Meet Moley: robotic kitchen that cooks and cleans unveiled at Gitex


Evelyn Lau
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Not everyone is a natural whizz in the kitchen, but a futuristic invention hopes to help even kitchen novices cook up a storm.

Moley, a fully automated robot kitchen, launched at Gitex technology fair in Dubai’s World Trade Centre this week. The high-tech gadget can create entire meals, suggest dishes based on what’s in stock in your cupboards, clean itself and even tell you what ingredients need replacing.

It also boasts an automated unit consisting of cabinets, two five-finger robotic arms, a motion-capture system, a connected graphic user interface, a screen with access to a library of recipes, and a full set of smart kitchen appliances and equipment that can be used by both robot and human.

Moley can save up to 5,000 recipes in its system and has two robot hands which can perform simple tasks such as fetch items from the smart fridge, adjust cooking temperatures and use the sink to fill pans. Using sensors at the end of its arms, the robot can judge the pressure needed to ensure the correct hold of objects and ingredients.

However, it isn’t just the robot that impressed Gitex visitors, as the smart appliances in the kitchen are equally impressive. The smart fridge has the capability to inform users when the shelf life of a product is about to expire, as well as maintain an optimum temperature for different types of ingredients stored inside. It also has a smart storage system that can inform users when a specific product is about to run out.

In terms of design, the kitchen is currently available in only two options: luxury and modern. The luxury kitchen features Corian worktops, ebony lacquered panels and Patagonian marble kitchen island top. The modern design has more contemporary finishes using ceramic or Corian worktops, and panels in shades such as smoked eucalyptus. The Moley kitchen is also available with or without the robotic hands.

The project is the brainchild of Mark Oleynik, chief executive and founder of Moley Robotics, and has been in development for six years.

“Food is the basis of a good quality of life — we need proper nutrition. My goal is to make people’s lives better, healthier, and happier,” Oleynik says in a blog post by the Moley Robotics team.

The world's first fully robotic kitchen was launched at Gitex. Courtesy Moley Robotics
The world's first fully robotic kitchen was launched at Gitex. Courtesy Moley Robotics

“After multiple cycles of development and testing, we transformed the concept prototype into a complex fully functioning product that’s ready for consumer use,” the post adds.

“A talented team of more than 100 engineers from a variety of world-class robotics companies applied the latest technologies. They have been supported by a team of interior and kitchen designers who completed the look of the kitchen with a combination of stylish form and exquisite materials resulting in the final, elegant look.”

The company has announced that future updates include being able to sync the kitchen to a smartphone so that users can operate it remotely, for example, setting it to cook dinner while coming home from work.

Currently the kitchen is only available for delivery in the EU, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Norway and Russia. However, there are plans to expand to North America. It's not known yet if or when Moley will be available in the UAE.

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Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 760Nm

Price: From Dh280,000

Fighter profiles

Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)

Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.

Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)

Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.

Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)

Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.

Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)

One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.

Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)

Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.

Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)

Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.

 

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

SPECS
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The%20specs
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Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”