Gitex 2022 is packed with innovation and new technology, including a host of robots to be used on an industrial scale.
While some took on a more humanoid form, others were built with service in mind and to take the manual labour out of menial tasks.
Here are the top five robots to look out for during the five-day exhibition that runs until Friday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Swiss-Mile surveillance robot
This four-legged friend can take on even the most rugged of terrain at speeds of up to 20 kilometres per hour.
It can stand on two legs in humanoid mode and can be used commercially in surveillance in large-scale inspections of buildings, or search and rescue.
It can carry up to 100kg and can be used for last-mile delivery. It is also waterproof up to a metre depth with a battery life of up to 10 hours. The robot costs about $200,000.
“It is perfect in a situation where you would not want to send a human, such as a building on fire or that is unstable,” said Marko Bjelonic, from Zurich-based Swiss-Mile.
“We are working on autonomy so it can climb anywhere and go from A to B without being told where to go.”
Mwafeq Robot, by Dewa
Similar to the Swiss Mile robot, Dewa uses its four-legged Spot Robots to detect faults and test connection points of high-voltage cables.
It can also be used safely to detect leakage in water pipes, conduct security and monitoring patrols and ensure construction works are aligned in hard-to-reach areas.
Specifications included multiple-angle cameras.
Ameca humanoid
Described as a platform of the future, Ameca is the world’s most advanced human-shaped robot representing the forefront of human-robotics technology.
On display in the Etisalat exhibition of Gitex, the android-type machine is designed specifically as a platform for development into future robotics technology.
Ameca is the perfect humanoid platform for human-robot interaction and mimics human responses, using Artificial Intelligence to learn.
Ottobot by Ottonomy
This delivery robot has proved a hit at airports in Cincinnati and Rome, where it delivers food and duty-free to waiting passengers.
Businesses can hire delivery robots with a subscription and custom-build them to add refrigeration or heating to keep food and beverage at the desired temperature.
The fully autonomous robots can deliver groceries and packages to kerbside, last mile and even indoor environments.
BHS technology robot microscope
A specially developed head-mounted display (HMD) allows a surgeon to interact with a robot arm that carries a microscope to allow more precision and speed during complex surgery.
The RoboticScope and HMD detect the head gestures of the surgeon and control the robot camera accordingly.
The surgeon has two digital micro displays right in front of their eyes, presenting a real-time 3D image of the operational field, while sensors in the HMD interpret head movements of the surgeons; robotic arm and camera head then carry out the corresponding movements with high precision.
It speeds up surgery and allows for a better patient and doctor experience.
Day one at Gitex – in pictures
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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Dunki
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
The Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.