and smart geo expo in Seoul today Korea Aviation Safety Technology Institute (KIAST) Signed a landmark MOU with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Urban Infrastructure Development (MUID) to promote drone mapping in Ethiopia.The project will be led on the ground by South Korean drone-based geography and survey experts Hojun Solutions.
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The agreement will bring drone-based mapping services and critical skills transfer efforts to Ethiopia, empowering it to be an effective tool for change. Hojung Vice President Andrew Cho said, “This MOU will initiate collaborative work to create the necessary elements to establish drone skill sharing, safety frameworks and sustained growth in drone applications. ‘ said.
Hojung Solutions brings drone mapping expertise to the country. Establish a skills transfer framework to develop a local workforce for commercial drone applications, with the help of KIAST, with the goal of creating a “Center of Excellence” program. Maintain aviation safety standards along with pilot and application skills.
This is a unique model and one of the ways South Korean government agencies have been actively working to support the drone industry. KIAST is responsible for aircraft certification and safety standards. The Advanced Aviation Research Division charter includes both the development of UAS regulations and safety standards, as well as the support and development of the Korean drone industry. Partnering with Hojung on this project allowed us to provide safety and standards expertise as well as drone-based mapping services for Ethiopia.
Munsoek Lee, CEO of Hojung Solutions, explained that geospatial information is a powerful tool for transforming Ethiopia. “With good geospatial information, Ethiopia could solve many problems, including fair land taxation,” he says. “Once we know where people are, we can start developing our road and water infrastructure more effectively.”
Image Credit: African Drone Forum: Remo-M
According to the US International Trade Bureau, Ethiopia’s ten-year (2020-2030) transport sector vision plan is very ambitious. At the end of fiscal year 2019/20, Ethiopia had 144,024 km (89,492 miles) of all-weather roads. The Ethiopian government plans to build another 10,000 km of roads over the next decade, including expanding the highway network to 1,600 km. Road development plays an important role in the country’s economic development plan. Drone mapping also provides an effective way to bring both geospatial information and technology transfer to the region.
Hojung Solutions will use UCONSYSTEM aircraft, including the hand-launched Remo-M model and the new eVTOL fixed-wing endurance drone.
Learn more about Hojung Solutions and the Korean drone industry here.
Miriam McNabb, editor-in-chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of professional drone services marketplace JobForDrones, is a fascinating observer of the emerging drone industry and drone regulatory environment. With her 3,000+ articles focused on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam holds a degree from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing of new technologies.
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