The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, has partnered with U.S.-based NVIDIA to open the Middle East’s first joint laboratory dedicated to artificial intelligence and robotics. The TII–NVAITC Joint Lab for AI and Robotics was unveiled at a signing ceremony in Abu Dhabi, establishing a regional hub to advance next-generation AI models, robotics platforms, and humanoid technologies.
The collaboration integrates NVIDIA’s accelerated computing expertise with TII’s multidisciplinary research in AI, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing. It marks the first NVIDIA AI Technology Centre (NVAITC) in the Middle East and underscores Abu Dhabi’s long-term strategy to build technological sovereignty and strengthen its position as a global AI and robotics leader.
TII said the lab will focus on “physical AI,” combining advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models to develop intelligent systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting in complex environments. Research will cover large language models, including TII’s Falcon AI family, as well as scalable robotic learning, control systems, and hardware for real-time robotic applications.
Senior representatives from both organisations attended the signing, including TII CEO Dr. Najwa Aaraj and NVIDIA executives Marc Domenech and Carlo Ruiz. They highlighted the partnership as a key step in accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language to create next-generation intelligent machines.
The initiative builds on TII’s existing robotic platforms—such as modular robotic arms and autonomous delivery systems—while promoting open innovation and cross-network learning through the global NVAITC community. It also complements the UAE’s recent US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a central player in the global robotics ecosystem.
By merging cutting-edge AI research with state-of-the-art robotics, the TII–NVIDIA lab aims to deliver real-world applications across industries, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and advanced mobility, positioning Abu Dhabi as a key hub for AI-driven innovation.
–Input WAM
