UAE's Robotics and Automation sector to scale new heights

•Region to grow at more than 6%CAGR
•Increasing business and consumer demands to fuel new investments
•RTEX, MENA's first robotics exhibition to discuss UAE's role in becoming the robotics hub of the region.

Dubai, 21 April 2014 - The robotics and automation market in the Middle East is expected to see increased investments, as the UAE steers its way tobecome the robotics hub in the region.

Backed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai's vision to turn the emirate into a smarter and futuristic city, the UAEcontinues to be one of the key players intheregional automation market which is expected to grow at a CAGR of more thansix percent during 2012 to 2016.

Currently,the technologyisgaining popularityin the healthcare, education, infrastructure, safety and security, aeronautics and aviation sector in the Middle East.In the UAE, robotics has been successfully used across various sectors including, the Dubai Metro, the world's longest, fully automated metro network and the world's largest automated parking facility at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the global demand for industrial robots reached an all-time-high of about 168,000 units in 2013. By 2015, the IFRestimates the worldwide robot sales to increase by five percent on an average as a result of the opening up of hugeconsumer markets in the BRIC, South East Asia and the Middle East region.

Addressing these opportunities, RTEX (Robot Technology Exhibition)will host the firstrobotics and automation conference in Dubai on 12 May 2014. The conference which is part of the pre-launch event aims to bring together government and industry leaders to raise awareness and examine how the emirate can position itself as a regional robotics hub.

Taking place at the Meydan, the conference includes a talk by Mohammad Al-Shamsi, the Founder of Emirates Robotics Club, who will share insights on the future of Robotics in the Middle East from a young Emirati's point of view. Alongside, Dr. Nikolaos Mavridis, Director, Interactive Robots and Media Lab will discuss the growth of robotics in theregion and Dr. Claus Risager,Partner and Director of Blue Ocean Robotics will introduce delegates to role and business potentialsof robotic in the UAE's education and healthcare sectors.The conference also includes a session on the Europeanrobotic roadmap and will explore new opportunities for cooperation with the MENA region, under the leadership of Dr. José Barata, Assistant Professor (UNL) and Researcher (UNINOVA).

"The last five years have been very exciting for robotics in the UAE. A host of new technologies have eased and simplified the day-to-day lives of the residents.As the industry expands, it offers hugegrowth opportunities forlocal business to invest, innovate and drive advancement in the technologies of tomorrow.

"By bringing together local stakeholders from a cross section of industriesthe RTEX conference aims to leverage the economic benefits that robots bring to any business and create local success stories to inspire and transform the region into a hub for robotics and automation development," said Golnaz van Huyssteen, Operations Manager, RTEX.

The RTEX Conference on 12 May 2014 is part of the main RTEX event, which is scheduled to take place atthe Meydan from 28 - 30 September 2014. The conference will also host the annual University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) Robotic Competition. To register for the conference, please visit http://rt-exhibition.com/conference-registration.html.

In the last five years, the UAE has successfully implemented a number of automated services including:
•The Dubai Metro, the world's longest, fully automated metro network spanning 75 km
•The Robot NAO, deployed in UAE classrooms to help students in mechanics and mathematics
•The first robot pharmacist in the region, operating at the Universal Hospital in Abu Dhabi
•The Ibn Sina Robot, the world's first full-size Android Robot, which can perform dialogues in the Arabic language
•Service Robot Reem, designed to assist people in hospitals, hotels, museums or airports
•The Khalifa University's FLOAT system (Free Levitation for Overground Active Training), can help people with movement disabilities
•The world's largest automated parking facility at the Dubai International Financial Centre
•Window cleaning robot, Robo Clean, specifically designed for the UAE
•Most recently, the UAE government's initiative to further develop the use of drones to deliver official documents to residents in a more efficient manner.

-Ends-

About RTEX
RTEX (Robot Technology Exhibition)is the first robotics and automation event inthe Middle East and North Africa region. 'Better by Robot' as its key theme, the exhibition revolves around the idea that a future with robot technology will be a better and safer one for humanity. RTEX presents a distinguished source for companies and investors to enter a unique market and experience anew level of science and technology. It aims to add value to UAE's growing economy by involving various business sectors, creating employment opportunities, attracting international investors, and catapulting the city to a tech hub.

Organised by Palladium Exhibition Organizer, the RTEX conference takes place on May 12, 2014 followed by the main exhibition from September 28 - 30, 2014. For further information on the exhibition, please contact www.rt-exhibition.com

For more information, please contact:
Elissar Amhaz
Ketchum Raad Middle East
Tel: +971 50 1442131
Email: Elissar.amhaz@ketchum-raad.com

Golnaz van Huyssteen
Operations Manager, RTEX
Tel: +971 4 456 3766
Email: Golnaz@rt-exhibition.com