell of a lot of equipment for $600!

The drone is also sold with a collection of shell stickers and colorful markers, and there’s even a DIY Creative Kit for the less an artistically inclined person who wants to create a completely unique drone! You can also add a snap adapter and smaller accessories, such as LED displays and use the charging base which doubles as a stylish flight display for complete customization.

The new DJI Mavic Mini is primed to take its place as the most sought-after and praised entry-level drone on the market today. It’s the only option for anyone looking to get into drone piloting. Don’t be surprised when you visit a drone piloting club and find that a fair proportion of your peers at the controls of a DJI Mavic Mini!

You only need to do a quick Google search to discover that drones are providing vital services to police forces across the globe. Just this month alone, the South China Morning Post has published an article of how traffic police have used drones to provide tactical insight to officers on the ground.

In a story that encapsulates not just technological innovation but how the practical application of the technology is employed to improve public services – and by extension our lives in general – police used drones to alert a scooter rider to the need to put a helmet in for his own safety by saying, “The handsome young lad on the black electric scooter in the dark green clothes and glasses – please put on your helmet!”

The footage of this incident was shared on social media and quickly went viral. In China, traffic drones have been employed to detect traffic offenses for more than a year. This event, recorded in the city of Putian in the Fujian province, is but a single example in one country of the impact drones are having on policing.

The impact of drones not only in China but across the world is vast. No more is this felt than in a city determined to be on the first frontier of technological innovation. We are, of course, talking about Dubai. As one of the top drone companies in the UAE, we have a unique insight into this news.

Drone Policing in Dubai

Arguably, the epitome of drone policing is in Dubai. The city-state has pioneered the use of Dubai drone applications across a range of sectors. From agriculture to construction, marketing to entertainments, drones have revolutionized the way we see the world.

Dubai police forces mainly use drones for traffic monitoring. However, it’s not hyperbole to state that any drone application purposes are only limited by our imagination. However, Dubai is determined to deploy drones for multilateral purposes. From thermal imaging for use in security operations to a drone that has been specifically designed to monitor and identify other devices, such applications are already being deployed or on the cusp of becoming a reality.

No more is Dubai’s determination to utilize drone technology and spearhead future vocational innovation than with the announcement in late 2018 that drone services in Dubai will adopt aerial police patrols on drone hoverbikes to cruise above traffic. So far, the introduction these hoverbikes is penciled in for next year, however, it remains to be seen if they will be deployed. Considering that Dubai is one of, if not the global hub of technological innovation, don’t be surprised to glance upwards to see overhead monitoring.

The Partnership Between Dubai Police and DJI

SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd, more commonly known as DJI, is the preeminent drone company. Headquartered in Shenzen, Guangdong and with factories around the world, they manufacturer drones, camera gimbals, flight platforms, cameras and camera stabilizers, propulsion systems and flight control systems.

Founded in 2006, over more than a decade, the business has established a premier reputation for innovation, acumen, and finesse. It should, therefore, come as little surprise that Dubai’s police should partner with the company to provide stellar Dubai drone safety for all who live in the city-state.

The solution development partnership between DJI and Dubai police outline the collective intent to test and deploy drone technology as a means of assisting the in bolstering public safety protocols across Dubai.

This revolutionary agreement marks the first time that a police agency in the UAE has partnered with a drone company to access new and enhanced training and support to promote safety and security in the UAEs largest city.

Cutting-Edge Equipment

It should come as little surprise that the police drone services in Dubai will be backed by formidable equipment that’s at the forefront of DJI’s product line. The Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual will be deployed. This drone features thermal imaging cameras that can be used in search operations and has been purpose-built for the public sector.

Moreover, under the agreement, Dubai police will gain access to DJI’s formidable hardware and software. In addition to the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual and the DJI AeroScope drones, DJI will grant law enforcement access to a flight simulator for comprehensive training and a fleet management and mission planning tool.

It’s hoped that this will help law enforcement in Dubai gain more value from the life-saving potential of drone technology whilst being able to monitor other devices to help identify and determine the nature of any given security risk.

What DJI and Police Spokesmen Have Said

This much-lauded partnership has been clearly endorsed by both DJI and the Dubai police force with both DJI and the police force openly stating the pleasure and intent of this new collaboration.

Maj Gen Abdullah Al Marri, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police stated, ‘This partnership is set to boost co-operation, exchange experiences, and share information and knowledge between both sides in the field of unmanned aerial systems.

He goes on to state, ‘It reflects the keenness of Dubai Police to bring drones into the different police sectors which helps promote safety and security in the city by utilizing the latest tools and systems.’

Romeo Durscher, Director of Public Safety and Integration at DJI took a more streamlined approach to publicly announcing the partnership, but this was by no means any less impactful. He stated, ‘We are pleased to partner with Dubai Police to help them to take advantage of DJIs industry-leading drone technology.’

What’s clear is that drone services in Dubai have grown to become a vital component of the city-state’s evolving technological ecosystem. This partnership is just the latest example of how drone technology is helping to continually accelerate Dubai as one of, if not, the global city for public-service and technological integration.

With exciting developments being announced all the time, not only in the field of drone application but, across the entire digital sphere, Dubai truly is the city of the future.

Predicting what technology will become an integral part of our lives in the years to come is as fascinating as it is debatable. For many, 2020 is set to be the year of 5G, when next-generation mobile networks take centre stage. As one of the leading Drone companies in UAE, Sky Vision has some insights about the future of drone filming and aerial photography in the UAE.

Then there’s AR (augmented reality.) The recent success of Pokémon Go demonstrated teen’s appetite for augmented reality games. But, can this technology move into the commercial sector?

Sky Vision is one of the Best Drone companies in UAE

Believe it or not, commercial augmented reality is beginning to build momentum, with companies across the UAE – and throughout the globe – beginning to think seriously about ways to integrate next-generation technology with operations and training.

Then there’s multi-channel online shopping. Whereas in the past, consumers were ecstatic about placing an order online and receiving their goods in a matter of days, in 2019 the same consumers are getting antsy. Delivers are expected sooner rather than later. Is this changing in opinion paving the way for a delivery drone service in UAE – or globally? One would think so, yes.

On this note, what do the next twelve months hold for the drone industry in the Middle East? Let’s dive into some of the predicted forecasts and try to decipher what the future may hold.

Drone companies in UAE: Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS)

A natural extension of RaaS (Robotics as a Service), drones as a service have appliances that can drastically improve a wealth of different industries. Visionary businesses view drone potential as seemingly endless.

Much more than just vehicles for delivery, drone deployment is being viewed as vital in diverse industries. From agriculture and farming to construction and law enforcement, as the next 12 months unfold, residents in the UAE should expect drones to be more and more prominent in UAE’s skies.

The result of this will be that DaaS providers will be in increasing demand as we head into 2020 and beyond. Software manufacturers and hardware vendors are expected to take on greater responsibility for ensuring optimal performance and continuing technological progression.

Moreover, drone companies in Dubai and UAE will further increase the application of artificial intelligence (AI) powered technologies within their operations. Quantitative data gleaned from drone companies across the UAE has identified prominent themes that will become dominant as 2019 unfolds and we head into 2020.

Drone companies in UAE: Drone Deployment Will Triple

The result of the increase in drone application across varying sectors will see drone deployment triple in the next twelve months. The UAE government will continue to lead drone technology developments in the region and the private sector will become increasingly amenable to integrating drones into their operations.

More exciting though, is the scheduled Dubai flying drone taxi. Currently scheduled for 2020, this innovation will completely revolutionize transportation in the city-state.

Practical drone application is also set to soar in a wealth of sectors. The drone service of inspection and surveying will feature ever more prominently, closely followed by aerial photography and videography. The construction sector will integrate drones at every stage of their projects, allowing companies to increase the speed and performance of their operations.

Drone companies in UAE: Artificial Intelligence

In 2018, DJI and Microsoft formed a global strategic partnership to bring advanced AI and machine learning technologies to DJI drones. This was, arguably, the clearest indication yet that global technology giants believe that investing in the development of drones to be paramount to our continued evolution into a fully autonomous, technology-driven world.

As AI and robotics gain traction, offering critical insight and application within the next generation of innovation, technology behemoth, Microsoft, is firmly behind drone technology and has joined forces with DJI to nurture the brightest local engineers and roboticists of tomorrow via the provision of learning platforms and access to cutting edge technologies.

Christina Zhang, Senior Director, Corporate Strategy & Communications at DJI said of the partnership, ‘We are delighted to partner with Microsoft on this meaningful project. This is an opportunity to explore applications that could be used in the real world.’ It seems evident that the resources Microsoft has will help propel DJI into the next generation of drone development – something that a wealth of sectors across the UAE stand to benefit from.

Indeed, the integration of AI is helping drones to perform tasks more efficiently than was thought possible just a few short years ago. Drone companies in Dubai, like Sky Vision, are increasingly employing high-resolution imagery to capture landscapes in crystal-clear clarity. The abundance of information captured can be correlated with maintenance, land development, defect localization and surveillance – to name but a handful of applications.

Automating the analysis of aerial imagery using AI allows drone software to speed up analysis of an environment – even allowing for the real-time prediction of localized changes. This is especially useful in monitoring individuals in large open public spaces or reviewing traffic to mitigate potential risks and keep everyone safe.

Traditional CCTV streamed images have a delay between event occurrence and recording, and monitoring requires physical monitoring. This can cause issues, especially for static CCTV cameras with only a single vantage point. It seems logical that deploying a remote drone, complete with AI and collision avoidance systems offers a far superior way of monitoring environments – something that’s destined to be increasingly prevalent as we move throughout 2019 and into 2020.

The drone service in Dubai afforded both the public and private sectors serves to reinforce the necessity of drone technology. Citizens of UAE cast your eyes to the sky this year, you’re sure to encounter drones with increasing frequency.

Let it never be said that Sky Vision isn’t one of the best drone companies in Dubai. Not only are we committed to providing awe-inspiring drone services to our clients, but we invest much time and effort in bringing you factual, interesting and topical information about how drones are transforming personal and professional lives across the UAE – and the globe.

With Amazon’s drone delivery services just over the horizon, it appears as though we’re on the cusp of finally experiencing a technological revolution in the skies. No longer will traditional vehicular delivery services be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of customer parcels to deliver. No longer will customers have to wait days to receive their online order. Drones will make the feat achievable in a matter of hours – or even minutes!

When any innovation is launched into the public consciousness a newly-founded interest in the technology elevates consumer intrigue – and understanding, of course. Tech-savvy minds lead the way, closely followed by those with a commercial interest, and complemented by everyone with a curious mind.

In fact, don’t be surprised if, in a matter of months, the word around the water cooler, the street, dinner table and anywhere else, for that matter, is about this new aerial phenomenon. Such interest is likely to compel consumers to dip their hands in their pockets and buy a drone of their very own.

But, where do hobbyists start? What’s the best 2019 drone for you? With an expansive range of knowledge, Sky Vision is one Dubai drone company that can help you identify the right drone for you.
Interested in learning more? Here are the best four drones for beginners in 2019.

DJI Spark

You don’t need to be a drone aficionado to have heard of the DJI Spark. Most everyone with their fingers on the pulse of technological innovation, or who knows a thing or two about drones will have come across, arguably, the best drone for beginners.

Perfect for hobbyists with a set budget who are just excited about taking to the skies and piloting their very own drone, the DJI Spark is the perfect entry level drone. Equipped with its own camera and boasting a flight time of fifteen meters from a range of 2,000 meters away, the DJI Spark is a great drone to practice with, honing your take-off and landing expertise whilst learning how to control a drone in flight.

Features include advance obstacle avoidance mode and an impressive gesture mode. Moreover, with DJI Spark’s automated flight functionality, pilots can concentrate on taking glorious images and video before showing them off to friends.

DJI Mavic Pro

You can’t have a list of the best drones without mentioning the DJI Mavic Pro. Used by some of the best drone companies in Dubai and favoured by novice pilots, the DJI Mavic Pro has carved a unique reputation for itself as being accessible to beginners whilst offer advanced flight functionality and capabilities which appeals to drone companies.

The DJI Mavic Pro doesn’t boast the same complex functionality as the Mavic 2 with its countless features and settings, but it does have a sleek design that appeals to novices. A flight time of 27 minutes and a 4,000-meter range allows pilots to spread their wings and soar once they gain the confidence.

Not only that, the DJI Mavic Pro features an impressive built-in HD-ready camera with 4K support. Once pilots are fully confidence in their aerial skills, the opportunity to capture stunning vistas in 4K glory is seemingly ubiquitous.

Yuneec Typhoon H Pro

One of the most visually arresting drones, the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro doesn’t come cheap. Though for novice drone pilots with designs on learning the flight skills of a Dubai drone company and are prepared to invest the time as they negotiate a challenging learning curve, the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro may well be just the drone for them.

Boasting eight propellers and five autonomous flight modes, this drone will certainly make its presence known in the Dubai sky. Perhaps its most impressive feature is its 10,000-meter range, allowing novices to hone their flight skills over long distances.

Other features include a built-in camera, responsive obstacle avoidance and a prolonged flight time of 25 minutes. Although not quite as portable as some of the other starter drones on the market, the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro has proved no less popular with consumers.

Altair Aerial Blackhawk

If there’s something that’s absolutely assured of a novice drone pilot – and that is a rarity amongst experienced drone pilots working for one of the best drone companies in Dubai, Sky Vision, – it’s that aerial accidents do happen, and crashes are unavoidable. Novice pilots who value durability and speed would be wise to choose the Altair Aerial Blackhawk.

Though the drone doesn’t come equipped with a camera, attaching a GoPro, or other similar drone camera, is quick and straightforward. The flight time is also lesser than Yuneec and DJI’s offerings but is that such a bad thing for beginners, especially when consider that the most important thing when first taking to the skies is that you can keep control of your drones. Short flights with a comfortable and safe landing are the logical way for beginners to build up their experience.

However, one notable negative of buying the Altair Aerial Blackhawk as your starter drone is that it only has a range of about 300 meters. However, if you’re taking o the skies for the first time, how far do you intend to fly to get to grips with the controls? As you become more confident and competent controlling your drone, then you can invest in a DJI Spark or Mavic Pro.

These are our picks for the best four drones for beginners in 2019. Which one do you fancy soaring through the skies with?

Shutterbugs with a keen photographic eye are using the contrasting UAE landscape to capture truly remarkable images – and thanks to the digital age we live in, anyone around the world can experience what Dubai has to offer.

You only need to browse social media to discover how people in the UAE view and experience life. Generic images are still plentiful on the platform, but occasionally you’ll come across a profile that packs a true photographic wallop. Browse the leading image sharing site, Instagram, and you’ll soon discover profiles dedicated to seeking out and capturing truly spectacular UAE vistas.

The more you browse Instagram profiles, the more you’ll discover the difference between those images that pique interest and those that hold interest. Whilst it’s true that several UAE-based Instagram accounts have uploaded Dubai aerial photography that’s worthy of a second look, very few truly capture the essence of the city-state in all its splendour.

Interested in learning which Instagram accounts are taking photography to new heights? Check out the following users and be inspired by their creative vision.

Username: @pixelville
Followers: 108K
With an impressive Instagram following, Jumana Jolie is one of the more popular Instagram photographers. Climbing to heights that would make mere mortals’ shudder and capturing images at angles that need nerves of steel, Jumana Jolie gives her followers a glimpse of the UAE that they’ve seldom – if ever seen before.

Her dizzying array of Dubai aerial photography shots are even more impressive when you consider that Jamana freely admits that there is a level of fear when capturing bespoke images from high altitudes.

However, with a background as a photojournalist, having worked for Reuters for seven years, controlling her trepidation and fear is just another aspect of the job for Jumana. The Lebanese Palestinian has ventured across the of the Middle East throughout her career. It is this experience taught Jumana that versatility is paramount.

Moreover, Jumana believes that the secret to capturing spectacular images is determined by practice. With a meticulous ethos and an eye that clearly distinguishes between what you see and what the camera can capture, she is able to offer a perspective that few Instagrammers are able to match.

Photographer: Debbie Fortes
Username: @debbiefortes
Followers: 53K
Debbie consistently demonstrates an acute understanding of photographic composition and solid knowledge of Dubai’s skyline. Venturing to the unglamorous parts of Dubai, Debbie creates a distinctive identity to Dubai – one that is lesser-known on a global stage.

The antithesis of what a drone company in Dubai would typically capture, Debbie’s street-level images offer a different perspective of the city-state, one that forces those places that one crosses many times, but seldom pays attention to. Old Dubai and Dubai Creek are given centre stage and appear exquisite, thanks to her talent.

Architecture, urban landscapes and minimalism influence her style. Interesting lines, shadows, and structures are featured prominently in her portfolio. Textures and three-dimensional objects are also a big feature of her work, as is how residents of Dubai interact with the landscape.

A photographer of passion, her style was likely forged by her innate artistic curiosity. Born in the Philippines, Debbie bought her first DSLR camera in 2013. What followed was a revelation. With zero professional training, Debbie has managed to develop without being burdened by conflicting influence and as a result, her photographs are a true reflection of her personality.

Photographer: Husain Ujjainwala
Username: @who.sane
Followers: 18K
A relative newcomer to the UAE’s Instagram photography scene, Husain Ujjainwala is quickly developing a reputation that’s no less prominent than Debbie Fortes or Jumana Jolie. A student of Dubai aerial photography, 24-year old Husain Ujjainwala’s images feature dramatic, captivating images of Dubai’s skylines, each taken from unusual angles.

Like Debbie Fortes, Husain Ujjainwala has had no professional training and only decided to pursue photographer a mere five years ago. Though he may now shoot images with a DSLR camera, for years Hussain ardently stuck with mobile phone cameras, capturing the type of imagery that was almost indistinguishable from that of a DSLR camera.

His popularity may have been born of Hussain’s decision to switch to professional camera equipment. Hussain is candid about his belief that with a great number of photographers shooting Dubai’s skylines, editing those images you capture is what will set a good photographer apart from an average one.

A brief glance at Hussain’s Instagram feed and you’ll immediately notice that his images pay homage to the UAE – a country he believes to be rich in photographic opportunities. Indeed, from cityscapes to deserts that stretch to the horizon, the opportunities for a photographer to capture landmark images are everywhere – something that a progressive drone company in Dubai, like Sky Vision, understands all too well.

Hussain emphasises the importance of lighting and the varied effect that it has on shot composition. Preferring to shoot at sunrise and sunset, he’s able to capture the UAE at the dawning of a new day and as dusk descends, creating an ambiance that’s difficult – if not impossible – to replicate.

Thanks to technology, Instagrammers and a professional drone company in Dubai are elevating photography to new heights. With innovation evolving all the time, it’s exciting to think what the future may hold and how our perception of the UAE – and the world – will change thanks to photographers and their equipment.