Pilot phase for Talabat food delivery robots in Dubai Silicon Oasis

The pilot launch of food delivery robots in Dubai Silicon Oasis has been announced by the UAE’s Roads and Transport Authority. (Dubai Media Office)
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Updated 16 February 2023
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Pilot phase for Talabat food delivery robots in Dubai Silicon Oasis

  • ‘Talabots’ use advanced artificial intelligence to transport deliveries in 15 minutes within a range of 3 km.
  • Initiative blurs faces to prevent any facial recognition, in line with privacy laws

DUBAI: The pilot launch of food delivery robots in Dubai Silicon Oasis has been announced by the UAE’s Roads and Transport Authority, in partnership with the Integrated Economic Zones Authority, and Talabat UAE, the Emirates News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Three “talabots” will serve residents of a gated community in the heart of DSO during the pilot phase.

They will use advanced artificial intelligence to deliver food from point to point within a range of 3 km. from their launching point. They are intended to transport deliveries within 15 minutes.

Customers can track the robot’s journey and receive notifications when it arrives at their property using an app.

In accordance with UAE regulations governing the protection of the community’s privacy, the AI technology used in the talabots protects people’s identities by blurring faces to prevent any facial recognition.

The initiative aims to promote zero-emission modes of delivery using advanced technology, in line with Dubai’s goal of converting 25 percent of all transportation trips to smart and driverless by 2030.

DSO’s Director-General Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi said: “Smart mobility is one of the six pillars of DSO’s Smart City Strategy, which is at the core of piloting carbon-neutral delivery robots in a closely monitored and controlled environment within the hi-tech park.

“We look forward to the success of this trial, and its expansion as part of DSO’s role as an innovation and knowledge hub under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.”

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Licensing Agency at the RTA, said that the authority was keen to broaden its partnerships with the private sector and aimed at spreading the culture of innovation in the transportation sector.


Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rises 10.4% in November: GASTAT 

Updated 11 January 2026
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Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rises 10.4% in November: GASTAT 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rose at its fastest rate in months, climbing 10.4 percent year on year in November, supported by stronger manufacturing activity and higher oil production, official data showed. 

The Industrial Production Index increased to 114.4, up from 103.6 a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics, though the index slipped 0.7 percent from October.

The latest figures highlight continued momentum in the Kingdom’s industrial sector as Saudi Arabia pursues economic diversification under its Vision 2030 agenda.

In its latest report, GASTAT stated: “Preliminary results indicate an increase of 10.4 percent in the IPI in November 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year, supported by the rise in mining and quarrying activity, manufacturing activity and water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities.”  

The sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 12.6 percent year on year in November, supported by Saudi Arabia’s decision to raise oil production to 10.1 million barrels per day, compared to 8.9 million bpd a year earlier. 

Manufacturing activity rose by 8.1 percent compared to November 2024, driven by a 14.5 percent increase in the production of coke and refined petroleum products. The manufacture of chemical products also recorded a 10.9 percent annual rise.

In contrast, the sub-index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply declined by 4.3 percent year on year, while water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities rose by 10.2 percent. 

On a month-on-month basis, the overall IPI fell by 0.7 percent in November. 

Mining and quarrying activity rose by 0.5 percent from October, while manufacturing activity edged up by 0.3 percent.

However, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply recorded a sharp monthly decline of 28.6 percent. Water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities fell by 3.1 percent over the same period. 

Overall, the index of oil activities advanced by 12.9 percent year on year in November, while non-oil activities increased by 4.4 percent. 

Compared to October, oil activities rose by 0.4 percent, while non-oil activities declined by 3.4 percent. 

The IPI measures changes in industrial output based on the International Standard Industrial Classification framework and covers mining, manufacturing, utilities, and waste management sectors.