[This is a sponsored post with MaGIC.]
Drones have many facets in the way they attract both amateurs and innovators. They can be used for filming, for commercial purposes such as logistics, or even just for fun (drone racing, anyone?).
Drones-related functions and industries have increased greatly over the years, but one thing remains constant: there are rules and regulations that control or limit how or where these drones can be used.
So where can drone enthusiasts go to Malaysia to fully experience, test and optimize what their drones are capable of?
When it comes to being a unique drone shop, Area 57 he does not want to leave any stone unturned. To understand the role and impact that Area 57 hopes to have, we need to step away a bit to take a look at the bigger picture.
A key player to consider is the Malaysia Corporation Technology Park (RPM), the innovation facilitator and technology facilitator in Malaysia. Established by the Malaysian Ministry of Finance in 1996, it is now consolidating with the Malaysian Center for Global Innovation and Creativity (MaGIC) into a technology marketing agency.
Who is who: TPM operates under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). As a national engine of innovation and technology, TPM manages and operates a 686-acre technology park campus in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. With its physical incubator and technology infrastructure, it is the only locally sourced fourth-generation incubator service provider to offer a wide range of services.
An environment conducive to the growth of drone technology
Returning to Area 57, it is an integrated 5-hectare ecosystem with a marketing research center to accelerate drone technological innovations and talent development. It comes equipped with facilities such as a 100-meter drone runway, a 300-square-meter drone network, drone test mock-up sites, prototype development manufacturing equipment, a service and maintenance workshop and is considered a unique center for drone communities.
The most important objectives in Area 57 include the following:
- Increase the number of certified drone pilots, operators and technicians
- Increase the number of self-produced drone products
- Job creation for pilots, operators, developers, trainers and technicians
- Reduction of costs in services and maintenance of drones
Since its launch in September, drone players have already had the opportunity to experience what the initiative has to offer. One of them is VStream Revolution, a company specialized in offering drone solutions for industrial and commercial use.
They listed the benefits they experienced as follows:
- Location: “The most convenient place for a drone operator to perform flight testing, concept testing, training and other research and development.”
- Facilities: “[It] it has a nursery, an innovation and business center ”.
- Collaboration opportunities: “Other agencies, such as MIMOS, and universities, such as the APU, are in Area 57.”
Saravanan Chettiar, CEO of VStream Revolution, mentioned that by leveraging Area 57 resources, they were able to conduct assessments to confirm the drone pilot’s airworthiness and competence. After this first experience, they began using Area 57 for all their training.
GeoPrecision technology had a similar positive encounter. His business focuses on mapping, soil topography, asset labeling and resource mapping. One of the outstanding projects they are working on is tree inventory and volume estimation for Sarawak Forest Corporation. They have found Area 57 very useful for doing additional field tests while networking.
Another company that has left its mark in the sector is Earth Drone Technology, one of the top tier drone service providers globally. They have been part of Area 57 since the beginning.
The CEO of the company, Izwan, shared: “In fact, we were the ones who prepared the initial proposal document for Area 57 for submission to the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority. We were part of the initial working group of Area 57 and among the pioneers of this initiative ”.
Terra Drone currently focuses on infrastructure inspection, mapping and image analysis solutions, according to the industrial requirement.
By joining Area 57, Izwan believes that “participants can have access to support in the development and manufacture of drones and drones (UAS) systems.”
Area 57 has and will continue to give many startups and enthusiasts the opportunity to transform their businesses and drone technology.
We have already seen a supplier of self-produced drones, Aerodina gain international recognition as top tier remote sensing company around the world. In fact, they now serve as advisors in Area 57 to help promote greater growth of the local ecosystem.
With more testing and certification facilities and equipment to be installed in the near future, Area 57 is poised to play a vital role in the development of the drone community here.
- Learn more about MaGIC here, TPM hereand area 57 here.
- Read what we’ve written about MaGIC in the past here.
Featured Image Credit: MaGIC
