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Meet Wabel, UAE’s robo-fireman

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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.

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UAE launches world’s first AI-powered judicial platform

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The UAE has unveiled what it says is the world’s first fully integrated AI-powered judicial platform, marking a major step in the country’s drive to modernise its justice system through artificial intelligence.

The platform is designed to help judges and legal professionals work more efficiently by analysing case files, searching laws and court precedents, and generating legal insights. Officials stressed that AI will not replace judges, with all final rulings remaining under human oversight.

Innovation will make justice faster

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, described the launch as another global achievement for the country.

In a post on X, Sheikh Mansour said the platform reflects the UAE’s belief that innovation can create a faster and more efficient justice system while strengthening the country’s position as a global leader in government and judicial excellence.

What the AI platform can do

The system integrates AI across several stages of judicial proceedings, including:

  • Analysing case files and legal documents.
  • Searching legislation and regulations.
  • Retrieving and comparing court precedents.
  • Generating legal reports and recommendations.
  • Assisting with drafting legal documents.
  • Speeding up case processing.

Officials said the technology is intended to support judicial decision-making, not replace it.

Combining AI-powered functions

While courts in several countries already use AI for tasks such as legal research and case management, the UAE says this is the first platform to combine multiple AI-powered judicial functions into one integrated system.

The initiative is expected to:

  • Reduce litigation times.
  • Improve court efficiency.
  • Cut administrative workloads.
  • Strengthen investor confidence.
  • Enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness.

Safeguards remain in place

Officials said protecting judicial independence remains a priority.

The platform has been developed with safeguards around data privacy, cybersecurity, transparency and accountability, with judges retaining full authority over every final decision.

The launch builds on the UAE’s broader digital transformation of the justice sector, which has already introduced remote court hearings, digital litigation services and AI-powered legal assistance.

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Salary day scams on the rise, Abu Dhabi Police warn

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Abu Dhabi Police have warned residents to stay alert as online fraud and financial scams tend to increase during the salary payment period.

Authorities said fraudsters are taking advantage of payday by using fake advertisements, phishing links and fraudulent offers to steal money and personal information.

What to watch out for

According to police, scammers are posing as legitimate businesses and organisations to trick victims through:

  • Fake property rental and sale listings.
  • Bogus residency and visa services.
  • Fraudulent job and labour recruitment offers.
  • Fake insurance products.
  • False advertisements for vehicles allegedly seized by Abu Dhabi Customs.
  • Fake investment opportunities.
  • Counterfeit event tickets.
  • Websites impersonating government agencies and well-known organisations.
  • Requests to download remote access apps.
  • Demands for advance payments or deposits for goods, services, training courses or fake certificates.

How to stay safe

Abu Dhabi Police urged residents to:

  • Never share bank account details, passwords or one-time passwords (OTPs).
  • Avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to unsolicited offers.
  • Verify sellers before transferring money or paying deposits.
  • Use only official websites and mobile apps for government services.

Residents who suspect they have been targeted by fraud are encouraged to report incidents through the Aman service.

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Buying medicines online? UAE issues urgent warning over unapproved drugs

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The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has warned residents to be cautious of misleading online advertisements promoting unapproved medicines, saying fake health claims on websites and social media could put lives at risk.

The warning comes as the regulator announced action against 71 online sources found to be marketing or selling unauthorised peptide-based products, many of which were promoted as weight-loss treatments.

Beware of these misleading claims

According to EDE, illegal sellers are increasingly using professional-looking advertisements and social media campaigns to lure buyers with promises such as:

  • “Miracle cure for every illness”
  • “100% natural and completely safe”
  • “Limited stock available”
  • “Thousands of satisfied customers”

The authority warned that these claims are designed to persuade consumers to buy medicines from unlicensed sources.

“One click could cost you your health—or even your life,” EDE cautioned.

Buy medicines only from licensed stores

Residents are urged to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised healthcare providers and to ensure products are officially approved before use.

The regulator said medicines sold through unofficial online platforms may be counterfeit, substandard or unregistered, posing serious health risks.

Fake medicines a major concern

Citing World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, EDE said one in 10 medicines in some markets may be counterfeit or of poor quality.

It also warned that more than 90% of medicines sold through unauthorised online sources could be illegal or fail to meet regulatory standards.

Counterfeit medicines may contain harmful ingredients, incorrect dosages or expired substances, making them ineffective—or even dangerous.

Unapproved weight-loss drug

EDE also warned against the growing online promotion of peptide-based weight-loss injections that have not been approved in the UAE.

Among them is Retatrutide, an experimental drug that remains under clinical investigation and is not authorised for sale or medical use in the country.

Authorities monitoring online platforms

Fares Al Mazmi, Director of the Inspection and Control Department at EDE, said the authority is continuously monitoring websites and social media accounts promoting illegal medicines.

Working with other government agencies, EDE is blocking offending accounts, investigating violations and taking legal action against those responsible.

The regulator urged consumers to verify that medicines are officially registered before purchasing, stressing that buying from authorised sources remains the safest way to protect their health.

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