RTA Deploys AI Robot to Revolutionise Metro Rail Inspections
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a cutting-edge AI-powered robotic system, marking a major leap in metro maintenance and positioning the city at the forefront of smart infrastructure.
The new Automated Rail Infrastructure Inspection System (ARIIS) promises to transform how the Dubai Metro is maintained—boosting safety, efficiency, and reliability without disrupting operations.
Developed in collaboration with Keolis MHI and Future Maintenance Technologies (FMT), ARIIS is a fully autonomous robotic platform equipped with LiDAR sensors, lasers, and 3D cameras. It conducts real-time inspections of rail tracks and critical infrastructure, significantly reducing the need for manual interventions.
Abdul Mohsin Kalbat, CEO of RTA's Rail Agency, described the rollout as a 'significant leap' in ensuring Dubai Metro remains among the safest and most advanced transit networks in the world.
The system slashes inspection time by up to 75% and reduces manual inspection work by 70%, cutting man-hours from 2,400 to just 700. By enabling more frequent and accurate checks, ARIIS enhances operational efficiency and supports proactive, data-driven maintenance.
FMT CEO Loic Ayoul praised the collaboration, noting that ARIIS supports Dubai's Smart City goals by delivering smarter diagnostics, extending infrastructure lifespan, and improving sustainability.
With the ability to cut maintenance costs by up to 25% and improve resource allocation by 40%, ARIIS exemplifies Dubai's commitment to innovation in public transport. As David Franks, Managing Director of Keolis MHI, noted, 'It's a game-changer for rail infrastructure management in Dubai.'
The introduction of ARIIS is a strategic step toward future-ready urban mobility, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global leader in intelligent transportation solutions.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Keolis MHI marks World Blood Donor Day with impactful donation drive
Ahead of World Blood Donor Day, observed annually today, Keolis MHI, a leading transportation company, proudly partnered with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to host a blood donation drive. This initiative highlights Keolis MHI's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and aligns with the UAE's national vision of becoming a global leader in community engagement and sustainable development. The 2025 World Blood Donor Day campaign, " Give blood, give hope: together we save lives," highlights the life-saving power of community through blood donation, inspiring new and existing donors with real stories. Keolis MHI's blood donation campaign, held in collaboration with the DHA, reflects the company's values of Imagine, Care, Commit. Employees eagerly participated, demonstrating Keolis MHI's strong belief in how individual actions can significantly boost community well-being. "At Keolis MHI, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the communities we serve," said Adel Al Awadhi, marketing and communications director at Keolis MHI. "Blood donation is a critical act that can save lives, and we were honored to partner with the DHA to ensure a readily available blood supply for those in need. This drive reflected our core values of community engagement and social responsibility." The campaign also served as a platform to raise awareness about the urgent need for blood transfusions across a variety of medical scenarios, from emergency surgeries to chronic treatments. By encouraging a culture of voluntary donation, Keolis MHI contributed to building a more resilient and responsive healthcare system for the UAE. Keolis MHI's involvement went beyond simply organising an event, it demonstrated a strategic alignment with the UAE's CSR agenda and the national drive to promote public health and sustainable community development. "Blood donation offers a deeply personal reward, with donors experiencing the satisfaction of potentially saving someone and strengthening their sense of purpose," Al Awadhi explained. "It also reinforces social responsibility and allows individuals to witness the impact of collective action firsthand." By actively promoting employee participation and promoting the value of giving back, Keolis MHI reinforced its position as a responsible corporate citizen. The initiative not only contributed to public health but also helped build stronger emotional ties within the company and the wider community. The UAE government has consistently championed CSR principles, encouraging both public and private sectors to integrate social responsibility into the core of their operations. In alignment with this national vision, and with 2025 designated as the Year of Community, Keolis MHI continues to lead by example through impactful initiatives that contribute to the country's economic, social, and environmental development. "Keolis MHI is committed to being a catalyst for positive change in the UAE," Al Awadhi added. "By actively engaging in initiatives like the blood donation drive, we align ourselves with the UAE's vision of establishing the country as a global leader in corporate social responsibility. Our participation reflects our belief in the power of collective action to create a lasting impact and contribute to the betterment of society."
Gulf Today
12 hours ago
- Gulf Today
55 per cent of Dubai's RTA staff-use vehicles now eco-friendly
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully converted 55% of its staff-use vehicle fleet into environmentally friendly models, with 260 now operating as eco-friendly vehicles. This achievement positions RTA at the forefront of sustainable mobility and underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship and enhancing the efficiency of transport services across the emirate. These results reflect RTA's strong commitment to implementing the directives of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, which call on government entities in the Emirate to increase the share of hybrid and environmentally friendly vehicles in their fleets. As a result, RTA has surpassed the 2030 target, which was set at 30%. Commenting on the achievement, Fatima Al Mandoos, Director of Administrative Services at the Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector of RTA, said: 'Through this initiative, RTA reaffirms its strategic commitment to reducing carbon emissions and advancing environmental sustainability, in line with the broader vision of Dubai and the UAE to transition towards a green economy. This step highlights RTA's dedication to supporting efforts to develop a sustainable transport sector and promote the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles across public and private fleets in the Emirate, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.' Al Mandoos added: 'This transition supports RTA's efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, guided by three key pillars: public transport, RTA-owned buildings and facilities, and waste management. The Authority continues to implement a range of measures to improve transparency and efficiency in fleet management, including the upgrade of vehicle tracking systems and the adoption of advanced technologies for the maintenance and operation of hybrid vehicles.' She concluded: 'RTA has developed a long-term plan to support the transition to environmentally friendly vehicles through to 2030, contributing to improved air quality and reinforcing Dubai's vision of becoming a sustainable city. RTA also encourages its employees to adopt hybrid vehicles and actively raises awareness about the importance of minimising environmental impact; in addition to organising training sessions to educate staff on the efficient operation of hybrid vehicles and best practices for conserving energy.' WAM
Arabian Business
17 hours ago
- Arabian Business
UAE holiday dates; Dubai Metro Blue Line guide; Al Maktoum International Airport real estate boost – 10 things you missed this week
Workers across the UAE are already looking forward to their next holidays and planning vacations around expected dates. Meanwhile, a major update has been announced for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, Al Maktoum International Airport gives a boost to the real estate sector and Abu Dhabi and Ajman revealed new property rules. Catch up on 10 of the biggest stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors. UAE holidays 2025: When is the next long weekend? Expected dates revealed The UAE will observe at least 12 public holidays in 2025, with residents having just concluded the Eid Al Adha break. A future long weekend of the year is expected to fall on Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH). The break is expected to fall on Friday, September 5, creating a three-day long weekend for residents. The date corresponds to Rabi' Al Awwal 12 in the Islamic calendar, though it may change depending on whether Islamic months contain 29 or 30 days. Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed lays foundation stone for 30km Metro Blue Line Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, marking a milestone in the expansion of the city's public transportation network. The new line will span 30 kilometres and comprise 14 stations, transforming mobility across nine districts projected to house over one million residents according to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. 'During the laying of the foundation stone for the first station on the Dubai Metro's Blue Line, which has a total benefit valued at AED56bn, the station represents an architectural icon that will be added to Dubai's cultural icons. It will be the first station on the Blue Line, which will extend 30km, bringing the total length of Dubai's railways to 131km and 78 stations. Since its launch until the end of last year, the Dubai Metro has transported more than 2.5bn people, an average of 900,000 passengers per day. The new route will be a major addition to the emirate's transport infrastructure. We continue to develop the city… we continue to build the best city to live in the world,' Sheikh Mohammed said in an X post. How $35bn Al Maktoum International Airport expansion is driving major Dubai South real estate investment boom as property prices tipped to grow 20% The AED128bn ($35bn) expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South is fuelling a real estate boom that has major implications for the wider UAE economy, according to Betterhomes analysis. Property transactions in the area exceeded AED15bn ($4.1bn) in the first five months of 2025 and prices could increase by up to 20 per cent in the near term said analysts. Spanning 70 sq km, the new Al Maktoum Airport will feature five runways and 400 aircraft gates and is expected to accommodate more than 260m passengers annually upon completion. Emaar Properties launches digital resale platform VYOM Emaar Properties has launched VYOM, a digital resale platform set to redefine the way Emaar homes are bought and sold, helping users overcome long-standing inefficiencies such as pricing discrepancies, market opacity, and communication gaps. Purpose-built for discerning homeowners and investors, VYOM offers a seamless, end-to-end experience that is transparent and secure. It gives users complete control over the resale process, allowing them to create listings, upload property images, and manage inquiries without intermediaries. VYOM is a transformative step in Emaar's ongoing digital evolution, offering a smarter, frictionless alternative to traditional resale methods. It is also a part of the company's customer-first initiatives. Abu Dhabi announces major new real estate laws Abu Dhabi has announced major updates to real estate legislation, as part of the emirate's long-term strategy to enhance its position as a leading global hub for property investment. The changes by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) aim to create a more transparent, flexible, and sustainable legislative environment, supporting developers while safeguarding investor rights. The updated framework will empower the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) to more effectively regulate the sector, improve governance standards, and maintain a balanced relationship between stakeholders. The new laws are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of jointly owned properties, regulate all real estate-related professions, and bring clarity to contracts and operational procedures — aligning Abu Dhabi's regulatory model with global best practices. Dubai traffic to ease: RTA begins road improvements at 40 key locations for summer 2025 Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has begun traffic improvements at 40 locations across the emirate, with work scheduled between June and September 2025. The programme covers 22 streets, 9 school zones, more than 5 development areas, and internal roads in Tolerance District, Al Khawaneej 2, and Nad Al Sheba. RTA has timed the work during summer holidays to reduce disruption to traffic flow whilst maintaining safety standards at all sites. Dubai real estate: New tower sells out in three hours at new South Square development Dubai South Properties launched South Square, a residential development positioned along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road near Al Maktoum International Airport, on June 9, 2025. The S4 Tower within the project sold out completely within three hours of launch. The development responds to demand from investors and end-users attracted to the area. South Square comprises over 550 apartments across one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. The community features landscaped outdoor spaces, seed farms, walking trails, water features, a yoga deck, fitness and leisure zones, retail outlets, dining facilities, and co-working spaces. Unit prices begin at AED 1.1 million, with completion scheduled for Q4 2028. EU removes UAE from 'high-risk' money-laundering list The EU has removed the UAE from its high-risk money-laundering list. The European Commission has updated its list of high-risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes. The UAE was among eight countries removed from the list, while a further 10, including Lebanon were added to the high-risk list. Ajman issues new real estate laws Ajman has announced new rules to govern real estate service fees and fines. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of Ajman Executive Council, has issued Emiri Decree No. 9 of 2025 concerning service fees, violations, and fines applied by the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation. The Emiri Decree is part of the emirate's broader efforts to modernise the legislative environment governing the real estate sector and enhance its efficiency in line with the emirate's economic and regulatory development. Under the decree, the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation shall collect the determined service fees, detect and document violations, and collect the specified fines—without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated in any other legislation. 10 Hollywood quotes every Dubai real estate investor should live by in 2025 In Dubai's ultra-competitive real estate industry, records are broken and billions of dollars of deals are made every week. Success in the market takes more than hard work—it takes vision, negotiation skill, relentless follow-up, and the confidence to act before the market does. And sometimes, a line from the silver screen says it best. These ten Hollywood quotes aren't just memorable—they're mindset tools. Pulled from cult classics and Oscar winners, each one captures a trait Dubai's top-performing property professionals live by: strategic boldness, calculated risk, unshakable belief, and a refusal to settle for average. Whether you're closing beachfront villas, selling out off-plan towers, or expanding your investment portfolio, let these lines guide your real estate strategy in 2025—and beyond.
