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Meet Wabel, UAE’s robo-fireman
FFBOTS, the Jebel Ali Industrial Area-based Emirati firm, has launched the first locally-made firefighting robot of its kind in the Middle East, with world-class technical specifications and operational capabilities.
Called Wabel, which means rain, the robot provides a qualitative addition to firefighting departments and their efforts to reach critical but difficult areas or when it comes to dangerous physically-demanding tasks that may compromise their safety.
The development comes less than two weeks after a Emirati fighter died in a post-fire tragic incident in Al Aweer, Dubai. Sgt Omar Khalifa Al Ketbi, 29, from Dubai Civil Defence, lost his life in the line of duty when a slab fell on him during cooling down operations after a fire broke out at the Al Kabayel Discount Centre.
In 2016, Jasim Al Beloushi died while responding to a situation at the Dubai International Airport following the emergency landing of Emirates Airline flight EK521. Al Beloushi and his colleagues saved all passengers but had to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
“Since its inception, the company has sought to locally manufacture, design and assemble robotics technologies, with a focus on attracting local and international competencies and expertise, inspired by its vision and the passion of the founding-team,” said Mohammed Islam, a robotics expert and CEO of FFBOTS.
“The start has been made from the UAE with a joint Emirati-Saudi investment. We intend to go global, while leveraging artificial intelligence to a maximum … this is especially the case in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, where giant projects and factories, free zones, warehouses, tall residential towers and other sensitive areas are spread,” he added.
Mohammed Islam indicated that the robot complements rather than annuls the role of civil defence, by providing a qualitative addition to its efforts in fighting fires and preserving lives and property, especially when fires involve high-risk situations, such as proximity to oil and gas reservoirs and highly flammable materials that cannot be approached.
Technical Specifications
- Wabel has multiple high-calibre features. Pending the arrival of civil defence personnel, it helps controllers, especially in critical places, to immediately use it remotely and start firefighting operations, benefitting from a powerful flow rate of 8,000 LPM, a range of 100 meters, and a height of 50 meters.
- The robot is controlled wirelessly by a control station with a response range of up to 1,000 meters.
- It is equipped with 4-hose-inlets and a GPS build routing and maps for robot location and facilitations of navigation.
- The robot uses foam and water with a flow rate of 8,000 LPM. It is equipped with six smart cameras covering four directions, making it the firefighter’s eye from the heart of the event.
- The robot is also equipped with front-end water sprinklers to cool the surface in front of the robot and vertical water sprinklers to create a water umbrella to cool the robot from above.
- Wabel can climb stairs up to 30 degrees, and weights about a ton. It is provided with strong front bumpers.
- The robot is also equipped with a dedicated camera for extinguisher target direction and a back camera to facilitate movement, in addition to an inbound audio channel to enable the controller to hear sounds around the robot;
- It has 15 temperature-sensing points. The robot’s powerful headlights enable control officers to see clearly during heavy smoke. An audible siren helps locate the robot, while also alerting others in smoky or low-visibility areas and warning residents of a fire.
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has clarified six situations in which employees may not receive compensation for workplace injuries or occupational diseases.
The rules are part of the country’s occupational health and safety framework, which aims to reduce workplace accidents while ensuring employers and employees follow safety standards.
When compensation can be denied
According to MoHRE, employees may lose their right to compensation if they:
- Intentionally injure themselves.
- Are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances at the time of the incident.
- Deliberately ignore clearly displayed workplace safety instructions.
- Cause the injury through intentional misconduct.
- Refuse, without a valid reason, to undergo a medical examination or follow prescribed treatment.
- Are found by authorities to have intentionally violated workplace safety regulations.
Employer responsibilities
Under UAE labour laws, employers must provide a safe workplace by:
- Supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge.
- Training employees on workplace safety.
- Conducting health checks where required.
- Keeping records of workplace injuries and occupational diseases.
- Reporting workplace accidents to the relevant medical and police authorities.
Employers are also required to investigate workplace incidents and maintain health records for employees exposed to occupational risks.
Compensation rules
Employers must cover medical treatment costs for work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
Compensation is calculated based on the employee’s latest basic salary and should be paid within 10 days of the medical report determining the level of disability.
If a workplace injury results in permanent disability or death, compensation is paid according to UAE labour regulations, with the final assessment made by a specialised medical committee.
Importantly, employers cannot terminate an injured employee’s contract until all legal entitlements have been settled.
What counts as a work injury?
A work injury includes accidents that happen while performing job duties, as well as certain accidents during direct travel to or from work. Occupational diseases linked to an employee’s job are also covered under UAE law.
Focus on prevention
MoHRE says the regulations are designed to balance employee protection with personal responsibility. While workers are protected when injuries occur during the course of employment, they are also expected to follow workplace safety rules.
The ministry continues to inspect private-sector companies to ensure compliance, helping create safer and healthier workplaces across the UAE.
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