Abu Dhabi's TII is using Qualcomm's brainpower to build smarter robots for the UAE's key industries.
TII will explore the use of the company's edge platforms, specifically the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ9 and IQ10 Series. By using these specialised Qualcomm Dragonwing platforms , TII can develop robots that are more self-sufficient.
Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has announced a strategic partnership with Qualcomm to advance autonomous systems. According to a press release from TII, the TII-Qualcomm collaboration will focus on edge AI, a technology that enables robots to make decisions locally without relying on the cloud. The partnership is best understood as a strategic move to build the foundational technology for the next generation of robotics in the UAE, similar to how Qualcomm's AI and 5G kit is enabling other industries.
The TII Qualcomm collaboration in detail
The core of the partnership involves TII integrating Qualcomm's advanced edge-computing hardware into its robotics research. TII will explore the use of the company's edge platforms, specifically the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ9 and IQ10 Series. These are not general-purpose chips; they are compact, high-performance systems designed to handle complex AI models, computer vision, and sensor data directly on a device.
By using these specialised Qualcomm Dragonwing platforms, TII can develop more self-sufficient robots. This includes everything from humanoid robots designed to operate in human environments to aerial drone systems for inspection or search-and-rescue missions.
Why on-device AI matters for robotics
There is a straightforward way to understand the importance of this deal. Previously, complex robotic tasks required a constant, high-speed connection to a powerful cloud server for processing. This created delays and made robots useless in areas without perfect connectivity. Edge-AI changes this by moving the 'brain' onto the robot itself.
This shift enables real-time decision-making, which is critical for autonomous systems navigating unpredictable environments. As Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, explained, the goal is to "build robots that are more aware, adaptive, and capable of operating in real-world conditions." This means robots can react instantly to their surroundings, a fundamental requirement for safe and effective operation.
Strategic impact for Abu Dhabi and the UAE
This collaboration is more than a technical agreement; it reinforces Abu Dhabi's strategy to become a global centre for research and development. By partnering with a world leader like Qualcomm, TII gains access to cutting-edge hardware to solve problems relevant to the UAE's economy. The focus on energy, mining, construction, and smart cities directly aligns with the nation's industrial and urban development goals. This follows a pattern of building the emirate's technical capabilities, complementing other initiatives such as Abu Dhabi's AI and robotics labs.
Dev Singh, Vice President at Qualcomm, noted the aim is to "accelerate innovations that can help drive meaningful impact across key industries." The implication is that this research will not remain in the lab but will be geared towards creating practical, commercial solutions for the region.
Looking forward: From research to reality
Looking forward, this partnership paves the way for TII to bridge the gap between applied research and industrial readiness. The immediate focus will be on integrating the hardware and developing prototype systems. If this model is correct, we should expect to see pilot projects emerge within the target sectors over the next few years.
The collaboration brings together the necessary components—advanced research from TII and powerful, efficient hardware from Qualcomm—to develop practical, ready-for-wide-scale-use autonomous systems. The result could be more efficient industrial operations, improved public safety systems, and new environmental monitoring tools for the UAE.
Collaboration details
This is a strategic collaboration between the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. The focus is on the research and development of autonomous systems using Qualcomm's edge AI platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the collaboration between TII and Qualcomm about?
The collaboration aims to advance edge-AI and autonomous solutions for robotics. It combines TII's applied research expertise with Qualcomm's advanced edge-computing platforms to build intelligent systems that can operate independently without constant cloud connectivity.
Which Qualcomm platforms will TII be using?
TII will explore the use of Qualcomm Technologies’ edge platforms, including the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ9 and IQ10 Series. These are compact, high-performance chipsets that integrate AI models, computer vision, and sensor processing for on-device intelligence.
What are the key applications of this collaboration?
The partnership will focus on applications for critical sectors in the UAE, including energy, mining, construction, and smart cities. The goal is to develop autonomous systems that can improve safety, efficiency, and environmental outcomes in these industries.
Who is the Technology Innovation Institute (TII)?
The Technology Innovation Institute, or TII, is the dedicated applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). It is a research and development centre that focuses on applied research and new technology capabilities for the UAE.
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