Gitex Technology ready to take off with the first public view of Dubai's flying taxi

Velocopter, mobile wallets and robot doctors are expected to be the highlights of the 2017 technology show

Last year, Dubai Police displayed a robot enforcer at Gitex Technology Week. Pawan Singh / The National
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It should be coming to the skies over Dubai before much longer, but for the first sight of the city’s new flying taxi head to Gitex Technology Week on Sunday.

The two-seater Volocopter will on public show for the first time at the annual five-day display of the latest advances in technology at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Last month Volocopter revealed footage of the first test flights in the city for its flying taxi, which is being developed in partnership with the Road and Transport Authority.

Other visions of the future are likely to include innovative ways to pay for shopping beyond credit cards and cash.

A new mobile wallet service will also launch during Gitex 2017. The open platform service Trriple will be able to receive funds, make payments, top mobile phones and even make overseas transfers of money.

BlackBerry also aims to show that it is still in the game, making its first appearance at the three day event.

The mobile device company has suffered in recent years with the rise of smartphones, but plans to mark its Gitex Technology Week debut by showcasing its latest products.

Among the developments in healthcare promised are the increasing use of robots and artificial intelligence for treating patients, as well as augmented reality.