Surveillance technology, similar to facial recognition software used to track criminals in Moscow, is monitoring visitor numbers at the Russia's Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion.
Software from NtechLab uses information from existing cameras at the Russia pavilion to deliver visitor numbers, their age and gender.
The data is anonymous and will only be used to update pavilion organisers on footfall during Expo and the need for security in busier areas.
Video analytics help staff monitor Covid-19 guidelines, but in Russia the technology is used on a wider scale to combat crime and find missing people.
“This technology works well already in Moscow to detect criminals and help police find missing people,” said Andemir Bizhoev, regional sales director for NTechLab.
“It can evaluate an individual’s pattern of behaviour by identifying where they are going most frequently.
“If the authorities have created a watchlist of suspects with photographs, the system can recognise certain features with a match.
“When police forensics need to build an investigation, this kind of analysis is very useful as it can recognise individuals.”
The technology allows real-time, high-precision facial recognition in the video stream and compares results with police databases.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, some 5,000 crimes were solved in Moscow using a video analytics system equipped with face recognition in 2020.
Facial recognition uses biometrics to map facial features from a photograph or video, which is then compared with a database of known faces to find a match.
Some banks have adopted the technology to allow new customers to open accounts remotely, without having to visit a bank for identification.
In the UAE, one of the first businesses to embrace the technology was Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), allowing new customers to open accounts remotely and digitally with their face as verification via their smartphone camera.
NtechLab software can extract certain detail like age, gender, facial hair or other identifying features like glasses, but it can struggle to identify individuals wearing a protective facemask, Mr Bizhoev said.
No personal data is stored from visitors to the Russia pavilion, which is designed to resemble a traditional matryoshka wooden stacking doll.
Visitors to the third floor can see a giant brain, surrounded by an interactive light show.
“Such is the nature of our advanced video analytics platform that when working with face features it is impossible to restore the original image of the face,” said Mr Bizhoev.
“The systems can also be configured so data is not stored and only reports are saved.
“This ensures compliance with personal data and privacy legislation.”
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Trippier bio
Date of birth September 19, 1990
Place of birth Bury, United Kingdom
Age 26
Height 1.74 metres
Nationality England
Position Right-back
Foot Right
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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