Hardware Podcasts

Micropolis and the Future of Robotics in Dubai

The Robot Report Podcast · 14 Nov 2025 · 1h 06m

What this episode covers

Fareed Al Jawari, CEO and founder of Micropolis Robotics, explains how his company pivoted from digital twins to autonomous security robots in Dubai, leveraging strong government partnerships with Dubai Police. He details their modular M1 and M2 platforms, which use interchangeable application pods for patrol and delivery, and highlights their vertical integration strategy of manufacturing all components, including large 3D printed body panels and circuit boards, in-house to overcome local supply chain gaps. Al Jawari emphasizes the critical role of IoT and edge computing in enabling these robots to operate autonomously within the city's infrastructure.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Micropolis Robotics, Dubai Police, Waymo, Locust Robotics, Object Ways
Products
M1 platform, M2 platform, Locus Array

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Over the Air · 28m

    Modularity in Robotics: A Vision for the Future

    Afshin Doust, CEO of Advanced Intelligent Systems (AIS), explains how the company uses a proprietary library of hardware and software modules to reduce development time and cost, aiming to empower a broader robotics ecosystem. He details the pivot from an agricultural tech focus to developing a COVID-19 disinfectant robot in just 11 weeks, which validated their modular approach and led to a non-GPS localization system for greenhouse use. Doust also discusses AIS's 'Robotics-as-a-Service' business model, which eliminates large capital expenditures for customers by charging for work performed, and shares insights on building a resilient, win-win corporate culture.

    Robotics & autonomyScaling production
    6 chapters

  • Over the Air · 32m

    Digital Twins and IoT for Robotics

    Kiva Allgood, President and CEO of Sarcos Technology and Robotics, discusses the company's evolution from R&D to commercializing industrial robotics and exoskeletons like the Guardian XO and XT. She explains how Sarcos leverages IoT, digital twins, and autonomous capabilities to solve labor shortages in unstructured environments, emphasizing the shift from hydraulic to electric systems and the importance of business value over technological novelty. Allgood also shares insights on her leadership journey, the critical role of diverse perspectives in decision-making, and the future of robotics in space and subsea applications.

    Robotics & autonomyConnected products & IoT
    7 chapters

  • Robot Talk · 33m

    Episode 158: Autonomous robot deliveries - Ahti Heinla

    Ahti Heinla, co-founder and CEO of Starship Technologies, discusses the company's AI-powered autonomous delivery robots, which have completed over 10 million deliveries across dozens of cities in the UK, US, and Europe. He explains the industrial design choices that prioritize a neutral, friendly aesthetic to integrate into neighborhoods, and details the technical architecture where most safety-critical decisions are made on-board while cloud infrastructure handles long-tail routing optimization. Heinla highlights the regulatory progress in countries like Finland and Estonia, noting how forward-looking policies enabled nationwide scaling, and describes the company's transition from early prototypes to a mature, cost-efficient operation that is now optimizing for higher capacity and smoother user experiences.

    Robotics & autonomyIndustrial & consumer product design
    8 chapters

  • Robot Talk · 19m

    Episode 72: Smart mobile robots for industry - Rafael Lopez

    Rafael Lopez, Managing Director of Robotnik Automation, discusses the evolution of his company from a garage startup in 2002 to its 2023 acquisition by United Robotics Group. He highlights the Summit XL, a general-purpose mobile platform capable of carrying 65kg and operating for 8 hours, which serves as the foundation for specialized robots like the Arby Watcher for electrical substation inspections. Lopez explains how Robotnik’s strategy of offering customizable platforms with mountable sensors allows them to address diverse applications ranging from logistics to security, supported by extensive EU-funded R&D projects.

    Robotics & autonomySensors & measurement in products
    6 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 30m

    Democratizing Industrial Automation w/ Etienne Lacroix

    Etienne Lacroix, Founder and CEO of Vention, explains how his company is democratizing industrial automation for small and medium-sized manufacturers by productizing robotics applications and enabling shop-floor practitioners to build their own machines. He details the shift from expensive, custom system integration to modular, plug-and-play components and virtualization, which allows users to create digital twins and de-risk capital expenditure before buying hardware. Lacroix also discusses the recent decline in US robot arm sales, attributing it to interest rates, and outlines how AI-driven tools like generative design and autonomous robotics are lowering the barrier to entry for automation.

    Robotics & autonomyScaling production
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Robot Report Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.