King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a leading research university in Saudi Arabia, has officially launched the Robotics Bay, a 1,000-square-metre facility dedicated to the design, testing, and prototyping of sophisticated robotic and autonomous systems. The new interdisciplinary center aims to significantly strengthen the Kingdom’s capabilities in the critical fields of robotics and artificial intelligence.
A Hub for Interdisciplinary Robotics Research
The Robotics Bay is designed to be a collaborative and innovative environment for KAUST faculty, students, and national partners. Supervised by Professor Eric Feron and Assistant Professor Shinkyu Park of the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty, the facility supports a wide range of research applications. These include agile ground and aerial robots, human-robot collaboration, multi-robot swarms, and robotics for marine operations, directly supporting the development of smart cities, autonomous mobility, and advanced infrastructure relevant to the Kingdom’s giga-projects.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
At the heart of the Robotics Bay is a high-bay arena built for comprehensive aerial and ground robot trials. This central space is surrounded by specialized laboratories and equipped with advanced infrastructure, including a motion-capture system, dedicated flight zones for drone experiments, and 400-volt electrical outlets for energy-intensive systems. It also provides robust support for robotic manipulators, autonomous fleets, and underwater vehicles. To facilitate rapid innovation, the facility includes prototyping tools such as 3D printers, computer numerical control (CNC) machines, and soldering stations.
Bolstering Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
The launch of the Robotics Bay is a strategic move aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to build a knowledge-based economy beyond the hydrocarbon sector. By providing world-class infrastructure comparable to leading global robotics centers, KAUST is positioning the Kingdom to compete in high-tech industries and is creating a vital training ground for the next generation of Saudi robotics and AI specialists. The facility’s location on campus also connects it to the university’s Future Mobility Sandbox, allowing researchers to seamlessly move concepts from small-scale testing to outdoor deployment.
About King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is a graduate research university that opened in 2009. Located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, KAUST is a catalyst for innovation and economic development. The university brings together international faculty and researchers to address global challenges related to food, health, water, energy, the environment, and the digital domain while building domestic expertise in advanced technology sectors.
Source: Middle East AI News
