There are new arrivals on the streets of Dubai Silicon Oasis this week as the UAE’s first food delivery robots take their first orders.
After a successful trial during Expo2020, seven of the “talabot” autonomous robots will serve about 300 homes across a specific residential district for the first time.
The project is part of a three-month pilot programme by online food ordering company Talabat, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority to improve options for delivery services.
Collecting from Starbucks, Oregano and Lebanese restaurant On the Wood at Cedre Villas community centre, customers can now order robot-delivered food which typically takes up to 15 minutes to arrive.
“We have had to start small as we can’t serve all the homes and restaurants, but this is the next test outside of Expo,” said Maria Estevan, director of special projects at Talabat.
“The technology showed people were engaging with the robots but now we need to take it outside of a controlled environment.”
Fitted with radar and lidar operating systems, the delivery robots are well equipped to deal with other vehicles, kerbs and even an inquisitive stray cat.
Talabots will only operate inside a gated community within a 4.8km radius of the restaurants, but will share road space with other everyday traffic.
Customers can order via the Talabat app and track their delivery.
Stored securely inside a temperature-controlled unit, the robots can operate in all weathers and withstand the extreme summer heat of the UAE.
Once delivered, customers can open the robot to collect their order by using a unique access code.
If all goes well, it is hoped the service can be expanded and contribute to Dubai’s plan for one in four of all road trips to be autonomous by 2030.
The project is a direct result of the RTA’s Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, under the category of “Self-driving Logistical Services”, which includes ground transport and drones.
Artificial Intelligence deployed in the talabots safeguards people’s identity by blurring faces, with no facial recognition detection.
To blend in peacefully within the community, the robots are fitted with multiple inbuilt sensors and algorithms that gauge surroundings and detect barriers in their path, keeping a safe distance from toddlers and pets.
Plans to expand fleet
The robots do not belong to Talabat, but are fully insured in the unlikely event of a collision or damage to property.
“If someone accidentally hits the robot, there will be a usual insurance claim as if two cars hit each other,” said Ms Estevan.
“Our customers will get used to seeing the talabots on the streets every day.
“We are serious about scaling this up, it is not branding and we are looking at how we can optimise our fleet.
“It will cover short, medium and long distances with robots, delivery riders and drones.
“DSO has notified residents about this, and we are collaborating together for this to work.
“This will last at least three months, and then we will see.”
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
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The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The years Ramadan fell in May
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UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
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The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
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Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
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Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
