The United Arab Emirates (UAE) robotics company, Micropolis Robotics, announced Tuesday that it has signed a commercial agreement with Pan-African technology business AfricAI Limited to build three specialized unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) models, as well as a multi-year distribution partnership in important African countries.
Micropolis will get $9.3 million for an 18-month development initiative to create autonomous vehicle systems tailored to African operational conditions, according to Investing reports.
The new vehicles will serve public safety and policing, agricultural uses, border surveillance, and remote monitoring tasks.
Despite persistent profitability issues, the company, valued at over $150 million, has seen its stock price rise by more than 209% year to date.
According to market evaluations, the stock may currently be trading at a high level.
Micropolis will manage the platforms’ whole design, development, testing, and validation, taking into account terrain, climate, infrastructure, and operating requirements throughout African regions.
See here: Is AI-powered automated human delivery Africa’s solution to IVF scarcity?
Off-road capability, high-temperature performance, long-range connectivity, and AI-enabled situational awareness are among the key features.
Before being released commercially, the vehicles will go through real-world pilot testing at various African sites.
As part of the agreement, AfricAI, through its subsidiary AfricaAI Technology FZ LLC, will manage a three-year distribution agreement, marketing, and distributing Micropolis autonomous vehicles, including both new and existing M-Patrol models.
AfricAI will have exclusive distribution rights in ECOWAS countries, including South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania.
Micropolis, based in the UAE, specializes in unmanned vehicles, artificial intelligence systems, and smart infrastructure solutions for urban, security, and industrial applications.
AfricAI focuses on spreading AI-powered technology across Africa.
Micropolis has completed a pilot program in Saudi Arabia, testing its UGVs at an ARAMCO refinery and the Riyadh National Power Station.
The project, in conjunction with QSS Robotics and overseen by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, resulted in an order for 270 more robots.
