Sharjah police showcase 'life saving' drone named 'Ruckus'

When one thinks about drones in the Middle East, thoughts often turn to their use in surveillance operations and deadly attacks carried out on combatant groups in the region. 

However, this week in Sharjah the Emirate’s Police force has showcased a drone that it says will help save lives at an expo organised by the Sharjah Media Centre.

Called “Sakhab” (an Arabic term used to describe a ruckus, or loud noise) Sharjah police say the drone has been designed to help detect potential incidents of suicide from high rise buildings in the Emirate. 

Speaking to the Khaleej Times, Lt. Omar Bu Khalifa noted that 23 suicide attempts had been reported in Sharjah in 2016.

Sakhab is capable of travelling at speeds up to 45 km per hour and flying at high altitudes. Equipped with advanced cameras, each drone is fitted with a SIM card to relay information, and help police reach and dissuade people from attempting to commit suicide. 

However, Sharjah police have also pointed out that Sakhab, which has been in limited-service since October, is also equipped to oversee protests and rallies — which seems perhaps apt given its name — and in the case of a fire fly above high rises to notify residents to evacuate. 

The device has a battery life of 20 minutes before it must return to base and recharge and costs a total of 100,00 Emirati dirham ($36,728), with Sharjah police planning to make Sakhabs available to all patrol units.