A robot concierge that hands out gifts and checks in guests has been put to work at a top hotel on Saadiyat Island to test how technology could take on day-to-day tasks.
The Type 1 Autodroid developed by Autogo, a division of the UAE-based tech company Kintsugi, has completed a successful month-long trial at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. It is an early indicator of how humanoid machines could support people in their daily work, or completely take over some menial tasks.
Far removed from the type of service robots depicted in Hollywood films, the machine can respond to basic commands and offer information using built-in artificial intelligence. While its performance may have been far from spectacular, the trial was considered a success, with developers claiming humanoid machines will soon become part of everyday life.
“It is very important that any robot interactions were unscripted, allowing it to learn continuously,” said Jason Lee, director of innovation at Autogo.
“On its ability, we can see it has hands for different functionality, for picking up small items, to slowly improving to picking up bigger items and perhaps venturing into the manufacturing or healthcare industry.”
Autonomous solutions
Autogo aims to create intelligent, autonomous solutions – such as robotaxis and delivery systems – that enhance productivity and transform how we live, work and move. Autodroid stands 1.73 metres tall, weighs 85kg and operates on a 360-degree rotation with built-in Lidar (light detection and ranging) to navigate obstacles.
It takes two hours to fully charge the robot, which can then run for six hours. Its developers said giving the machine legs could be the next step, although human acceptance of a fully mobile robot with the ability to think on its feet may take some getting used to.
“It is very important to understand what we are trying to do, which is not to have AI robotics take over but look into having human machine collaboration,” said Mr Lee. “We will see big changes in the next six months to a year.
“Mass production of these robots is one of the challenges we are looking at and trying to see how we can bring down the costs. This will allow them to be used domestically in homes and public places.”
Companies such as Boston Dynamics and Tesla have their own robots in production, which use similar technology.
Musk machine
Elon Musk unveiled the latest prototype of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 3, claiming the machine will be able complete most household chores within the next two years. The machine has 22 degrees of freedom in its hands, and tactile sensors to improve precision and pressure.
Tesla said the machine has become a fully trained masseuse, opening up the potential for similar robots to be used in social care. The latest model can navigate tight spaces, climb stairs and is 60 per cent faster than previous versions.
It is an example of the rapid rise of robot development and an increasing interaction with humanity. Optimus Gen 3 could be offered to consumers as early as 2026, for about $30,000. Kintsugi did not reveal how much had been spent on developing its Autodroid, or how much it would cost if commercially available.
“At Kintsugi, we are working on several innovations across multiple industries including aerospace, automotive and of course robotics,” said Rashed Al Mohtadi, executive director of Autogo, the robotics division of Kintsugi. “At this stage we're focusing on mastering this particular model but are growing as we progress.”
The household service robot industry is expected to develop significantly, due to increased demand for social care in the elderly population and integration of smart home technology.
Big business
The global market was worth $12.18 billion last year and is expected to reach $71.26 billion within a decade, research and consulting company Precedence Research says.
“Seeing how fast technology is moving in AI in all industries, it may seem concerning for certain job roles where it might be wiped out or taken over, but I don't think it's the case,” said Mr Al Mohtadi. “People should see it as adding huge value, as a tool to be utilised rather than something to be afraid of.
“This will contribute significantly to all areas that it's implemented in. Over the next five to 10 years we're going to see a significant increase in the humanoid and robotics industry in terms of them being implemented into our everyday lives.”
A second trial is being considered later this year. St Regis did not wish to comment when asked about the robot concierge.
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
