Gitex Global 2021 – Special
By Paola Fernandez
The fair Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, better known as Gitex Global, took place in Dubai for the 41st time, between October 17th and 21st. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in a closed pavilion, it brought together international innovators in the areas of artificial intelligence, 5G, cloud, big data, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum computing, fintech, healthcare technology, and immersive marketing.
All of these topics were explored in six simultaneous events: Gitex Global, Gitex Future Stars, Future Blockchain Summit, AI Everything, Marketing Mania and Fintech Surge. There were over 400 lectures, and exhibits included computers, robots, supercars and smartphones. More than a thousand technology companies, including Epson, Huawei, Ericsson, Dell Technologies, Infor and AWS, exhibited their products.
One of the exhibits attractions was Doctor Alfred, a talking robot that works via artificial intelligence and voice recognition. He answers any question, including about his own life, and recognizes the accent of the questioner. Another highlight in this category was the robot that gives out hugs and answers all questions. It is remotely controlled by one person, using a virtual reality headset and two joysticks (when the person raises their arm, the robot does the same). There was also a third robot, which dispenses up to 100 cups of coffee an hour, and still makes 15 different types of drink.
Urban Mobility
The event also showcased new forms of mobility, such as the electric flying race car and the Mercedes-Benz concept car called Vision Avtr. The car is equipped with technology that allows it to perform certain tasks by reading the driver’s thoughts, who need to use a mind control device, a headband that will read the simulations. Instead of the steering wheel, there is a central control panel – the car’s brain – that helps to move the vehicle. The seats are sustainable, made from materials taken from the ocean.
Another exhibition that caught the attention of visitors was vertical agriculture. The use of a modularized container for smart hydroponic agriculture, which uses IoT and an operating system to regulate the growing environment, growing time and product quality, makes it possible to grow in arid areas like Dubai or in small spaces. The companies were able to grow four different vegetables together.
Dubai Expo 2020
Even though it was not held in 2020 because of the pandemic, the fair kept its name. Opened on October 1st, the international event runs until March 31, 2022, with delegations from over 190 countries. Its theme is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. The exhibition presents innovations in three thematic axes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. The program includes debates on business, gastronomy, technology, science, urbanism, culture and economy, with a strong focus on sustainability.
Due to its grandeur, Expo Dubai 2020 is being considered a new neighborhood in the city of the United Arab Emirates for the coming months. It occupies 438 hectares and brings together various sectors such as private companies, NGOs and government institutions. About 25 million people are expected during the event period.
