CYBERJAYA — After introducing Malaysia’s first-ever National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence (Aksadron) last year, Futurise Sdn Bhd, a company under the Finance Ministry, organised Aksadron Day 2023 to foster growth within the drone sports community and identify potential talent.
Futurise’s chief executive officer Rosihan Zain Baharudin said the one-day programme held last Saturday also aimed at increasing public awareness of drone sports and drone technologies, shedding light on their capabilities and potential applications.
“Aksadron Day 2023 serves as a catalyst, igniting interest and enthusiasm among the future generation.
“It was designed to highlight the diverse applications of drones, spanning from their potential economic contributions to their immersive usage in entertainment and sports such as races and games.
“Events like this, in the long run, cultivate a vibrant talent pool and foster a dynamic drone ecosystem, that resonates with the burgeoning needs of the drone industry, both domestically and on a global scale,” he said.
Rosihan said drones have transcended boundaries, spearheading a revolution across industries such as agriculture, construction, and logistics and even assumed a pivotal role in critical relief and rescue operations.
Themed “Drone Discovery Day: Unleashing the Skies’ Potential”, the Aksadron Day 2023 which was held at Rekascape in Cyberjaya, brought together drone enthusiasts, industry experts, thought leaders and curious minds to embark on an immersive journey into the dynamic realm of drones.
Rosihan said attendees were treated to a day filled with exciting activities, insightful talks and interactive exhibits that showcased remarkable advancements in drone technology.
“One of the event’s highlights was the Whoop Drone Race, where agile and high-speed drones showcased their prowess in thrilling races.
“The First Person View (FPV) racing and drone soccer competitions added an extra layer of excitement, captivating the audience with the sheer speed and agility of these aerial marvels,” he said.
Three FPV drone sports programmes offered at the event were drone sports basic to learn on theory, assembly, programming, simulator and practical flying; drone sports hands-on exposure for schools with workshops for introductory, theory, simulator and practical flying; and drone sports hands-on exposure for higher educational institutions.
He said the event drew participants from ecosystem players, partners, thought leaders, various higher learning institutions and schools as well as the general public, fostering an environment of learning, exploration and friendly competition.
Citing a recent market research, Rosihan said the Malaysian drones market revenue amounted to US$8.5 million (RM39.5 million) in 2023, with a projected annual growth rate of 9.35 per cent, while the market volume is projected at US$13.3 million (about RM61.8 million) by 2028.
He said drones are also poised to redefine urban transportation by offering efficient, aerial solutions to traffic congestion and last-mile delivery challenges, hence Futurise is actively researching and developing drone systems that can safely and autonomously navigate urban environments.
“While there are regulatory and logistical hurdles to overcome, the potential benefits in terms of reducing commute times and carbon emissions are significant.
“Our company is at the forefront of this transformative movement, working closely with regulatory bodies and urban planners to pave the way for this exciting future,” he said.
Rosihan said Malaysia’s adoption of drone technology is gaining significant momentum with the market share expected to grow to RM12.13 billion or 4.3% of the global market this year as the drone industry is valued at US$41.3 billion (RM180 billion).
“We are optimistic Malaysia could surpass 5% global market share by 2024 and we want to continue the momentum by attracting more talent pools and expose the people especially the younger generation to consider the drone industry as a career,” he said. — August 28, 2023