GeekFest 2015 will celebrate the spirit of collaboration

Two years ago, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and the Ruler of Dubai, launched the Smart City project with education, health care and security being powered by technology. At the centre of that effort are the country’s technophiles, who share ideas and aid innovation.

On Saturday, June 13, GeekFest 2015 will celebrate that spirit of collaboration at Impact Hub Dubai. Organisers have returned to the basics of the first event that was held in 2009 by founders Alexander McNabb and Saadia Zahid in Dubai, after which it spread to other countries in the Middle East. Expect talks on “The internet of things” and “Social media clichés”, and workshops on educational games and Oculus Rift, a new virtual reality headset. Dubai-based DJ and music producer Kapital 7 will be spinning tunes at the festival.

Gadget demos

French wireless products manufacturer Parrot will be giving geeks a rundown and demonstration of some of its latest drones, including the mini-drone Rolling Spider and Bebop quadcopter. Drones have been used as a military tool since 2000, but now have become popular for artistic and leisure purposes. Mini-drones are a regular feature in photo and video production, and these unmanned aerial vehicles are also increasingly being used in more novel ways. Officials in China are using them to catch students cheating in exams, while Amazon is testing it for deliveries.

Original article by Afshan Ahmed

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GeekFest 2015 will celebrate the spirit of collaboration