Visitors to an exhibition that opened at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday can get an up-close look at a remote-controlled security vehicle and artificial intelligence that could be the future of air traffic control.
They are among the prize exhibits at UAE Innovations, which runs at the expo site until February 16.
Government bodies and private sector companies are displaying their latest technology at the event.
A highlights of the opening day was the Emirates Sniper – a remote-controlled vehicle with a gun attached that sends live footage back to a control room.
The vehicle, which is on display at the Ministry of Interior stand, is expected to be rolled out for police work — including raid operations and filming security events.
A robot receptionist that greets you when you arrive at a hospital was also among the star attractions on Friday.
“It’s already being used in some hospitals in Dubai,” said engineer Vaibhav Yadav, who was demonstrating to visitors how the robot worked.
“The robot will greet you when you arrive and you can ask it questions and it will give you the information you need about which part of the hospital you need to go to.”
He said the robot, which costs around $40,000, can be programmed for a whole range of purposes.
Other inventions on show include the AI Planner, from the General Civil Aviation Authority. This processes information more quickly than humans, making air traffic flow predictions more precise, reducing the margin for error.
The Ministry of Climate Change is showcasing the Green Barjeel environmental project. This involves installing algae stations at the side of roads and other strategic locations to collect and store greenhouse gas emissions.
A national early warning system is also being previewed at the exhibition. This will send early alerts during emergencies to mobile phones, radio, television and mosque speakers, warning residents of impending danger.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
