Dubai is likely to have an autonomous robot to call the faithful for prayers and end their fast during Ramazan.
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official said that currently the robot is deployed to monitor erring e-scooter and bicycle users.
The AI-powered robot is five-foot tall and has speakers and a touchscreen monitor. It can be used to make important announcements.
Hamad Alafeefi said that the robot will be sweeping an area of about 600 metres along the busy tourist area of Jumeirah Kite Beach during the one-month trial phase.
The robot will gather data to identify violations, including failure to adhere to safety protocols like wearing helmets and parking in unauthorised areas or having multiple riders on e-scooters.
However, the authorities can also calibrate the robot for making important public announcements such as call to prayer or to remind people to keep off the beach during bad weather.
The machine is designed to work efficiently under various weather conditions.
The robot operates seven days a week. On weekdays, it operates from 3pm to 11pm while on weekdays from 5pm to 1am. The machine has a 4K camera with night vision.
The sales director of Terminus Group said the RTA roving robot has similarities to those deployed during Expo 2020 that interacted with Expo visitors. This roving robot also has interactive functionalities, Hameed noted.
