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Meet Wabel, UAE’s robo-fireman

Published

3 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

News

This new Dubai bridge will cut travel times from 12 minutes to 3

Published

5 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai motorists can expect faster access to Dubai Harbour this summer as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) prepares to open a major new bridge that will dramatically cut travel times in the area.

The new bridge is expected to significantly ease congestion around Dubai Harbour and nearby communities.

RTA says the project will reduce travel times from around 12 minutes to just three minutes, while accommodating up to 6,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

Now, nearly 90 per cent complete, the 1.5-km bridge features two lanes in each direction, providing direct entry and exit between Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Harbour.

First phase to open this month

The first phase of the bridge will open later this month, allowing traffic travelling from Sheikh Zayed Road, from both Deira and Jebel Ali directions, to access Dubai Harbour directly.

The second phase, scheduled for July, will open routes from Dubai Harbour towards Al Naseem Street, as well as connections to the intersection of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street and Al Naseem Street.

Connecting key areas

The bridge starts at Interchange 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road near the American University in Dubai and extends to Dubai Harbour Street.

The route passes through key intersections, including Al Naseem Street, Al Falak Street and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, improving connectivity across one of Dubai’s busiest coastal districts.

Once fully operational, the bridge is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and support growing demand in Dubai Harbour and surrounding residential and tourism areas.

News

Long weekend ahead: Dubai announces Hijri New Year break

Published

5 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai government employees will enjoy a public holiday on Monday, June 15, to mark the Islamic New Year (Hijri 1448 AH), authorities have confirmed.

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) announced that all government departments, entities and institutions will observe the holiday, with normal working hours resuming on Tuesday, June 16.

Three-Day weekend

As the holiday falls on a Monday, most Dubai government employees who follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend will benefit from a three-day break.

However, departments operating essential services or shift-based systems may adjust work schedules to ensure uninterrupted public services during the holiday period.

UAE-wide public holiday

The announcement follows confirmation from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which declared June 15 an official holiday for both public and private sector employees across the country.

Sharjah residents get a 4-day break

For government employees and students in Sharjah, where the official weekend runs from Friday to Sunday, the holiday creates a four-day weekend.

DGHR extended its congratulations to the UAE leadership, citizens, residents and the wider Arab and Islamic world, wishing continued prosperity, progress and stability.

Education

Dubai’s KHDA launches new councils giving parents and teachers a voice

Published

6 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Parents and teachers in Dubai will soon have a direct role in shaping the future of education, following the launch of two new advisory councils by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Building on the success of the Dubai Students Council, KHDA has announced the creation of the Dubai Parents Council and Dubai Educators Council, both set to begin work at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Giving parents and teachers a voice

Each council will consist of 15 members selected through a transparent process and will serve as a formal platform for dialogue between the education community and regulators.

The initiative attracted strong interest, with KHDA receiving 152 applications for the Parents Council and 160 applications for the Educators Council, including submissions from Emirati parents and teachers across Dubai.

Supporting Dubai’s education vision

The new councils are designed to strengthen community participation in education and support the goals of Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy.

Members will have the opportunity to share ideas, highlight challenges and contribute recommendations on key issues affecting schools and early childhood centres across the emirate.

Focus on student success

The councils are expected to discuss a range of topics, including student wellbeing, inclusion, teaching quality, parental engagement and school-community partnerships.

KHDA said the move reflects its commitment to collaborative decision-making and aims to strengthen trust between families, educators and education authorities.

By formally including parents and teachers in the conversation, Dubai is taking another step towards creating a more inclusive and responsive education system that reflects the needs of its diverse school community.