UAE Unveils First Humanoid Robotics Showroom, Fueling Dubai's Ambitious Robot Expansion

The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated its first dedicated humanoid robotics showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, attracting significant attention with live demonstrations featuring five humanoid robots engaging in presentations, dancing, and playing football with children. Lootah Robotics, the company responsible for this venture, launched the facility near the Dubai International Financial Centre. The event was attended by dozens of guests and observed by over 4,000 viewers online, who tuned in from various countries worldwide.

The children participating in the demonstrations were graduates of Lootah Robotics' own robotics academy. Yousif Al Lootah, the founder, emphasized the national significance of the opening, stating, "We are following the steps of our leadership." He highlighted Dubai's objective to integrate 200,000 robots by 2032, a goal Lootah Robotics aims to contribute to. The company commenced operations with 28 robots, with plans to expand its inventory.

This ambitious target is a core component of the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme, established in 2022 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. The program seeks to deploy 200,000 robots across Dubai by 2032, aiming to increase the robotics sector's contribution to the emirate's GDP to 9 percent, positioning Dubai among the top 10 global robotics and automation hubs.

Addressing concerns about job displacement, Mr. Al Lootah asserted that these robots are intended to augment human capabilities rather than replace human workers. "Some people are afraid that they’re going to take the jobs of the people. But I say no, it's going to enhance the work of the people," he stated.

The showroom's opening aligns with a significant global shift in the robotics industry. In the first half of 2026, shipments of humanoid robots globally surged by 432 percent compared to the previous year, with approximately 25,000 units delivered, generating over $740 million in revenue, according to International Data Corporation. The global market, currently valued at $6.24 billion, is projected to reach $165 billion by 2034.

For the UAE, analysts predict a compound annual growth rate exceeding 40 percent for humanoid robots through 2033. The local market is expected to grow from $7.4 million in 2025 to $156.8 million within seven years, according to Horizon Databook. Faisal Al Bannai, an advisor to the UAE President and Secretary General of the ATRC, previously projected that the UAE would become the largest deployer of autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics outside of China within a year.

The showroom itself is designed to foster this growth, initially stocking 28 robots, with more additions planned. Lootah Robotics offers a diverse range of robots beyond humanoids, including cleaning and services robots, inspection robots, oil dump robots, and specialized fire and safety robots for industries like construction and oil and gas. The facility includes offices and a warehouse to manage inventory for sales and rentals, with robot prices ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh3 million, and rentals starting below Dh5,000.

Mr. Al Lootah explained that the company's offering extends beyond the hardware, encompassing essential programming, operation, and maintenance services for the robots sold.