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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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Lost in Dubai, found in Pakistan: YouTuber reclaims AirPods after one-year hunt

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In one of the more bizarre tales of tech tracking and international travel, British YouTuber Miles Routledge, better known online as Lord Miles, has finally recovered a pair of stolen AirPods, a full year after losing them in a Dubai hotel.

The 24-year-old content creator, who’s known for his offbeat adventures, announced on social media that he had travelled to Pakistan to reclaim the missing earbuds, which he first misplaced during a 2023 stay in Dubai.

From Dubai to Jhelum

It all started when Routledge took to social media to share his frustrating experience; his AirPods were stolen while he was waiting for a visa in Dubai. According to him, the earbuds vanished shortly after housekeeping staff entered his hotel room. Using Apple’s “Find My” app, he began tracking the missing device, which eventually led him to a rather unexpected location: near the “2nd Wife Restaurant” in Jhelum, Pakistan.

“They got stolen from my hotel in Dubai and made their way to Pakistan,” he posted on social media. 

“I enabled Lost Mode and kept playing the ‘Find Me’ sound whenever they were in use. I’m going to get a police officer, storm the area, get back my AirPods, and film it all.”

Police Get Involved

After his post went viral, Pakistan’s Jhelum Police took notice. A team was assembled to trace the AirPods, eventually leading to a local man who admitted to having them, but claimed he bought the device in Dubai, unaware they were stolen.

Routledge eventually landed in Pakistan and worked with local authorities to retrieve the AirPods. “An announcement from the Pakistan Jhelum Police Chief, the Inspector General and Lord Miles regarding the stolen AirPods. I have my AirPods back after 1 year,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), alongside photos of the retrieval.

Social Media Buzz

The saga has captivated social media users across platforms, with many amused by the lengths the YouTuber went to recover a gadget that retails for less than Dh1,000. Still, for Routledge, it was about the principle more than the price tag.

Routledge thanked the local police for their efforts. He was also treated to lunch at a restaurant, where he was surrounded by media. “There were 20 cameramen and journalists from every Pakistani news channel, turns out this is a national news story. I’ve been recognised several times by strangers,” he wrote in another tweet. 

(Inputs: NDTV, HT)

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UAE Central Bank issues gold and silver coins to honour founding fathers

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The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has released limited-edition commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the “Zayed and Rashid” campaign, celebrating the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the visionary leaders who laid the foundation of the UAE.

This special issuance aims to honour the founding fathers, reinforce national identity, and instill a sense of loyalty and pride in future generations.

Coin Details:

Gold Coin

  • Weight: 40 grams
  • Diameter: 40 mm
  • Obverse: Portrait of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid
  • Reverse: UAE national emblem with “Central Bank of the UAE” in Arabic and English
  • Availability: Exclusively at the Central Bank headquarters in Abu Dhabi

Silver Coin

  • Weight: 50 grams
  • Diameter: 50 mm
  • Obverse: Portrait of the two leaders
  • Reverse: UAE national emblem, name of the Central Bank in Arabic and English, and the phrase “Commemorative Coin” in Arabic
  • Availability: Online via the Central Bank’s website

Honouring a national legacy

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, said: “We proudly announce the issuance of these commemorative coins, which embody the meanings of loyalty and belonging to the national legacy left by the founding leaders.

This issuance marks the Zayed and Rashid campaign, aiming to solidify the values of unity and development upon which our nation was founded, and to highlight inspiring milestones in their journeys.”

Balama added that the initiative underscores the Central Bank’s commitment to preserving UAE history and ensuring that the values of the nation’s founders are passed on to future generations.

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Dubai launches Dh650 million Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary upgrade 

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In a major push for urban sustainability and eco-tourism, Dubai Municipality has unveiled a Dh650 million development project to transform the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, to attract 250,000 to 300,000 visitors annually,  a six-fold increase from current numbers.

The announcement, made on Monday, confirms that the first phase of the project has been awarded and will be completed by the end of 2026.

A sanctuary at the heart of the city

Nestled just minutes from Dubai’s city centre, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the region’s most important wetland reserves. It is internationally recognised as a BirdLife International Important Bird Area (IBA). It is home to more than 450 species of flora and fauna, including migratory birds, marine life, and rare vegetation.

Popular observation spots include:

  • Flamingo Hide – for iconic views of greater flamingos
  • Mangrove Hide – ideal for spotting grey herons, spoonbills, kingfishers, and even ospreys

First phase: Expanding ecosystems and blue spaces

Phase one of the development focuses on expanding and enhancing the sanctuary’s natural environment:

  • 144% increase in water body area, growing to 74 hectares
  • 10 hectares of new mudflats (salt flats) to support migratory birds
  • 60% rise in carbon dioxide absorption, improving environmental resilience

What’s next in phase two?

The second phase will introduce more green spaces, native vegetation, and enhanced habitats to attract additional wildlife and further boost biodiversity. The plan also includes:

  • Upgraded walkways and bird hides
  • New educational signage and visitor infrastructure
  • A commitment to engaging, sustainable exploration for families, tourists, and students

Why it matters

This ambitious project reflects Dubai’s broader commitment to sustainability, conservation, and eco-education, making Ras Al Khor not just a refuge for wildlife but a living classroom and green escape within the city.

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