Meet the robots that can 'see, hear and feel' at Gitex 2021 in Dubai


Georgia Tolley
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Robots that learn what needs doing while cleaning your house and understand verbal commands will be commercially available as soon as next year, says the manufacturer.

German company Neura Robotics – which is exhibiting at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition in Dubai for the first time – says it has improved the scope of industrial robots.

Neura Robotics has robots that can be used in a multitude of settings – from the office to shops and healthcare clinics.

Now it has created a housekeeper robot installed with artificial intelligence, said David Reger, Neura Robotics founder and chief executive.

Our robots have cognitive abilities, which means they hear, they see, they feel, and they have a brain which thinks
David Reger,
Neura Robotics

“The problem we had until now was not the ability of a robot or of AI, it was more about the pricing issue – we needed somehow to get a price down so everyone can afford it,” Mr Reger said at Gitex.

“So that's exactly what we did. We developed something which we will present very soon, which is actually affordable to have in your home, and that's only possible through AI.”

So far, home robots have only proven useful for simple tasks.

Amazon's Alexa can search the web for facts, play music or tell a pre-programmed joke; Roomba's can vacuum your house; and Google Nest automatically controls the heat, light and locks in your home.

Neura Robotics say their robots are “chalk and cheese” compared to these single-function bots.

“Our robots have cognitive abilities, which means they hear, they see, they feel, and they have a brain which thinks,” said Mr Reger.

“If it sees dishes which are dirty, it will clean them autonomously.

“Before, you had to uniquely programme a robot to get things done. Now with the new kind of robot which we offer, it is actually AI-inclusive.

"This means, they think and learn and understand things like humans do.”

In practical terms, this means a person will not have to instruct the robot to wash clothes and load the dishwasher, because it will realise what needs to be done without the need for human interaction.

However, should you wish to speak to the robot, it will respond to verbal commands, as illustrated by MAiRA, the AI-powered robot on display at the Neura Robotics stand at Gitex.

MAiRA – which stands for multi-sensing intelligent robotic assistant – has object recognition skills and can be controlled through gestures or words.

On Sunday, a constant crowd of Gitex visitors watched as MAiRA's dexterous, hinged arm and pincer-shaped hand played noughts and crosses with visitors, picked up canisters of snacks when asked, and sorted grey pipes from black.

Mr Reger described this invention as a “cobot”, because it can work collaboratively alongside humans, and do high precision, heavy-duty or monotonous tasks with minimal oversight.

The robots are also programmed not to harm humans. They are fitted with a patented 360-degree system of sensors that can distinguish people from other objects and instruct the robot to change direction, slow down or stop.

“Our robot is actually the first robot in the world to understand what is a human, and that's actually a very big advantage when it comes to safety,” Mr Reger said.

“Before, the robot could collide with a human. Our robots will never hurt a human and that's actually one of the most important rules to get robots into your home.

“And that's what we have accomplished.”

Day One at GITEX – in pictures

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Price, base: Dh1.2 million

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm

Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm

Fuel economy, combined:  12.3L / 100km (estimate)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Results

4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

WORLD CUP FINAL

England v South Africa

Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

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UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')

Australia (15-1): Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui; Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson.

Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
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  • Financial well-being incentives 
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

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Updated: October 18, 2021, 9:01 AM`