Drone Tech Asia 2024 Showcases Cutting-Edge UAV Innovations
More than 60 leading companies from the sector took part, presenting more than 100 brands
Drone Tech Asia 2024 has successfully concluded, demonstrating the latest advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and solidifying its position as a pivotal event for the ASEAN autonomous vehicle industry.
Held from November 25-27 at Hall 12 of the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Nonthaburi province, the event attracted significant support from state agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency, and the National Science and Technology Development Agency.
The exhibition featured over 60 leading companies from the drone sector, presenting more than 100 brands of cutting-edge drone technology. Attendees engaged in more than 15 international conferences throughout the three days, all free of charge, highlighted by daily demonstrations of drone and simulator technology.
Manu Liewpairoj, Chairman of GML Exhibition (Thailand) Co Ltd, said: "Advancing commercial drone technology is one of the most important innovations today because many companies still lack a full understanding of how much opportunity this technology will create in the future."
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand reported that, as of September 2024, approximately 103,287 drones were registered in the country, with 90% utilised for recreational photography and entertainment, while the remaining 10% served agricultural purposes. Overall, a total of 147,851 drones have been registered for flight, showing the growing interest in UAV applications.
Yang Jincai, founder and chairman of the World Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Federation, highlighted the importance of the low-altitude economy, noting: "We see both economic benefits and social value from the development of unmanned aircraft and general aviation. This sector not only expands urban aerial transportation applications and logistics services through low-altitude flights but also enhances emergency assistance and agricultural efficiency."
Drone Tech Asia 2024 featured a diverse array of lectures and seminars on engaging topics such as “Monitoring for Climate Resilience & Bio-Diversity Through Aerial Monitoring”, “UAS in Smart Agriculture & Farming”, and “Using the Metaverse to Promote Unmanned Systems”.
A special lecture titled “Drone Innovation for Economic Growth” was presented by Dr. Natthaphol Natthasomboon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, alongside Sutthipong Khongphool, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, who shared insights on fostering the drone industry’s growth in Thailand.
Discussions on “Flight and Aviation Disruption from Drone” involved contributions from experts at the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai Air Force, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and Top Engineering, while a session on “UAS in First Responder Operation” brought participants from the Disaster Response Association of Thailand, 13Store, and Systronics together.
The event also featured technical lectures that delved into industry-relevant technologies, including "From Concept to Flight: The Journey of Thailand's First Jet-Powered Target Drone" by R V Connex Co Ltd and "New Era Drones Innovation" by Systronics Co Ltd, which focused on AI processing and real-time decision-making. The University of Technology Suranaree participated in discussions on "Thailand UAS One Stop Service Platform (ThaiUAS)".
Among the event's highlights were the Drone Swarming Challenge 2024, the Flight Simulator Championship 2024, and a drone soccer demonstration by the Drone Academy of Thailand. Attendees also had the opportunity to experience the excitement of First Person View Drone Racing, organised by Hisingy Thailand.
Drone Tech Asia 2024 not only showcased the impressive developments in drone technology but also emphasised the critical role that UAVs will play in the future of various industries. As the event wrapped up, it exemplified the vast potential that the drone sector holds, paving the way for further innovations and applications in the years to come.
