Just when it seemed robotic machines had reached their peak in terms of customer service, a futuristic scene unfolded with the unveiling of a robotic arm powered by artificial intelligence to pump fuel at an Adnoc station on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi.
Adnoc Distribution showed several innovative and AI-driven types of technology at the petrol station on Wednesday.
The company hopes that such innovation will shape and influence the industry in the years ahead.
The robotic arm uses state-of-the-art computer vision technology and assists in better managing capacity at the petrol station, as well as traffic flow.
However, this does not imply that petrol station attendants will soon be out of work. Instead, the company says the robot will assist in streamlining and organising tasks, enabling them to focus on other responsibilities.
“Adnoc Distribution’s artificial intelligence and digitally enabled innovations deliver seamless customer experiences while supporting and enabling our service station attendants to focus on delivering best-in-class customer service across all other touch points,” Maaz Qureshi, vice president of digital business at Adnoc Distribution told The National.
So, how does the technology work? When a vehicle arrives at the filling station, the driver selects the desired fuel type via a touchscreen interface or the Adnoc Distribution mobile app.
The robotic arm, equipped with a specialised nozzle, then extends towards the vehicle, guided by sensors that help to align the nozzle with the tank opening.
Once correctly positioned, the robotic arm inserts the nozzle and pumps fuel into the vehicle.
Advanced sensors and cameras are used to monitor the process for safety and efficiency, ensuring a smooth operation.
Once completed, the robotic arm retracts the nozzle and then sends a notification to the driver that the refuelling is done.
This innovative system offers speed, convenience and environmental benefits, reducing the risk of spills and eliminating the need for attendants at traditional fuel stations and allowing them to focus on other services.
Click & Collect
In addition to the robotic arm, Adnoc Distribution has also introduced a new retail service called “Click & Collect”.
This service allows customers to buy Oasis convenience store food and beverage products through the mobile app and have their orders delivered to their vehicle upon arrival at selected service stations.
Participating locations in the UAE include the flagship Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road station and Abu Dhabi Corniche Road, with many more to follow shortly.
UAE’s fastest car wash
Adnoc Distribution also unveiled an innovative car wash tunnel capable of servicing 35 to 40 vehicles an hour.
With each wash taking only seven to eight minutes, including drying time, customers will not have to worry about washing their car at the weekend because of traffic.
The news release stated that the tunnel car wash operates sustainably, using 80 per cent recycled water during the process.
The system efficiently moves vehicles through the tunnel using an automatic conveyor belt, and can handle up to four vehicles simultaneously.
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
