Categories announced for industry-first global awards platform
The brainchild of digital entrepreneur Richard Nichols, Airwards is an independent, not-for-profit awards platform which champions the very best UAS projects that are positively advancing human capabilities.
Submissions will be open from December 2020 until 12th February 2021, and Airwards will be looking for outstanding work examples where drones are truly leading the way in innovation, responsibility and impactful real world solutions.
Airwards Categories
Airwards is open to a range of individuals and companies globally, including UAS specialists transforming an industry, startups using drone technology for creative solutions, and large corporations driving innovation.
Of the groups listed below, Technology, Operations, Supporting Services and Industry/Field categories are paid-for entries (starting from £49 for startups), while Giving Back is free to enter and People’s Choice is nomination only and voted by the public.
Technology
Counter Drone Systems (Anti-Drones)
Sensors and Payload
Software – Captured data management and analysis
Software – Enabling flight and operational management
Operations
Airspace Management
Delivery
Survey and Inspection
Supporting Services
Consultancy
Insurance and Financing
Repair and Maintenance
Training and Certification
Industry/Field
Agriculture
Construction and Planning
Defence, Security and Surveillance
Energy
Media, Events and Creative
Medical and Healthcare
Transport
Giving Back
Conservation and Environment
Education and Research
Emergency Response and SAR
Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief
Public Safety
People’s Choice
Organisation – External Advocate
Organisation – Startup
Organisation – SME
Organisation – Enterprise
Person – Rising Star
Person – Industry Impactor
Person – Disruptor
Airwards Founder, Richard Nichols, said: “After months of hard work, it’s exciting to finally reveal the awards categories list for our inaugural year. Airwards was established to champion UAS projects that are pushing boundaries, creating innovative solutions and transforming industries – not only as a way to bring together the drone community, but also to raise awareness of positive drone uses with the wider public.
“While we’re recognising a huge number of sectors in the awards scheme, there are many more we would have liked to include, but we had to rein it in for year one! We’re really looking forward to finding and championing incredible use cases of drones and showcasing the inspiring stories behind them from across the globe come December.”
Marek Ziebart, Professor of Space Geodesy at UCL and an Airwards advisor, commented: “A platform recognising the evolution of drone technology and the importance of a holistic approach to the industry’s growth can only be a positive. Combine this with building a community of flagship use cases and technical expertise and I’m excited to be involved in advising such an innovative venture.”
Airwards Eligibility & Criteria
Entrants must successfully meet the Airwards eligibility to be able to enter, which includes relevant permits and licences for the project in the country of origin.
Amongst others, the three main criteria the Airwards judges will be looking for, are:
Innovative: Promoting pioneering ideas that are successfully challenging the perception of what a drone is and can be.
Responsible: Recognising the key aspect of safety in every drone flight to advocate legitimate behaviour as a standard best practice.
Real-world: Asking the question: ‘How are drones making a difference?’ by demonstrating quantifiable outcomes and tangible solutions.
Airwards launched in 2020 in association with ARPAS-UK, the not-for-profit trade association for the UK drone industry. Judges will be revealed in due course. Entrants will have from 1st December 2020 until 12 February 2021, with winners announced by late May 2021.
2020-12-01
