Over 120 global submissions were judged by 38 drone experts and business leaders to award this year’s 18 Airwards main category winners. Announced during the second-ever Airwards Winners’ Week (23-31 May 2022), the winners have been recognised by Airwards as the pinnacle in innovative, responsible and impactful projects made possible with drones.
Identifying malaria mosquito breeding sites; delivering urgent health supplies to remote communities; tracking Pangolin poachers; locating people faster in disaster relief operations; measuring methane to reduce carbon emissions; and educating children in drones with a STEM-themed Mars flight training mission – are just some of the groundbreaking, lifesaving and pioneering drone projects to be awarded in the 2021/22 Airwards.
Airwards 21/22 Winners – Technology
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Sensors & Payload: CENTUM R&T for The fastest UAV’s phone location system
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Software – Captured data mgt. analysis: PlotBox for Drones: Future of cemetery management
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Software – Enabling flight ops. mgt.: TechEagle for Saving Lives with Delivery Drone
Airwards 21/22 Winners – Operations
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Airspace Management: Queensland Uni of Tech. (QUT) for Australian Drone Facility Maps
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Delivery: Swoop Aero for Creating the future of air logistics
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Survey and Inspection: sees.ai for Electricity grid aerial inspection
Airwards 21/22 Winners – Supporting Services
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Consultancy: Hover UAV for BVLOS from Remote Operations Centre
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Training and Certification: RPAS Training Academy for Genesis Hub Drone Academy
Airwards 21/22 Winners – Industry/Field
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Construction and Planning: HEROTECH8 for Power Station Aerial Inspection
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Defence Security and Surveillance: ModalAI for VOXL CAM for smaller smarter safer robot
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Energy: Flylogix for Emissions Measurement Offshore
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Media Events and Creative: Mirragin for Elevate Sydney Drone Sky Show
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Medical and Healthcare: GLOBHE Drones for Maladrone Project
Airwards 21/22 Winners – Giving Back
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Conservation and Environment: Wildlife Drones for ‘Protecting pangolins from poaching’
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Education and Research: Drone Legends for ‘Drone Flight Mission!’
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Emergency Response and SAR: Zipline for ‘COVID Vaccine Distribution Across Ghana’
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Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief: Swoop Aero for ‘Creating the future of air logistics’
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Public Safety: Cyberhawk for ‘How Drones Help Keep the Lights On’
Richard Nichols, Airwards founder, says: “We’ve been blown away by the breadth of groundbreaking drone work in the past year. Coming out of the pandemic hasn’t been easy, but I think the winners all demonstrate the commitment – by companies of all sizes – in providing lifesaving solutions with drones. The judges had a tough job determining the winners but all those recognised in this year’s Airwards demonstrate the highest level of innovative, responsible and impactful drone work. We’re excited to see all of these positive use cases flourish – pushing boundaries and improving the world we live in – and to see what the next 12 months hold!”
From pioneering conservation work and lifesaving projects to groundbreaking innovation and tech, Airwards is the first global awards programme to recognise the breadth of drone work being carried out around the world. Launched in 2020, the not-for-profit is dedicated to demonstrating that ‘Life’s Better With Drones’ by recognising positive use cases and championing global best practice scenarios in which drones are helping industries solve problems and save lives.
