Nvidia teamed up with Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to launch a combined AI and robotics research lab, as the UAE ramps up efforts to become a global AI leader.
The new lab will combine TII’s applied research in robotics, AI and high-performance computing with Nvidia’s accelerated computing platforms and AI expertise, marking the first Nvidia AI Technology Centre (NVAITC) in the Middle East.
TII, the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), stated the lab will drive innovation in embodied AI, humanoid stacks and hardware designed for real-time robotic systems. It will also support the development and deployment of large language models, including TII’s Arabic language Falcon series.
According to Reuters, TII CEO Najwa Aaraj confirmed the lab will utilise Nvidia’s latest edge GPU, the Thor chip, to advance next-generation robotics, including humanoids, quadrupeds and robotic arms designed for transport and logistics applications.
Teams from both organisations will reportedly co-locate in Abu Dhabi, with additional hires planned to support the expanded scope of work.
In a statement, Aaraj stated the partnership “marks a major step toward building AI-enhanced robotic systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting in complex environments”.
“By combining our advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models and compute, we are accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language – laying the foundation for a new era of intelligent machines,” he added.
The news comes after the UAE signed a multibillion-dollar agreement to build one of the world’s largest AI data centre hubs in Abu Dhabi using advanced Nvidia chips earlier this year. However, the deal remains pending amid reported US security concerns over the Gulf state’s ties with China.
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