Dubai’s crown prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has recently launched the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme.
Developed by the Dubai Future Foundation, the programme will support the future economy by creating, testing and adopting robotics and automation technologies in various key economic sectors through a comprehensive governance framework.
In a statement, Sheikh Hamdan, who is also the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, stated, “We have launched the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme to raise the sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to nine per cent over the next 10 years. By developing talent, supportive regulations and innovative solutions, we aim to make Dubai one of the world’s top 10 cities in robotics. It will empower national talents; innovate solutions, products and services; and develop a supporting legislative and governance system.”
There are five strategic initiatives, the first is establishing a council for robotics and automation, secondly developing an act for the use of robots, launching an academic excellence programme, and initiating an enterprise adoption programme.
In addition, there are also five focus areas including production and manufacturing, consumer services and tourism, connected mobility and logistics, extreme environments, and healthcare.
As part of the Programme, 200,000 robots will be provided over the next 10 years to increase efficiency and productivity in various sectors including services, logistics, and the industrial sector, and enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s economy.
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of equipping local talent and emerging companies with advanced tools and skills that are expected to be in high demand in the future and developing training programmes in cooperation with the government and private entities, universities, and R&D centres locally and globally.
