Abu Dhabi to produce life-size robots from next year

Posted by: keenObzerver Tuesday, 11 October 2011 5:40 PM[UAE] - UK

These robots will most likely be attached to floor and marble shining equipment and let loost in the airport or convention center, or will distribute soft drinks and fruit juices. Or as a high tech security Bot with cameras and loudspeakers, also for events and airports/ formula one
This is more about PR and projecting the UAE in a modern and hitech light, and less about replacing human employees.

They could also be used to clear land mines :)

Posted by: Shakil Tuesday, 11 October 2011 3:00 PM[UAE] - Abu Dhabi

Imagine one day you get really really frustrated by these 'in-human' robots and you scream "Enough is enough, I want to see your manager".

The Robot quitely goes into an office and come back with another Giant Robot!

Posted by: Hal Tuesday, 11 October 2011 2:57 PM[UAE] - UAE

Great comments, quite rightly pouring humourous scorn and ridicule on this financially nonsensical (un)development.
I very much hope AB will forward the collected comments to whomever might be in charge of this before the money is tossed away.

Posted by: procan Wednesday, 12 October 2011 9:08 AM[UAE] - canada

Got to agree with Hal on this. Is there a future with robots of course we use them every day, and more will be used , but as a domestic or care giver it is in the distant future, to day they are promotional devices no better than toys .

Posted by: Worldnomad Monday, 10 October 2011 5:04 PM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

I see a great future in the customer service industry. The lives of many CSRs will no longer be cursed. No feelings to be hurt when frustrated customers scream or swear at them. Their blank faces will be no different from the current level of service, and the explanation they provide for not correcting the problem can be on their screens (not too close to the customer or they may become damaged). Customers will leave wondering where the plug is instead of malicious thoughts about the poor CSRs. Fantastic idea! Let's implement globally.

Posted by: telcoguy Wednesday, 12 October 2011 5:45 PM[UAE] - UAE

@mm, how is that different from the current situation?

Posted by: mm Tuesday, 11 October 2011 2:59 PM[UAE] - uae

I cant wait to be served by a robot that have nothing but automated replies and not able to provide solutions or alternatives! no, can not see the great future - if anything, it would be terrible (and expensive) customer service, to say the least.

Posted by: layla Tuesday, 11 October 2011 8:09 AM[UAE] - egypt

I agree with stu, he makes more sense. people need to start caring about people not just money. Perhaps the robots can be used for hazardous jobs then it would be worth the cost.

Posted by: Stu Pidhuman Monday, 10 October 2011 7:40 PM[UAE] - UAE

Just a thought !

How about paying a 'low-skilled (human) worker' a salary of $3,000 per month ( which is more than double the typical amount paid in this region)?

You could employ him/her for 7 years !! With the initial amount of $269,000 invested and monthly salaries deducted, you will also have over $30,000 at the end of the 7 years to give that worker a well deserved 'gratuity'.

During these 7 years, the 'human' worker will buy goods and spend money adding to the economy. He/she will support a family and even an extended family.

All the money spent on the robot for charging batteries every day (electricity), and maintenance, can be spent on the worker for medical insurance and other extras.

In less than 7 years the robot will be useless whereas the worker and his/her family would have made a good life for themselves an helped others too.

Then again, what do I know? .......... I am just a stupid human !!!

Posted by: Jack Daniel Monday, 10 October 2011 11:57 AM[UAE] - UAE

So which companies will have their Management Staff replaced, since the term 'low skilled' applies to that catagory too ????

@Chris - If they really consider the 'low skilled' Management Staff in that category, I assume these robots maybe much cheaper.......

Also I agree @John Smith.......regarding the classification.