Sheikh Hamdan launches robotics and automation programme for Dubai

A new robotics and automation programme has been launched in Dubai to support the development of various vital and future-oriented sectors in the emirate.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, announced the launch of the initiative.

The ‘Dubai Robotics and Automation (R&A) Programme’ aims to boost the development, testing and adoption of R&A and is based on three pillars – governance, support for R&D and adoption and utilisation of technologies.

As a part of the initiative, 200,000 robots will be provided over the next 10 years to increase productivity and efficiency across various sectors including services, logistics, and the industrial space.

The programme will focus on advancing R&D in five areas, including production and manufacturing; consumer services and tourism; healthcare; connected mobility and logistics; and extreme environments. Led by the Dubai Future Foundation, the programme will features five key initiatives.

.@HamdanMohammed: “We seek to make #Dubai one of the world’s top 10 cities in R&A by adopting and developing advanced robotics technologies, empowering national talent, and generating innovative new solutions, products, and services” pic.twitter.com/hbs9ar1WJX

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 21, 2022

Sheikh Hamdan said: “The Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme aims to increase the sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to 9 per cent within 10 years.”

Led by the Dubai Future Foundation, the #Dubai Robotics and Automation Program, which features five key initiatives, will focus on accelerating research and development in five areas. pic.twitter.com/5uGJ1SVGxT

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 21, 2022

The Dubai  Crown Prince of Dubai also directed the allocation of laboratories to develop R&A technologies, support research, testing, development, experimentation, and integration activities, official news agency WAM reported. Sheikh Hamdan also called on the emirate’s government and private sectors to strengthen cooperation with local and international research and academic institutions to develop a regulatory and legal environment that underpins R&A in Dubai, the statement said.

Earlier this month, Sheikh Hamdan also launched an research and development (R&D) programme in the emirate.

Read: Sheikh Hamdan launches Dubai’s R&D programme

In July, the emirate established the higher committee for future technology and digital economy, which aims to help shape the future of artificial intelligence by investing in the metaverse and by establishing partnerships to boost Dubai’s digital economy.

Read: Sheikh Hamdan to chair Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy