News

Meet Wabel, UAE’s robo-fireman

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

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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.

Related Topics:#UAE AI blaze Civil Defence death Dubai fire firefighter firemen robot safety technology

Staff Reporter

Health

No tuition fees, just talent: New scholarship programme offers 100% tuition fee waiver

Published

18 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Michael Gomes

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In a major boost for aspiring medical students, especially those facing financial challenges, Aster DM Healthcare has launched a new scholarship programme offering 100% tuition fee waivers for MBBS, BSc Nursing, and BPharm courses. Designed to support 25 deserving students every year, the initiative opens doors to high-quality medical education at no cost, removing a key financial barrier for many talented individuals across India and the UAE

The Dr. Moopen’s Legacy Scholarship & Fellowships Programme, announced by Padma Shri Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, is the first of its kind from a private medical college in Kerala, and promises to transform access to healthcare education in underserved regions.

“No capable student should have to give up on a dream of becoming a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist because they cannot afford it,” said Dr. Moopen. “This initiative is our commitment to changing that.”

Scholarship Details:

5 MBBS students will be selected based entirely on academic merit, including NEET rankings.
10 BSc Nursing and 10 BPharm students will be chosen based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.
The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition fees.
Over five years, 125 students are expected to benefit, with a financial commitment exceeding INR 3 crore annually.

Applications open on July 28, 2025, and detailed eligibility guidelines are available at www.dmscholarship.in.

News

UAE tightens social media advertising rules with new Mu’lin permit

Published

19 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The UAE Media Council has launched Mu’lin, a new permit now required for individuals conducting advertising activities on social media platforms, whether for financial gain or otherwise.

The move is part of a broader strategy to modernise media regulations, enhance content quality, and establish the UAE as a leading hub for digital content creation and advertising.

According to the council, the Mu’lin permit aims to create a more transparent and professional digital media environment by defining clear guidelines for advertising practices, while protecting the rights of audiences, advertisers, and content creators alike.

“Mu’lin is a pivotal step in strengthening the regulatory framework for online advertising,” said Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council. “It reinforces our vision of building a responsible and dynamic media model aligned with digital transformation and international best practices.”

Regulating the creator economy

The new permit is intended to empower content creators, boost investor confidence, and attract global talent by providing a flexible yet clear regulatory framework. It also supports the UAE’s broader ambitions to build a sustainable, innovation-driven media economy.

Al Shehhi highlighted that the initiative will contribute to increasing trust in digital content, particularly in advertising, which is a fast-growing segment of the UAE’s creative economy.

Supporting quality and compliance

Maitha Majid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Strategy and Media Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, noted that the Mu’lin permit is also designed to improve the overall quality of advertisements on social platforms, enabling responsible content creation while setting standards for professionalism.

The announcement follows the council’s issuance of over 2,500 media licences in the first half of 2025, reflecting the strong growth of the media and content creation sector in the UAE.

News

UAE road upgrade: Dh750 million Emirates Road expansion to cut Dubai–Sharjah travel time by 45 per cent

Published

20 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Michael Gomes

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A major road upgrade is set to transform daily commutes between Dubai and the northern emirates, with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announcing a Dh750 million expansion of Emirates Road, one of the UAE’s most vital federal highways.

The Emirates Road Enhancement Project, scheduled to begin in September, will widen a 25-km stretch between Al Badee Interchange in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain from three to five lanes in each direction. The two-year project aims to reduce travel times by up to 45 per cent and alleviate congestion for motorists travelling between Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.

According to the ministry, the expansion will increase the road’s vehicle capacity by 65 per cent, from 5,400 to 9,000 vehicles per hour in each direction, targeting one of the UAE’s most heavily congested corridors.

As part of the overhaul, six new directional bridges will be constructed at Interchange No. 7, covering a total length of 12.6km. These bridges alone are designed to handle up to 13,200 vehicles per hour. Additionally, the project will include 3.4km of new collector roads on both sides of Emirates Road, improving traffic flow and access to nearby areas.

Officials say the expansion will deliver a significant boost to the UAE’s transport infrastructure and support the country’s broader mobility goals.

“This upgrade will not only ease daily traffic bottlenecks but also improve road safety and connectivity across the northern emirates,” the ministry said in a statement.

Once complete, the enhanced Emirates Road is expected to offer smoother, faster, and safer travel for thousands of daily commuters.