News
Dubai Municipality To Test Construction Materials Using AI Robots
The technology shortens testing from 4 days to 8 minutes, according to experts.

The Central Laboratory of Dubai Municipality is now using robots employing X-Rays and AI technology to conduct the automated chemical analysis of various construction materials, including cement.
Testing is linked to a smart laboratory platform, allowing engineers to receive inspection reports through smartphones and other mobile devices. The new system will improve the quality of the Municipality’s testing services to meet top international construction standards.
.@DMunicipality leverages AI robots to test construction materials used across #Dubai, resulting in a shortened testing period of 8 minutes, down from 4 working days, and an increased daily ratio of samples tested by 650%.https://t.co/iTzhfv9jUT pic.twitter.com/VqJ6Dp31zV
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 16, 2023
Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, Acting Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department at Dubai Municipality, explained, “The robots utilize X-rays to precisely carry out chemical analysis of construction materials and cement products used, which allows for effectively meeting the requirements of the construction sector. The technology shortens the duration of the tests from 4 days to 8 minutes, with a record daily increase in the ratio of samples examined to 650 percent, compared to the previous pre-application situation”.
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As well as helping to meet stringent safety standards, cement testing also impacts sustainability. Inspection of various mixtures can quickly ascertain their lifespan, helping city planners make better choices when commissioning new buildings. What do you think of the new AI robots?
News
Checkout.com Brings Visa Direct Push-To-Card To The UAE
The payment company is the first acquirer in the UAE to launch Visa Direct’s solution, enabling safe, instant money transfers.

Checkout.com has taken the UAE a step closer to its goal of a fully digital economy by becoming the first acquirer in the country to offer Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution. The new service will streamline money transfers for both businesses and consumers, enabling near-instant transactions across local and international markets.
Visa Direct connects over 190 markets and supports over 8.5 billion endpoints, including cards, bank accounts, and digital wallets. Push-to-Card transactions enhance efficiency for business users and consumers by allowing money to be sent quickly and easily to eligible Visa cards while leveraging the company’s secure network for reliability.
“Visa Direct is transforming the way money moves globally, and we are excited to see Checkout.com leverage this technology to meet the evolving demands of businesses and individuals alike by offering them a faster, more convenient, and secure way to send and receive funds,” said Shahebaz Khan, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, CEMEA.
The UAE has been at the forefront of digital payment adoption, driven by a national push toward a cashless economy. Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at Checkout.com, emphasized this shift: “By providing seamless, secure, and real-time payout capabilities, we’re empowering merchants with the agility to thrive in this fast-evolving landscape, while effectively meeting the growing consumer demand for speed and convenience. The Push-to-Card solution not only reinforces our commitment to powering payment performance but also showcases our agility in bringing yet another innovation to the UAE market.”
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Checkout.com’s latest MENA eCommerce data highlights the region’s increasing engagement with financial technologies, with around 80% of consumers participating in activities beyond basic online payments, such as money transfers and personal wealth management. The growing demand for real-time financial transactions has made fast, seamless payment solutions a priority.
To meet this demand, Account Funding Transactions (AFTs) have gained traction in the UAE. By integrating AFTs with Visa’s Push-to-Card services, Checkout.com is helping merchants offer secure, real-time account top-ups. Currently processing over one million AFTs per month with Visa, Checkout.com is now playing a leading role in modernizing financial transactions in the region.
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