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Meet Dubai’s Groundbreaking Smart Robot Delivery Assistant
Cedre Valley in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis will host a three-month trial of the delivery robots, aiming to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
A groundbreaking delivery robot is now undergoing a three-month trial in Dubai’s Cedre Villas community at the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). The innovative robot, developed in a partnership between logistics giant Aramex and the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), aims to revolutionize last-mile urban delivery services by enhancing efficiency and minimizing carbon emissions.
The trial in the Cedre Villas community will see the robot autonomously manage the delivery of over 1,000 packages. This upgraded version, equipped with multiple compartments designed for different parcel sizes, promises to boost delivery capacity and operational versatility compared to its single-cabin predecessors.
This cutting-edge technology is a part of Dubai’s ambitious strategy to integrate autonomous systems into its transportation network, with a goal of converting 25% of its transportation to autonomous mode by 2030. This initiative aligns with the wider Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which emphasizes sustainable urban growth and smart mobility solutions.
To ensure safety and security during the pilot phase, recipients of packages from Aramex will receive secure pin codes to access their deliveries. Additionally, robot operations will be continuously monitored by a mobile outlet at the Cedre Shopping Centre, which will also manage the loading and unloading of packages.
Muammar Khaled Al Katheeri, Chief Officer of Engineering and Sustainability at DIEZ, highlighted the importance of integrating carbon-neutral delivery robots into Dubai’s Smart City Strategy, reinforcing the city’s commitment to advancing green technology for urban development.
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Meanwhile, Tarek Abuyaghi, General Manager of Aramex, voiced his enthusiasm for the environmental benefits and enhanced urban living experience brought about by the initiative. The collaboration with DIEZ reflects a shared dedication to developing future-oriented delivery solutions in Dubai.
The pilot’s success will be assessed based on key metrics such as safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Depending on the results, there may be an expansion of this technology to other economic zones, including the Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai CommerCity.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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