Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Robots have begun preparing meals in Abu Dhabi as German robotics and artificial intelligence company Circus SE starts commercial operations in the UAE.
The UAE is the company’s first market outside Europe and marks the beginning of its planned expansion of autonomous food-production infrastructure across the Gulf, Circus said in a statement.
Operations are beginning at a location in Abu Dhabi, with Dubai to follow. Circus will hold a launch event for its CA-1 food-production robot in Abu Dhabi on October 6.
The company has partnered with UAE-based Royal Prestige Food Contracts for the launch. Royal Prestige produces more than three million meals annually for clients including the UAE Army, the UAE Royal Palace, UAE ministries, ADNOC and the Red Crescent, according to the statement.
Circus said its robots would use ingredients sourced locally through Royal Prestige. The company’s Circus Pods, which form part of the supply infrastructure supporting its autonomous systems, are also expected to be produced in the UAE.
Circus SE develops proprietary AI models, autonomous robotic systems and a central operating platform for civilian and defence applications.
“We’re bringing AI and robotics into everyday life, creating the first scalable, real-world physical AI touchpoint that truly serves people,” Nikolas Bullwinkel, Founder and CEO of Circus, said in a post on the company’s website.
Bullwinkel said the company viewed the UAE as an important market for its technology.
“The UAE is building the infrastructure layer of the AI economy, and robotics food production belongs in it. We strongly believe the UAE will grow to become one of our largest markets in the mid-term, as it holds huge growth potential with great customer adoption for new technologies,” he said.
Chef Abdallah Youssef, CEO of Royal Prestige Food Contracts, said the partnership would enable the caterer to introduce autonomous food production to its clients across the UAE.
“Partnering with Circus allows us to bring truly autonomous food production to our clients across the UAE: serving more people, around the clock, without ever compromising on quality,” Youssef said.
The start of commercial operations follows Circus receiving regulatory certification under the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the statement said.
