WIPO publishes patents for first UAE inventions in robotic aircraft

Abu Dhabi: The World Intellectual Property Organisation, WIPO, has published the first Emirati international patents for two remotely controlled mini-aircraft used to clean high rise building facades under WIPO No.s: WO/2013/076712, WO/2013/076711. They are also the first international patents to be issued in this field in the whole world, and the first Arabic patents published by the WIPO in the field of aircraft, wherein the search and examining authorities have approved all 93 claims of both of the inventions as novel, inventive, and industrially applicable. The two invention patent requests were filed in more than 160 pages, with 87 innovative models and designs, accomplished by Eida Almuhairbi, Wasfi Alshdaifat and Farah Kassab. Almuhairbi said, "After we tried our prototypes, we filed two applications to WIPO, the first for a set of three mini-helicopters stored in a mobile control vehicle, which provides them with power and water. The units are remotely controlled via a control centre in the van, to move up and down the facade, enabling it to be cleaned very quickly and the helicopters are provided with all control, positioning, and safety electronic devices and sensors, some of which have been invented just for this purpose. The most important characteristic of the cleaning head is its ability to move forward or back depending on the dimensions of protrusions in the facade, and its reciprocating movement up and down to simulate a human style of manual cleaning, as these capabilities are not available in any other facade cleaning machine in the world. Wasfi and Farah said, "The 2nd invention is the first remotely controlled mini-aircraft in history using a moveable top-wing, provided with compressed air released through openings in its top side to lift it up, and as a result lifting the mini-aircraft along the facade. Compressors can be built in to the truck, or installed under the building. The Emirati inventor Eida Almuhairbi has, with her team, filed for 15 international invention patents for the year 2013, and is competing strongly to occupy the top position in the world as the number one international female inventor for the year 2013. – Emirates News Agency, WAM