Flying taxis and surveillance drones are among things that usually pop up whenever a vision for futuristic cities is discussed. From Dubai's aspirations of becoming a smart city, to Saudi Arabia's high-tech plans for NEOM, aerial mobility has been mentioned at some point of time.

The rise of drones on the Middle East's urban landscape has even triggered plans for AI-backed air traffic control, designed specifically for avoiding mid-air collisions above cities. With aerial devices set to glide through smart spaces in the gulf, a startup from Saudi Arabia is tapping the tech for optimum productivity.

A year after it took off, Firnas Aero is offering three crucial services for future-ready businesses, elevated by drones. The first of these is surveillance via aerial vehicles, which are being floated as an alternative for patrol cars, and will provide live-feed for clients to gain real-time updates.

Following the successful deployment of drones to monitor cargo trucks in the Emirates, Firnas is also promising accurate inspection of facilities. Its flying devices are equipped to conduct image analytics, and can compile detailed reports, hence doing away with the hassle of sifting through thousands of pictures.

To add to these, the startup will also cater to a rising demand for e-commerce in the region, through drone-backed delivery services.

The mind behind the firm, Tariq Nasraldeen has also proposed a system, where drones could hover above airport runways to spot plastic, trash or tools. Considering that the damage caused by these objects to airplanes costs the sector about $4 billion every year, makes his idea a potentially game changing one.

Drones are being explored as delivery vehicles by e-commerce giants on a global scale, and its only a matter of time before similar services become a crucial part of the supply chain in the Middle East.

Currently these aerial gadgets are changing every sector from logistics to security and even agriculture, since more sophisticated ones are even empowered by AI and facial recognition.