Global awards platform, Airwards, has unveiled the line-up of award categories for its inaugural year, ahead of submissions opening on 1 December 2020. The first unifying digital awards scheme of its kind to recognise best practice drone work, the Airwards categories span a broad variety of uses and sectors, including Technology, Operations, Supporting Services, specific Industries/Fields and Giving Back – with a People’s Choice category that is voted for by the public.

The brainchild of digital entrepreneur Richard Nichols, Airwards is an independent, not-for-profit awards platform which champions the very best UAS projects that are positively advancing human capabilities. Submissions will be open from December 2020 until 12 February 2021, and Airwards will be looking for outstanding work examples where drones are truly leading the way in innovation, responsibility and impactful real-world solutions.

Airwards Categories

Airwards is open to a range of individuals and companies globally, including UAS specialists transforming an industry, start-ups using drone technology for creative solutions, and large corporations driving innovation. Of the groups listed below, Technology, Operations, Supporting Services and Industry/Field categories are paid-for entries (starting from £49 for start-ups), while Giving Back is free to enter and People’s Choice is nomination only and voted by the public.

Technology

Counter Drone Systems (Anti-Drones)

Sensors and Payload

Software – Captured data management and analysis

Software – Enabling flight and operational management

Operations

Airspace Management

Delivery

Survey and Inspection

Supporting Services

Consultancy

Insurance and Financing

Repair and Maintenance

Training and Certification

Industry/Field

Agriculture

Construction and Planning

Defence, Security and Surveillance

Energy

Media, Events and Creative

Medical and Healthcare

Transport

Giving Back

Conservation and Environment

Education and Research

Emergency Response and SAR

Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief

Public Safety

People’s Choice

Organisation – External Advocate

Organisation – Startup

Organisation – SME

Organisation – Enterprise

Person – Rising Star

Person – Industry Impactor

Person – Disruptor

Airwards founder, Richard Nichols, says: “After months of hard work, it’s exciting to finally reveal the awards categories list for our inaugural year. Airwards was established to champion UAS projects that are pushing boundaries, creating innovative solutions and transforming industries – not only as a way to bring together the drone community, but also to raise awareness of positive drone uses with the wider public. While we’re recognising a huge number of sectors in the awards scheme, there are many more we would have liked to include, but we had to rein it in for year one! We’re really looking forward to finding and championing incredible use cases of drones and showcasing the inspiring stories behind them from across the globe come December.”

Marek Ziebart, Professor of Space Geodesy at UCL and an Airwards advisor, comments: “A platform recognising the evolution of drone technology and the importance of a holistic approach to the industry’s growth can only be a positive. Combine this with building a community of flagship use cases and technical expertise and I’m excited to be involved in advising such an innovative venture.”