Dubai's Museum of the Future has recruited a new member of staff to help visitors with their queries — an AI-powered humanoid robot.
Named Ameca, the robot has a human-like face and body and is capable of making facial expressions.
Ameca will interact with visitors to the Museum of the Future's Tomorrow Today exhibition, greeting them, giving directions and answering questions.
Ameca even has a sense of humour, according to its manufacturer, Engineered Arts, which describes it as the "world’s most advanced human-shaped robot".
The Tomorrow Today exhibition highlights solutions and concepts that demonstrate the application of advanced technology in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.
It features more than 50 exhibits, including prototypes and current products focusing on five areas: waste management, environment, food security, agriculture and city planning.
The Museum of the Future was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in February.
The 77-metre-tall architectural marvel houses a series of interactive exhibitions that give visitors the chance to experience future technology and trends.
Spanning an area of 30,000 square metres, the pillarless structure has also been promoted as a novel global intellectual centre.
The stainless steel facade, which extends to more than 17,000 square metres, is illuminated by 14,000 metres of Arabic calligraphy designed by Mattar Bin Lahej, based on the poetry of Sheikh Mohammed about his vision for the city's future.
Translated into English, it says: "The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it. It isn’t something you await, but rather create.”
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The Museum of the Future opened in Dubai. The emirate is focusing on 'industries of the future' to boost its economy. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Avatar Aya speaks to guests as they go to the first chapter, OSS Hope space station. -
The museum gives visitors a glimpse of Dubai in 2071. -
Visitors travel to the first chapter, OSS Hope. -
Visitors look at key elements of the solar system. -
Visitors become Mars colony ambassadors to Earth. -
Visitors look at a model of OSS Hope. -
Vault of Life uses cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technology to introduce visitors into an interactive experience where they collect samples from nature. -
Their task is to contribute to efforts being made to restore the natural environment, rehabilitate the forest with its plants and animals, and help to repair the damage inflicted. -
The nature simulator allows visitors to list the living organisms they contributed to saving virtually. -
Visitors enjoy the second chapter, the Heal Institute. -
The Heal Institute is a research centre focused on preserving the planet's ecosystem through the use of the latest AI and bio-technology. -
The library, where arguably the museum’s most stunning feature lies. -
Tomorrow Today exhibition includes advanced and pioneering technology that can help to shape the future of humanity. -
Teslaglove that allows you to feel virtual reality objects. -
A full metal jacket, made of 65% copper and resistant to viruses, is on display at the Tomorrow Today section. -
MARS, Modular Artificial Reef Structure, at the Tomorrow Today section. -
Visitors in the Tomorrow Today section. -
The Future Heroes floor has been designed for children under the age of 10 to stimulate scientific curiosity. -
It takes young people and younger generations on a future journey that expands their positive view of our world. -
It also enhances their confidence in their abilities to make positive changes. -
The children's floor aims to consolidate their belief in the potential of humanity to affect significant change and reinforce their conviction that nothing is impossible with science. -
Al Waha focuses on health and wellness, offering visitors an opportunity to reconnect with themselves, away from the distraction of external influences and always-on technologies. -
It takes them to a world that simulates the senses and heightens their response mechanism to external influences. -
This allows them to meditate and enhance the natural balance within them without the use of technology. -
The Connection Therapy in Al Waha. -
The Museum of the Future will be a space for knowledge that gathers intellectuals and futurists from all over the world. -
A drone of an octopus at the Museum of the Future. -
A drone of a penguin at the Museum of the Future. -
The Museum of the Future in Dubai opened its doors to the public on Wednesday.
