The innovation launched by Dnata, will monitor goods with an accuracy of 99.8%.

Starting off as a means to gain access to essentials during the lockdown, e-commerce has experienced a surge in demand during the pandemic, becoming an integral part of everyday routine for Emiratis. Like work from home triggered increased usage of video calling tools, along with higher sales of hardware, the rising number of online orders has led to the growth of the storage and transportation infrastructure in the region.

Autonomous trucks to move around goods, paired with systems to track ships as well as containers at the port, are among innovations that businesses are relying on to get products safely to the market. But in order to deploy computer vision for keeping an eye on the cargo, a firm based out of the UAE has flown in smart drones for assistance at its warehouses.

The autonomous flying objects introduced by Dnata, can keep track of shipments with accuracy as high as 99.8%, and is powered by American startup Gather AI. The drones can scan barcodes via cameras mounted on them, apart from counting cases and checking the temperature.

Drones deployed at warehouses are also linked to a tablet, and information collected is passed on to users through an online app. Having partnerships with 300 airlines and tools for UV sanitisation of cabin as well as cargo, Dnata is now eyeing a global expansion for the hovering trackers.

Thanks to the ability to function in temperatures as low as -10 degree Celsius, the drones are also a suitable fit for cold storage in Dnata's supply chain. With investments in services like dangerous goods AutoCheck for airlines, the firm has enough experience to monitor cargo as digital assets.

Drones have already been tested in the supply chain in the UAE, as authorities used the unmanned flying vehicles to monitor trucks on the highways. The adoption of these devices has increased accuracy, as they can reach beyond the limitations of the human eye.