Drone deliveries take off

ISRAEL LEADS: PLAN TO REMOVE VEHICLES FROM ROADS TO AIR

Safer environment for the purpose and will reduce pollution.

Drone powerhouse Israel is translating the know-how of air force veterans to the delivery of sushi and icecream, as companies tap their expertise to avoid collisions in increasingly crowded skies.

On a grassy stretch of a Tel Aviv beachfront, three drones flew above shiny high-rises this week, propellers buzzing as they lowered down onto landing pads. Two carried sushi, and a third hauled cans of beer. Their flight was made possible by High Lander, an Israeli company that specialises in traffic control for autonomous drones, and Cando, which helps craft drone strategies for clients.

“To fly one drone is not an issue,” High Lander’s chief executive Alon Abelson said. “We are talking about multi-drones... coming from different drone manufacturers, but still they are monitoring with our software and we can make sure they don’t collide.”

The demonstration was part of a 20 million shekel (about R88 million), public-private initiative to advance Israel’s drone technology.

Daniella Partem, who leads the drone initiative at the Israel Innovation Authority, said she envisioned “thousands” of drones flying simultaneously in crowded cities in the future, providing medical deliveries, bolstering police missions and speeding up takeout food.

“Our goal is to create a competitive market in Israel, not dominated by one company,” she said. “If we manage to remove vehicles from the roads to the air, we can affect traffic, we can reduce air pollution... we can create a better, safer environment for the delivery of goods.”

Drone expert Michael Horowitz, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, said Israel was crafting “civilian analogues” to its military drones that are getting smaller and can reportedly move and strike in coordination.

Israel’s military drone programme has faced criticism, especially from Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip, who say it induces fear and can lead to the harming of civilians.

In the commercial drone industry, Horowitz said Israel could offer a new approach to companies that tend to develop their technologies alone.

“Often you’ll have a company like Google that is operating oversight of its own systems only,” he said. “If an Israeli company develops an effective local-level drone command and control architecture that can include drones of lots of different companies, I could imagine a lot of people potentially interested in that product.”

Abelson of High Lander said he had clients around the world, including in Japan, South Korea, France, the US, Israel and African countries. –

IEssentially, the story was to showcase my journey and process, my daily life as a creative starting from scratch. All the aspects from the struggle to the victories.

n a world where predetermined routines and expectations are constantly present, there is a risk that our momentum is innate and our entrepreneurial curiosity disappears unheard of.

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BULLDOG has launched an inspirational new digital storytelling series to champion the entrepreneurial attitude towards life.

The campaign kicks off with compelling short films that follow the impactful, bold beginnings of different protagonists including a musician, street artist, fashion designer and photographer, as they embrace the chance to express themselves in a way that stays true to their authentic self.

The upbeat and lively short films are captured in black and white in a direct affirmation of their echo of BULLDOG’s brave and charmingly daring personality.

The short digital films feature the courageous early stages of fashion designer Wanda Lephoto, pictured, street artist Farai Engelbrecht and photographer Young Stilo.

Designer Lephoto shared his experiences of living his truth and watching his ultimate

Wanda Lephoto Fashion designer

dream come to fruition with The Citizen.

The young fashion designer Lephoto described how he began thrifting and selling second-hand suits to people starting their first jobs.

This is where he found his affinity for fashion design.

“I used to thrift and sell to friends; my clients were mostly young professionals going into their first job and wanting to look the part,” he said.

Coming from a creative agency background, he understood the visual aesthetic associated with corporate wear.

He also understood that those new to the working world need more affordable clothing.

Now, Lephoto’s distinct aesthetic is well established within the fashion industry.

He commented on his beginnings, saying: “I left my agency job to pursue my passion, I was frustrated and wanted more.

“You just have to start, regardless of where it takes you.

Not everything happened as I had dreamed, but it started to shape itself and I started to create my visual identity.”

He added that dreamers have to make a solid decision to just start, then things will begin to fall into place.

“I’ve had my ups and downs and I’m currently in a good and successful stage that’s extremely busy but rewarding.

“The initial fear was struggling with capital, but I’ve gained loads of support which has helped in my present success.”

Speaking of his collaboration with BULLDOG, Lephoto said: “Essentially, the story was to showcase my journey and process, my daily life as a creative starting from scratch.

“All the aspects from the struggle to the victories.”

He feels that this was well executed as the short film does complete justice to his craft.

Those who watch the film can be motivated by what they see and get first-hand experience in the design space.

His advice for up-and-coming creatives is “start with what you can get access to, people need structure and support”.

“It’s a tough battle, but once you get going things fall into place. Reach out to family and friends who can assist.”

He’s a believer in a village working together.

“Build your small community around you, people who believe in your vision,” he said.

With his strong words, he reiterates that he’s still very much in the daily process of needed support.

Lephoto is currently stocking his fashion range in North America and other countries the world over, the first being South Africa.

He’s on the rise and about to add a new collection and a website.