The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has revealed that the second edition of the Emirates Robotics Competition will feature 61 teams from 14 local and international universities across the UAE. Coordinated by Dubai Future Labs, Khalifa University (KU), and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the competition invites teams of 3-6 members, with finalists advancing to the ultimate stage scheduled for February 2024.
Organized around three distinct themes—sustainability, recycling, and waste collection—the competition presents challenges where robots must engage in tasks such as recycling waste in designated areas, collecting waste from the ground, or extracting refuse from water bodies.
The overarching goal of the tournament is to showcase the technological prowess of young talents, fostering their acquisition of new skills and contributing to the UAE’s aspiration to establish itself as a global hub for robotics and AI technologies.
Participating teams are tasked with developing robots capable of intelligent interaction with their surroundings. Khalifa Al Qama, Director of Dubai Future Labs, emphasized that the Emirates Robotics Competition is geared towards cultivating a new generation of robotic developers in the UAE. It provides them with a platform to showcase their skills and address current and future challenges in key sectors.
Al Qama highlighted the alignment of the competition with the Dubai Robotics and Automation Program, initiated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.
Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President of Khalifa University, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Dubai Future Labs and RIT, stating that the competition aims to inspire individuals globally to explore advancements in science and innovation. Aligning with the goals of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the competition contributes to the growth of the robotics sector in line with the UAE leadership’s directives.
Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President of RIT Dubai, shared the university’s enthusiasm for participating in the Emirates Robotics Competition for the second consecutive year. He emphasized the importance of such collaborations in enriching the experiences of students, faculty, and communities, reinforcing RIT Dubai’s commitment to fostering practical knowledge and designing purposeful solutions.
The inaugural edition of the competition featured 52 teams from 17 universities, with 21 teams advancing to the final stage, where they tackled challenges in navigation and manipulation. The winners included Middlesex University Dubai in the transportation challenge and Manipal University Dubai in the maneuvering challenge.
