Dubai Municipality just launched a high-tech surveillance program that puts artificial intelligence in the sky. The Smart Municipality Eye initiative sends drones equipped with AI cameras across Dubai’s vast green spaces to spot problems before humans even notice them.
Dubai Municipality signed a partnership with UAE drone manufacturer Eanan to deploy these unmanned aerial vehicles across 52 million square meters of parks, gardens, and green areas throughout the emirate.
Cities worldwide struggle with urban maintenance costs and environmental challenges. Dubai’s approach could set a new standard for how municipalities manage public spaces using predictive technology instead of reactive repairs.
AI Drones Replace Human Inspectors in Dubai Parks
Traditional park maintenance relies on workers walking through green spaces to spot diseased plants, irrigation issues, or pest problems. This manual process covers limited ground and often misses early warning signs.
Dubai’s AI-powered drones completely change this. The aerial vehicles capture high-resolution images of vegetation, analyze plant health through artificial intelligence, and identify problem areas that need immediate attention.
Mashaal Al Marzooqi, director of business development at Eanan, explained the efficiency gain: “Previously, workers would have had to go out inspecting every area. One of those plants might have a disease. Currently, how would those people find out? They go to the park and see the plant. But now the drone and camera will scan the land, take images to specialists who do image-processing, then give us details that in this area a few plants have a disease.”
The National News reported that the Gaith agricultural drone carries a 40-litre tank and spray system for targeted treatment delivery.
Smart Municipality Eye Targets Predictive Maintenance
The real innovation lies in predictive capabilities. Instead of waiting for problems to become visible, the AI system processes drone data to predict potential issues before they develop.
Dubai Municipality Director-General Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita emphasized this proactive approach: “We are not merely planting trees; we are designing and preserving Dubai’s environmental and visual identity with precision. These technologies provide unprecedented capabilities to sustain and maintain our urban assets.”
The system monitors vegetation health, detects irrigation problems, and identifies pest-related concerns through continuous aerial mapping. This data feeds into AI platforms that support predictive maintenance schedules and resource allocation.
According to Zawya, the initiative integrates with Dubai Municipality’s broader digital transformation strategy.
UAE Drone Industry Reaches $148 Million Market Value
Dubai’s drone deployment comes as the UAE drone market shows strong growth momentum. The industry reached $148.13 million in 2024 and projects growth to $363.25 million by 2033, according to market research data.
The UAE has registered over 23,000 drones with a 53% increase in commercial operators in Dubai alone. This regulatory environment supports innovative applications like municipal monitoring systems.
Eanan, the local partner in Dubai’s Smart Municipality Eye project, represents the UAE’s growing aerospace manufacturing sector. Based in Dubai South’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, the company develops unmanned aircraft for various applications, including cargo delivery and agricultural monitoring.
Dubai Live Platform Integrates Drone Data
The Smart Municipality Eye initiative connects to Dubai Municipality’s recently launched Dubai Live platform. This real-time city operations system integrates AI, digital twin models, and predictive analytics across municipal services.
Dubai Live consolidates data from infrastructure monitoring, construction activities, urban planning, and now aerial surveillance. The platform processes information from sensors tracking weather, air pollution, drainage systems, and other city metrics.
Mohammed Ali, future foresight expert at Dubai Municipality, described the scope: “It’s a huge project. The drone will be able to predict issues and many other things.”
The integration creates a comprehensive urban intelligence system that moves Dubai Municipality from reactive to predictive management across all operations.
Eanan Partnership Advances Local Drone Manufacturing
The memorandum of understanding between Dubai Municipality and Eanan Al Samma strengthens cooperation in developing innovative drone technologies for municipal operations.
Eanan Chairman Rashid Hamdan bin Khadim Al Nuaimi said: “We are pleased to partner with Dubai Municipality to advance modern drone technologies supporting sustainability and smart government services. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to developing innovative technological projects.”
The partnership includes technical expertise exchange, solution development, and pilot programs for advanced operational models. Both organizations focus on flexible municipal service delivery and forward-looking urban planning.
Eanan’s involvement demonstrates the UAE’s strategy to build domestic capabilities in emerging technologies rather than relying solely on international suppliers.
Global Smart City Drone Adoption Accelerates
Dubai’s initiative reflects trends in smart city development worldwide. Cities deploy drone technology for infrastructure monitoring, traffic management, and environmental surveillance.
The global drone detection market reached $729.8 million in 2024 and projects growth to $3,362.1 million by 2030, indicating rapid adoption of unmanned aerial systems in urban management.
Smart city applications include:
- Infrastructure inspection and maintenance
- Traffic monitoring and management
- Emergency response coordination
- Environmental monitoring
- Security and surveillance operations
Dubai’s focus on predictive maintenance through AI-powered drones positions the emirate as a leader in municipal technology adoption.
Environmental Impact Drives Technology Investment
Dubai’s 52 million square meters of green space require significant maintenance resources. Traditional methods consume substantial labour hours and often miss early problem indicators.
The Smart Municipality Eye system aims to optimize resource allocation while improving environmental outcomes. Early detection of plant diseases, irrigation issues, and pest problems prevents larger-scale damage requiring extensive remediation.
The technology enables more precise intervention while reducing overall maintenance costs and environmental impact.
The initiative launched during Urban Future Week at the Museum of the Future, highlighting Dubai’s commitment to innovative urban planning solutions.
