Connect with us

News

Meet Wabel, UAE’s robo-fireman

Published

on

Spread the love

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.

News

Abu Dhabi launches ‘Safety Patrol’ to protect homes and workplaces

Published

on

Spread the love

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has launched a new ‘Safety Patrol’ initiative aimed at raising awareness and enhancing emergency readiness across industrial, commercial, and residential facilities in the emirate.

In line with the UAE’s Year of Community, the Safety Patrol conducts on-site visits to assess safety standards, promote awareness, and provide hands-on training. The goal: to empower both individuals and institutions with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent and respond to emergencies.

The patrol offers preventive guidance, evaluates site readiness, and hosts training sessions to improve safety compliance and response efficiency. Facilities that meet prevention standards are awarded Safety Certificates, while others may receive Observation Cards as informal notices for improvements.

Adding a practical incentive, the initiative also offers Safety Vouchers, which provide discounts on safety equipment to encourage better preparedness.

Authorities say the Safety Patrol represents a proactive approach that merges public awareness with action, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s wider commitment to protecting lives, property, and community wellbeing.

Continue Reading

News

flydubai to resume daytime flights to Jordan and Lebanon from Tuesday

Published

on

Spread the love

Dubai-based airline flydubai will resume daytime flights to Jordan and Lebanon starting Tuesday, June 17, as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel across the Middle East.

The airline had warned passengers of ongoing disruptions due to congested airspace and shifting geopolitical conditions. Travellers should expect delays, cancellations, and rerouted journeys.

Flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria, however, will remain suspended until at least June 20. Services to Minsk and St. Petersburg are also expected to resume on Tuesday.

Ongoing Regional Disruptions

The update follows a tense weekend across the region, with multiple airspace closures and increased military activity prompting several airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, to modify flight routes and schedules for safety.

flydubai emphasised that safety remains its top priority and confirmed it would continue to monitor conditions closely.

What Passengers Should Do

Travellers are urged to keep their contact information updated via the “Manage Booking” section on flydubai.com and to check flight statuses regularly for the latest updates.

Continue Reading

News

UAE announces Hijri New Year holiday on Friday, June 27

Published

on

Spread the love

Public and private sector workers in the UAE can look forward to a long weekend this month, as the country marks the Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) with a one-day public holiday on Friday, June 27.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has confirmed the date for public sector employees.

Private Sector Holiday Details

Meanwhile, private sector employees across the UAE will enjoy a paid holiday on Friday, June 27, in observance of the Islamic New Year (marking the start of Hijri year 1447 AH). For those with a Friday-Sunday weekend, this translates into a fantastic three-day break, with regular work resuming on Monday, June 30.

  • Holiday Date: Friday, June 27 (paid holiday)
  • Occasion: Islamic New Year (Hijri 1447 AH)
  • Long Weekend: Employees with a Saturday/Sunday weekend will enjoy a 3-day break (June 27-29).
  • Work Resumes: Monday, June 30.

What is Hijri New Year?

The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic New Year, commemorates the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, which marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar.

While it’s a quieter occasion compared to Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, it holds spiritual significance for Muslims around the world and is recognised as an official public holiday in the UAE.


Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/