LIVE BLOG: Latest on Expo 2020 Dubai here
If you pay a visit to Expo 2020 Dubai, you are almost certain to stumble upon a friendly orange robot called Opti.
There are 50 of the motorised mascots rolling around the world fair greeting visitors and offering up nuggets of information, including directions and jokes.
Occasionally they even gather in packs to perform flashmob-style dance routines to Kanye West's song Stronger.
It's the first time anything remotely like this has ever been done
Arash Masomzadeh,
Opti
One of the biggest success stories of the Expo, the robots' design and their level of interaction with the public has broken new ground, said Arash Masomzadeh, the group director of robotics for Terminus Group, the Chinese artificial intelligence company who created Opti.
"It's the first time anything remotely like this has ever been done. Terminus took 2D and 3D drawings of Opti from Expo, and we brought their mascot to life as a technological and AI-powered machine," Mr Masomzadeh said.
"Expo 2020 will always be remembered as the first international mega-event that allows users to interact with different types of robots that perform different types of functions for daily activities."
The robots have artificial intelligence, which enables them to get in tune with their environment. After being stationed on a site, they learn to block out certain noises and, after a certain amount of time, they can focus in on individual people talking to them.
However, before we start to worry about 50 Optis taking over the world, Mr Masomzadeh reassured us that the robots are not autonomous, or self-learning.
"All of this is done in the back-end, whereby we look at the user interaction, and then guide the robot on how best to direct the user and how best to give them the answers that they're really looking for," he said.
"They can not do much without humans teaching them what to do."
Roaming robots
There are 72 other robots roaming around the Expo site – all of them designed to improve the visitor's experience of the world fair.
There ares several security patrol robots, 30 attendant or concierge-style indoor robots, and two types of delivery robot – one of which is a kiosk that carries maps for Expo visitors, and the other is a delivery platform robot that distributes free ice and drinks.
Opti's main purpose in life is to charm, Mr Masomzadeh said.
"The primary role of Opti is to welcome visitors and encourage fun engagement.
"It's more geared towards the children, so it's at child's level and they also do different facial expressions for the kids to stand next to and take photos.
"Opti really is an introduction to robotics for the general public, which is the aim of this Expo."
Watch: Opti flashmob dance at Expo 2020 Dubai
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Key findings of Jenkins report
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- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
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