News
Dubai Police unveils Robocop at GISEC & IoTx 2017
Dubai Police has welcomed a new member on to its force. He doesn’t need a visa, medical insurance or hours of training, and he is ready to engage with Dubai’s residents and millions of tourists across the city’s streets.
The world’s first operational robot policeman, officially joined the line of duty today, greeting guests at the opening of the 4th Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), including Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Head of Security for the Emirate of Dubai, who opened the show and the co-located Internet of Things Expo (IoTx), which run until Tuesday 23 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The autonomous Robocop, standing 170 centimetres tall and weighing 100 kilograms, is equipped with an emotion detector which can recognise gestures and hand signals from up to 1.5 metres away. The Robocop can also detect a person’s emotions and facial expressions – whether the individual is happy, sad, or smiling – and has the ability to change his expression and greetings accordingly to put people at ease.
When patrolling the streets, the Robocop which harnesses Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and the latest smart technologies, can use its facial recognition software to help police officers identify and catch offenders, as well as broadcast live video feeds.
“With an aim to assist and help people in the malls or on the streets, the Robocop is the latest smart addition to the force and has been designed to help us fight crime, keep the city safe and improve happiness levels,” said Brigadier-General Khalid Nasser Al Razzouqi, Director-General of Smart Services at Dubai Police. “The launch of the world’s first operational Robocop is a significant milestone for the emirate and a step towards realising Dubai’s vision to be a global leader in smart cities technology adoption.”
The Robocop will patrol the halls of GISEC until Tuesday evening before in high-density areas of the city. The RoboCop’s wide-ranging skills include the capability to map the insides of a building and navigate its path automatically via its self-control and drive feature.
With a built-in tablet device, people can complete smart police services through RoboCop using credit cards for payments, resulting in an enhanced customer service experience. RoboCop can also transmit and communicate in six languages, including Arabic, English and more. Additionally, the robot can chat and interact, respond to public queries, shake hands and offer a military salute.
Adding value to the existing police force, the robot’s integrated system allows it to be linked to various social media channels, such as Twitter, as well as artificial intelligence systems, mobile applications and websites, among others.
“Robots and autonomous machines are shaping and redefining our future and transforming the way we function. Technological advancements are enabling robots to talk, see, feel and react to objects and humans. The age of the robots is no longer coming – it has arrived,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.
Key sponsors of GISEC 2017 include DARKMATTER as the Cyber Security Innovation Partner, DigiRobotics as the Smart Manufacturing Partner, Gulf Business Machines as the Official Security Solution Sponsor, Cisco and Spire Solutions as the Platinum Sponsors and Infowatch as the Panel Sponsor.
Hospitality
Larisa Uskar appointed Corporate Director of Brand Marketing for Rotana
Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana Hotels announced the appointment of Larisa Uskar to the position of Corporate Director of Brand Marketing.
With her extensive experience across global hotel brands such as Jumeirah, Fairmont, Raffles Hotels, Accor, and IHG, Larisa will oversee a comprehensive brand uplift and the development of an innovative marketing strategy at both corporate and property levels.
Barnes stated “Having Larisa join us at this pivotal time in Rotana’s journey is a major step forward. She brings a fresh innovative thought process combined with a personal passion and drive that is critical to our future success”.
“I am excited to be part of this transformative journey at Rotana,” says Larisa. “My goal is to implement a refreshed, forward-thinking brand presence that reflects the excellence and innovation of our hotels across all markets.”
As part of Rotana’s ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment, Larisa will also play a key role in fostering female leadership and creating opportunities for women to thrive in the hospitality industry. Her leadership will be crucial in positioning Rotana as a global hospitality leader, setting new benchmarks in luxury and service.
Hospitality
Jawad Saade Appointed General Manager of Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences at Jewel of The Creek
Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences at Jewel of the Creek is proud to announce the appointment of Jawad Saade as General Manager. With over 22 years of hospitality experience, Saade brings a wealth of leadership, industry knowledge, and strategic expertise to his new role, where he will focus on driving innovation and excellence.
In his position, Saade will oversee all operations at Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences, with a strong emphasis on sustainability initiatives aligned with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy. This comprehensive sustainability strategy aims to reduce the company’s environmental footprint, promote social impact, and enhance the guest experience. As part of this commitment, Saade will lead efforts to implement energy-efficient practices, minimise waste, and conserve water.
Furthermore, Saade will integrate cutting-edge technologies to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and optimise revenue performance. By utilising the latest technological solutions, the hotel aims to personalise guest interactions, improve operational efficiency, and anticipate guest needs, ultimately providing a seamless experience that aligns with the evolving preferences of today’s travellers.
Commenting on his appointment, Saade stated, “I am thrilled to join Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences at Jewel of the Creek. This prestigious property holds immense potential, and I look forward to working with our talented team to deliver world-class service. My focus will be on continuously enhancing our offerings to exceed guest expectations, incorporating sustainability practices, and leveraging guest centric solutions to elevate the hotel experiences and operational efficiency.”
Hospitality
Malaysia Airlines Appoints Almosafer as Exclusive General Sales Agent in Saudi Arabia
Malaysia Airlines has appointed Almosafer as its exclusive general sales agent (GSA) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership reaffirms Malaysia Airlines’ expanding presence in the region and strengthens its role in supporting the growing travel demand between the two nations.
Through this collaboration, Almosafer will lead all sales and ticketing operations for Malaysia Airlines in Saudi Arabia, leveraging its on-ground expertise and unparalleled digital reach. The partnership will enhance connectivity for travellers, allowing them access to Malaysia Airlines’ world-class services and extensive flight network. In addition to sales, Malaysia Airlines will benefit from Almosafer’s comprehensive offerings, including its destination management company, Discover Saudi, and its Hajj and Umrah tour Operator, Mawasim, alongside Almosafer Business.
This partnership aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to welcome 150 million visitors by the end of the decade, including the recent launch of enhanced Umrah+ packages tailored for Malaysian pilgrims. Almosafer’s role in advancing this vision, coupled with Malaysia Airlines’ premium travel experiences, promises to create a seamless journey for both inbound and outbound travellers.
Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Business from MAG, said: “Malaysia Airlines looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Almosafer as we embark on a journey to strengthen our presence in Saudi Arabia and serve travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond. By leveraging Almosafer’s local expertise and rich legacy, we are confident that this partnership will enhance the travel experience for Saudi passengers. Our extensive connectivity and premium onboard services will open new opportunities and expand our reach to a broader audience.”
Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer, said: “At Almosafer, we constantly strive to offer best-in-class services to our valued customers through strategic partnerships and easy access to our B2B and B2C customers. As Malaysia Airlines’ newly appointed GSA in Saudi Arabia, we look forward to leveraging our industry leadership, local expertise, on-ground support, and state-of-the-art portal to offer a seamless experience for inbound and outbound tourists.”
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