Scotland and the United Arab Emirates are collaborating to launch the first Robotarium in the Middle East, with the hope of driving innovation in robotics and artificial intelligence.

The new UAE Robotarium is being created through a strategic partnership between Heriot-Watt University Dubai and Expo City Dubai, a community and platform focused on showcasing the latest innovations in the Middle Eastern nation. 

Inspired by the model of the UK’s own National Robotarium, located at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the UAE facility will unite leaders from academia, industry, and government in the hope of accelerating breakthroughs in robotics and AI.

According to Heriot-Watt, the new institution will provide a space to incubate startups, helping them to develop and commercialise their technologies, and demonstrate the practical applications of automation in urban life.

Heriot-Watt University said that a major focus of the collaboration will be talent development, with Expo City Dubai set to sponsor new PhD research positions at Heriot-Watt’s Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

“We look forward to working with Expo City Dubai to drive AI and robotics research,” said Professor Dame Heather McGregor, vice principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

“For 20 years, Heriot-Watt University has been a leading British higher education institution in the UAE, emphasising our commitment to academic excellence and research. 

“We are proud to support the UAE’s bold vision and contribute to strengthening the country’s leadership in automation and advanced technologies.”

By 2031, the UAE aims to become one of the world’s leading nations in AI, as set out in the government’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which outlines the country’s objectives including building its reputation in the sector, attracting tech talent, and bringing research capabilities to targeted industries.

The country’s National Innovation Strategy, meanwhile, aims to establish the Emirates as ‘one of the most innovative nations in the world within seven years’ through institutionalising innovative practices within government, encouraging private sector investment, and upskilling citizens with a focus on STEM.

Speaking on the signing of the agreement with Heriot-Watt, Najeeb Mohamed Al-Ali, executive director for Expo City Dubai Authority, said: “This world-class research centre will attract the best talent to drive transformative solutions that benefit communities and improve the quality of urban living, fully supporting Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33) and the UAE’s position as a global innovation pioneer.”

The plans to replicate Edinburgh’s Robotarium in the UAE are a result of continued engagement between the UAE and Scottish Government after Expo 2020 Dubai.

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In 2023, the UAE Government and Scottish Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two regions aimed at enhancing non-oil bilateral trade and promoting collaboration in advanced technology, innovation, education and research.

However, according to Amnesty International, that same year saw the UAE continue to restrict the rights to freedom of expression for citizens, put limits on civil society, and do little to combat increasing carbon emissions, despite the publicly stated aims of the government, all of which led Amnesty to call for increased transparency around how human rights were considered by the Scottish Government when striking the initial agreement. 

At the same time, findings from Human Rights Watch have shown that the country deploys some of the world’s most advanced surveillance technologies to monitor public spaces, internet activity, and even individuals’ phones.

Despite that, the Scottish Government maintains that the UAE is an important strategic partner in the region, with the country benefiting from economic collaboration between firms across industries, not to mention millions sunk into Scotland’s renewables sector.

Following the signing ceremony for this latest collaboration,  Scotland’s business minister, Richard Lochhead, said: “This is a milestone moment for Heriot-Watt and recognition of its global reputation for scientific excellence.

“This development is a great example of how Scottish expertise can make a global difference and deepens our economic relations with an important international partner.”