Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid greeted by robot guest at Dubai gathering
The robot waved to dignitaries, ministers, investors and business leaders in video taken by Dubai Media Office on Wednesday.
The machine then strode over to greet Sheikh Mohammed and guests including Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, at the Mudaif Majlis.
The demonstration highlights the UAE's commitment to harnessing rapidly evolving technology, from drone delivery services to robot-assisted surgery in hospitals.
In January, a robot concierge was put to work at a hotel on Saadiyat Island to test how technology could take on day-to-day tasks.
The Type 1 Autodroid developed by Autogo, a division of UAE tech company Kintsugi, successfully completed the month-long trial at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
It provided an early indicator of how humanoid machines could support people at work, or take over some menial tasks.
Surgeons at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City first conducted surgery with the help of robotics in 2020.
It was used to perform a pyeloplasty on a young Emirati. The procedure was to remove a 'ureteropelvic junction obstruction' – a blockage of the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
'The instruments used in robotic surgery provide surgeons with magnified, 3D high-definition vision, more comfortable use of instruments and easier access to areas that would've been difficult to reach using conventional methods,' Dr Sarfraz Ahmad, who led the team at SSMC, said at the time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Riyadh launches non-paid managed parking in residential neighborhoods
RIYADH — The Riyadh Parking Project has launched the first phase of its non-paid managed parking initiative in residential neighborhoods, as part of a broader plan to organize public vehicle parking and curb improper practices, including the spillover of cars from commercial areas into adjacent housing districts. This rollout follows the earlier implementation of paid parking in key commercial streets and aims to enhance parking efficiency, reduce random and unauthorized vehicle use in residential areas, and improve the urban experience. The managed parking concept in residential zones targets vehicles not belonging to residents by introducing digital residential parking permits for residents and their guests, available through the Riyadh Parking mobile app. The app is linked to the national 'Nafath' platform, enabling secure registration and access. The initial rollout covers Al-Wurud neighborhood, with plans to expand to other areas near commercial streets in future phases. The project uses advanced technology, including smart patrol vehicles equipped with automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras, to monitor parking violations both in commercial zones and surrounding neighborhoods. Launched in August 2024, the Riyadh Parking Project is one of the largest smart parking initiatives globally. It aims to regulate over 140,000 non-paid residential parking spaces and manage 24,000 paid spots in commercial districts. Phase one includes 12 zones in neighborhoods such as Al-Wurud, Al-Rahmaniyah, West Olaya, Al-Muruj, King Fahd, and Al-Sulaimaniah. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai RTA reports 28 per cent drop in Nol card machine top-ups as commuters shift to digital channels
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major shift in how commuters top up their nol cards, with digital channels now dominating and resulting in a 28 per cent drop in physical machine usage during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The move follows a series of enhancements aimed at modernising public transport payment systems and improving commuter satisfaction. These included: Deployment of new smart ticket vending and top-up machines Public awareness campaigns to encourage digital usage An increase in the minimum top-up amount at metro station sales offices and vending machines Dubai commuters board digital bandwagon Key results from H1 2025, included: 28 per cent decline in total top-up transactions via physical ticket vending machines 20 per cent increase in digital top-ups through smart machines 37 per cent drop in cash top-ups at ticket sales offices 6 per cent drop in digital transactions at sales offices, as users moved to vending machines and mobile channels 26 per cent overall decrease in top-ups at ticket sales offices 80 per cent reduction in technical breakdowns of vending machines due to decreased transaction loads The RTA says these figures highlight a successful digital transformation strategy in Dubai, aimed at enhancing convenience, reducing congestion, and cutting down operational costs related to cash handling and machine maintenance. The switch to digital channels, including the RTA website, smart ticket machines, and mobile apps, has led to fewer machine malfunctions, better service delivery, and improved accessibility for all segments of society.
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Phoenix Group earns strong 'Buy' endorsement from H.C. Wainwright
Phoenix Group PLC (ADX: PHX), an IHC portfolio company and global leader in blockchain and digital asset infrastructure, has received a reaffirmed Buy rating from US investment bank H.C. Wainwright & Co., along with a price target of AED 3.00. This recommendation stems from the company's strategic evolution beyond its traditional mining operations into high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). As of the August 4, 2025 closing price of AED 1.48, analysts estimate Phoenix Group shares have more than 102 per cent upside potential, reflecting the market's confidence in the company's diversified expansion. Titled 'Re‑Energised Sites and AI/HPC Feasibility Prime Upside; Reit. Buy,' the report highlights Phoenix's: Transition toward higher-margin self-mining operations, bolstered by growing digital asset holdings. Expanded global operational footprint, enhancing resilience and growth potential. Substantial digital asset treasury, including Bitcoin and Solana holdings exceeding US$150 million. The analysts note that Phoenix's ambitious foray into AI and HPC infrastructure positions it to capitalise on surging demand for advanced compute capabilities, creating fresh revenue streams as new operational sites come online. A key strength highlighted is Phoenix's integration within the IHC ecosystem. As an IHC portfolio company, Phoenix benefits from shared resources and strategic alignment, support that strengthens its ability to scale and innovate within the fast-moving tech landscape. 'We are delighted that H.C. Wainwright sees the significant value and enormous potential in our strategy,' said Munaf Ali, CEO and co-founder of Phoenix Group. 'This report validates our team's hard work to expand our core mining operations efficiently while boldly moving into the AI and HPC space. As an IHC portfolio company, we are committed to driving innovation and delivering superior returns for our shareholders, and this report confirms we are on the right path.' Although the report acknowledges inherent sector-specific risks, particularly the volatility of digital asset markets, it remains confident in Phoenix's strategic vision and competitive positioning. About Phoenix Group PLC Phoenix Group PLC, an IHC Portfolio Company, is a multi-billion-dollar global technology leader headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As one of the world's top ten Bitcoin miners, it operates over 500 megawatts across the UAE, U.S., Canada, Oman, and Ethiopia, running the biggest mining farm in MENA. Phoenix Group is the first crypto and blockchain conglomerate in the region to be listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).
