The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), part of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has partnered with NVIDIA to launch the Middle East’s first Joint Lab dedicated to both artificial intelligence and robotics. The collaboration establishes a first-of-its-kind hub in the region for developing next-generation AI models, robotics platforms, and humanoid technologies that aim to accelerate innovation across industries.
The announcement of the TII-NVAITC (NVIDIA AI Technology Centre) Joint Lab for AI and Robotics was made during a signing ceremony held at TII’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, bringing together senior leaders from both organisations. The agreement was signed by Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII and Marc Domenech, Regional Director, Enterprise – META Region at NVIDIA, in the presence of His Excellency Shahab Abu Shahab, Director General of ATRC; His Excellency Abdulaziz AlDosari, Executive Director of ATRC; John Josephakis; Global VP of Sales and Business Development for HPC/Supercomputing at NVIDA, and Simon See, Global Head Nvidia AI Technology Centre at NVIDIA.
Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said: “This collaboration with NVIDIA marks a major step toward building AI-enhanced robotic systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting in complex environments. By combining our advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models and compute, we are accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language – laying the foundation for a new era of intelligent machines.”
The TII-NVAITC Joint Lab will integrate NVIDIA accelerated computing platforms and expertise with TII’s multidisciplinary research in AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing. It is the first NVAITC lab established in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone for the region. The organisations aim to accelerate the development of intelligent systems with real-world applications, advancing the field of Physical AI through embodied AI models, state-of-the-art robotics and humanoid stacks, and hardware designed for real-time robotic systems. Research will span robotic learning and control at scale, as well as the development and integration of large language models, including TII’s Falcon family of AI models – among them the Middle East’s first and largest AI models.
Carlo Ruiz, Vice President - Enterprise Solutions & Operations EMEA at NVIDIA, said: “The launch of the TII-NVAITC for AI and Robotics marks a new chapter in our global NVAITC network. By working with TII in Abu Dhabi, we are expanding the scope of these centres into robotics for the first time in the Middle East - helping researchers and innovators accelerate breakthroughs that will shape the future of intelligent systems.”
The lab forms part of TII’s broader strategy to advance applied AI and robotics that deliver real-world impact. At its core is a commitment to open innovation and global knowledge exchange, with TII and NVIDIA collaborating on research, open-source initiatives, and cross-network learning through the global NVAITC community. The lab also builds on TII’s existing modular robotic platforms and field-tested components, including robotic arms and delivery dogs, prioritising research that is grounded in both technical excellence and practical readiness.
