TII Moves Drone Autonomy into Live Operations with ENEC and ASPIRE
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has signed a proof-of-concept agreement with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and ASPIRE to test autonomous drones for patrolling and monitoring critical infrastructure, as Abu Dhabi pushes to harden nationally strategic assets using AI-enabled systems.
The trial will evaluate aerial robotics designed for routine and on-demand perimeter patrols in a live operational environment. The partners said the work will measure system performance, operational reliability and whether the technology is ready to scale.
“Safeguarding critical infrastructure requires solutions that are not only innovative, but proven, resilient, and aligned with the highest global standards,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC Managing Director and Group CEO. He said the proof-of-concept will assess how autonomous aerial systems can improve situational awareness and support faster responses “in a live operational environment.”
TII Chief Executive Officer Dr Najwa Aaraj said the project is aimed at validating whether autonomous aerial systems can handle real-world complexity while meeting strict security expectations.
“Autonomous aerial systems have reached a level of maturity where they can meaningfully enhance the safety of complex environments,” Aaraj said. She added the work will focus on ensuring drone-based patrolling meets “the highest standards of robustness, reliability, and security.”
ASPIRE Chief Executive Officer Stephane Timpano described the collaboration as an effort to turn applied research into deployable capability tied to an operational need.
“This PoC is not just about testing technology,” Timpano said. “It is about creating a clear bridge from R&D to deployment and commercialization.”
The organisations said the proof-of-concept will be conducted within ENEC’s existing safety and security frameworks.
Critical infrastructure is becoming harder to protect with human-only monitoring as sites expand, threat profiles evolve, and response expectations tighten. Autonomous aerial patrols promise persistent coverage, faster detection and better visibility across large perimeters — but only if they can operate reliably under real conditions and fit into strict safety governance. By testing in a live environment with a critical operator, TII is trying to move the conversation from “autonomy as a demo” to autonomy as a system that can be measured, audited and trusted.