Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid celebrated Emirati enterprise and innovation on Monday as he enjoyed a glimpse into Dubai's high-tech future.
The Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai inspected self-driving devices, industrial respirators and state-of-the-art drones during a tour of Dubai Future Laboratories on Monday.
The ambitious plans for the centre of ingenuity – with a focus on aviation, energy, blockchain and entrepreneurship – were unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed last October.
He said at the time that the new labs, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation with input from major companies such as Emirates airline, would become an important centre for technological advancement.
"Our end goal is to make these labs a hub for launching future-oriented innovations that will eventually upgrade our business and service sectors," Sheikh Mohammed said.
He witnessed those bright plans taking shape during a visit with his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE had placed its faith in a knowledge-based future led by scientific and technical expertise.
He said the UAE had taken a crucial first step in its continuing journey to cement its place as a leading player on the global stage.
Harnessing Emirati talent will be at the forefront of a national effort in which there will be no boundaries to success.
"The start of the rain is a droplet and the thousand-mile journey starts with a step," Sheikh Mohammed said.
"What I have seen today is a flooding rain and thousands of miles our youth have crossed in new technological applications.
"The UAE is betting on a future based on science and technological excellence.
"The UAE is betting on the human, on his mind, on his imagination and on his determination, which knows not the impossible."
The centre comprises laboratories dedicated to the future of aviation, blockchain, energy and entrepreneurship.
The Aviation Future Lab is supported by leading aviation companies, including Emirates and plane maker Airbus, and will support scientific research and engineering projects.
It will help to develop solutions to major challenges facing the industry, such as reducing carbon emissions.
The Blockchain Future Lab will harness rapidly developing technology such as artificial intelligence, and provide new ideas and help to turn them into a reality.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will be heavily involved in the Energy Future Lab, which will have a sharp focus on renewables and improving digital services.
The Entrepreneurship Future Lab, with a variety of meeting and conference rooms, will provide a platform for start-up businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs operating in the technology sector.
It will help them to obtain business licences more easily.
