Humanoid robots may roam UAE soon

Instead of human workers, exhibition centers and shopping malls in the United Arab Emiratesmay soon feature life-size humanoid robots as guides and entertainers. The Arabian Business reported the robots are to be made by Barcelona-based PAL Robotics, a robotics firm that is part of Abu Dhabi conglomerate Royal Group. "At the moment REEM (the robot) is prepared for use at exhibition centers and shopping malls. In the future we will focus as well on the healthcare sector, airports, museums and other public spaces," said Jorien Guijs, marketing manager at Pal Robotics. He said they are planning to build a factory in Abu Dhabi, which he expects to be ready by the second half of 2012, producing about a dozen robots a month. Launched earlier this year, the REEM series of robots were tested at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). The Arabian Business reported the robots proved so successful that PAL plans to open a factory next year in the emirate to manufacture REEM humanoids. “To be able to deliver these robots to ADNEC, and other future clients, we are building a factory in Abu Dhabi. If all goes according to plan, the factory will be ready by the second half of 2012, producing about a dozen of robots a month," Guijssaid. PAL claims REEM is capable of roaming through any kind of surroundings, replacing traditionally employed low-skilled workers. The REEM is equipped with an autonomous navigation system and a touch screen, and has functions ranging from face tracking and recognition functions to transporting luggage and other objects. A built-in lithium battery lets it move around for up to eight hours without the need for cables. Guijs estimated the robots will cost up to €200,000 ($269,157) each, depending on demand. A separate article on The Next Web said the introduction of humanoid robots in Abu Dhabi has has been the cause of some debate. Some have claimed the use of robots has more to do with PR than convenience or customer service, while others question the idea of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a robot that will render someone jobless. Specifications PAL Robotics said that aside from entertainment and transport, REEM's dynamic information point can be used with a wide variety of multimedia applications such as:

• display an interactive map of the surrounding area
• call up a variety of information (weather, nearby restaurants, airlines, travel time)
• offer tele-assistance via video-conferencing.

"REEM can be used in a wide spectrum of public spaces as for example hotels, museums, trade shows, special events, shopping malls, airports, hospitals, care centers and many others," it added. The REEM weighs 90 kg and is 1.70 meters tall. Its battery can last eight hours running a Core 2 Duo + ATOM computer. Its sensors include a microphone, stereo-camera, laser, ultrasounds, accelerometers and gyroscopes. — TJD, GMA News