Rabat - At Gitex Global 2025, the divide between humans and machines blurs more than ever as robots of all forms and purposes interact freely with visitors.
From humanoids who teach languages to children to quadrupeds that climb stairs and observe their surroundings, this year's exhibition highlights how far automation has come from being a distant concept to a tangible presence.
One innovation, however, stands out for its focus on human connection -- a teaching robot built to understand every child's particular learning style.
Personalising classroom learning
Developed by a UAE educator, the one-metre-tall robot is shown at the Ministry of Education's stand. Named Sanad -- meaning "support" in Arabic -- the robot is built to aid both students and teachers by personalising language lessons according to each child's skill level.
Latifa Alhammadi, Academic Vice Principal at Al Ethaar School under the Emirates Schools Establishment in Abu Dhabi, created Sanad as part of her PhD research in artificial intelligence.
"It supports both students and teachers," Alhammadi told Khaleej Times. "The robot analyses how each child is performing and adjusts the plan accordingly."
Sanad uses a suggestion system that tailors learning materials based on student performance. If a student answers most questions correctly, the robot increases the complexity; if not, it simplifies the tasks before gradually advancing the curriculum.
The original version is meant to teach English, but it can be changed to teach other languages, like French and Chinese.
The project is still in the research phase, but Alhammadi hopes to pilot the robot in government schools, starting with grades 1 to 5. "We'll seek approval from the Ministry of Education to test it in classrooms soon," she said.
Sanad is set up to talk to kids during breaks and after school, which helps them improve their conversational abilities.
Alhammadi is already working on a better version with more sensors and cameras, as well as a third version that could automatically recognize students without them having to log in.
Other robotic innovations at Gitex
While Sanad's human-centered mission garnered attention, other robots' technical prowess and agility also made an impression on guests.
The Booster T1, a humanoid robot that is 1.2 meters tall and weighs around 30 kilograms, was one of the GITEX Global 2025 highlights.
Designed for endurance and movement, it can complete complicated tasks, regain balance after falling, and navigate smoothly in any direction.
The Booster T1 has 23 degrees of freedom, which can be increased for more advanced development. It has also participated in RoboCup 2024 and is currently an official partner of the global robotics competition.
The X30 quadruped robot was another showstopper. It was made to work in fields such as surveying, mapping, inspection, and security.
It can ascend stairs at a 45-degree angle, go through tight or rough spaces, and operate on its own in all kinds of lighting - from complete darkness to bright light.
Because of its quick-swap battery technology -- which enables ongoing usage in harsh conditions -- it is appropriate for field tasks requiring great reliability.
At Gitex Global 2025, robots are no longer only test devices; they are confidently navigating around people and companies.
As automation continues to evolve, the boundary between human capability and machine assistance grows thinner, pointing to a future where both human and machine learn and work side by side.