TOKYO: Forget the flashy humanoids with their gymnastics skills: at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo, the focus was on down-to-earth robots that can deliver post, do the shopping and build a house.
Introducing CarriRo, a delivery robot shaped a bit like a toy London bus with bright, friendly “eyes” on its front that can zip around the streets delivering packages at 6km/h (4 miles per hour).
CarriRo “is designed to roll along the pavements and direct itself via GPS to an address within a two-kilometer radius,” explained Chio Ishikawa, from Sumitomo Corp, which is promoting the robot.
The lucky recipient of the package is sent a code to a smartphone allowing him or her to access CarriRo’s innards and retrieve whatever is inside — post, medicine or a take-away.
Services like this are especially needed in aging Japan. With nearly 28 percent of the population over 65, mobility is increasingly limited and the country is struggling for working-age employees.
Toyota’s HSR (Human Support Robot) may not be an oil painting to look at — standing a meter tall, it looks like a bin with arms — but it can provide vital help for the aged or handicapped at home.
Capable of handling and manoeuvring a variety of objects, it also provides a key interface with the outside world via its Internet-connected screen for a head.
Japan’s manpower shortage is felt especially keenly in the retail and construction sectors and firms at the summit were keen to demonstrate their latest solutions.
Omron showcased a robot that can be programmed to glide around a supermarket and place various items into a basket. Possibly useful for a lazy — or infirm — shopper but more likely to be put to use in a logistics warehouse.
Japan also has difficulty finding staff to stack shelves at its 55,000 convenience stores open 24/7 and here too, robots can fill the gap.
With buildings going up at breakneck pace as Tokyo prepares to welcome the world for the 2020 Olympics, there are construction sites all over the city but not always enough people to work them.
Enter HRP-5P. The snappily named, humanoid-shaped machine certainly has the look of a brawny builder, at 182cm tall and weighing in at 101 kilogrammes.
And HRP-5P is designed to carry out the same construction tasks that humans currently perform — even when left to its own devices.
HRP-5P “can use the same tools as a man, which is why we gave it the shape of a human — two legs, two arms and a head,” explained one of its creators, Kenji Kaneko from the National Advanced Industrial Science and Technology research facility.
Manufacturers were also promoting the latest in talking robots, which are becoming increasingly “intelligent” in their responses.
Sharp’s Robohon, a cute-as-pie humanoid robot standing only 20 centimeters tall, has been employed since last month to recount to tourists the history of the ancient Imperial capital of Kyoto — in English, Japanese or Chinese.
And very popular among Japanese visitors to the World Robot Summit was a robot replica of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, one of the country’s top TV stars.
Created in collaboration with Japanese robotics master Hiroshi Ishiguro, the robot replicates the 85-year-old’s facial expressions almost perfectly but conversation with the machine hardly flows.
“The difficulty is being able to create fluid conversations with different people,” said Junji Tomita, engineer at telecoms giant NTT which is also involved in the project.
“The number of possible responses to an open question is so vast that it is very complicated,” admitted Tomita.
Postman, shopper, builder: In Japan, there’s a robot for that
Postman, shopper, builder: In Japan, there’s a robot for that

- CarriRo “is designed to roll along the pavements and direct itself via GPS to an address within a two-kilometer radius,” explained Chio Ishikawa, from Sumitomo Corp, which is promoting the robot
- The lucky recipient of the package is sent a code to a smartphone allowing him or her to access CarriRo’s innards and retrieve whatever is inside — post, medicine or a take-away
Katy Perry joins Yasalam After-Race Concert lineup at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

DUBAI: US pop icon Katy Perry will bring her chart-topping energy to the UAE for the Yasalam After-Race Concerts, part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in December.
The music star will headline the grand finale on Dec 7 at Etihad Park, with more names still to be announced. The 2024 lineup featured Teddy Swims, Peggy Gou, Maroon 5, Eminem and Muse.
This will not be Perry’s first performance in the UAE. She appeared at Abu Dhabi’s Du Arena for a New Year’s Eve concert in 2017, a private event during the Dubai Airshow in 2015, and the closing ceremony of the World Parachuting Championships in 2012.
Perry achieved global fame with her 2008 breakout hit “I Kissed a Girl,” kicking off a string of chart-toppers including “Firework,” “Teenage Dream,” “Roar” and “Dark Horse.”
Known for vibrant visuals, catchy pop anthems and theatrical performances, she has earned accolades including five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards and a Guinness World Record.
Her 2010 album “Teenage Dream” made history as the first by a female artist to produce five No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
Perry is also a devoted mother after giving birth to Daisy Love Bloom in August 2020, the daughter she shares with her fiance, British actor Orlando Bloom.
The couple, who got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2019, have been open about their journey as parents.
Perry has spoken openly about how motherhood has shifted her perspective, helping her stay grounded amid the whirlwind of fame. She has also given fans glimpses of Daisy’s personality.
“She is a combination of both me and her father … we are fearless with lots of chutzpah and just big characters. So the combination of us both is definitely coming out,” she told People Magazine.
“It’s amazing to see everything new again through a toddler’s eyes.”
In an interview with Access Hollywood, she said: “She’s not shy and she loves to sing. I literally was checking my phone five minutes ago and she has a ukulele in her hands. So she loves music and she loves what mommy does and daddy does and she loves seeing us happy.”
Fragrant tradition: Taif rose oil production season begins

- Local farmer gives insights on production involving up to 550m roses annually
- Meticulous process yields fragrant rose oil and rose water, both of which are widely used for perfuming, culinary applications and other purposes
JEDDAH: The production season for Tola, the renowned Taif rose oil, has begun in Saudi Arabia.
Almost 70 factories and workshops are now operating across the high peaks of Taif’s mountains, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The traditional distillation process is followed to extract and produce more than 80 derivatives of the Taif rose, which enjoy widespread popularity in local and international markets.
The region’s farms produce more than 550 million roses annually, making Tola a distinctive cultural and economic symbol.
According to local farmer Khalaf Al-Tuwairqi, families in the past began rose picking at dawn.
He learned the art of distillation from his father, who had established a traditional workshop on their farm.
In an interview with the SPA, Al-Tuwairqi said that Tola is extracted immediately after harvesting, with 80,000 to 100,000 roses placed each day into special copper pots. The quantity depends on the pot’s capacity and is measured using a scale.
The process begins by lighting a fire beneath the pot to produce steam, which passes through a pipe in the pot’s lid and into a container of water.
This cools and condenses the vapor into droplets, which then flow into a narrow-necked bottle known as “talqiyah,” capable of holding 20 to 35 liters.
The pure rose oil floats at the top of this container.
Al-Tuwairqi added that his ancestors mastered the techniques of rose oil extraction, with one Tola requiring about 70,000 roses.
Traditionally, this was done using fire pits built inside mud-brick structures ranging from one to three meters in length and about one meter in height.
The vapor from rose petals was condensed into liquid form, which dripped into a glass container. The resulting oil was then bottled in small glass vials.
The meticulous process yields fragrant rose oil and rose water, both of which are widely used for perfuming, culinary applications and other purposes.
Elyanna features in new, extended ‘Arcane’ track

DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna has once again joined forces with British rock giants Coldplay to release a new version of “Ma Meilleure Ennemie,” originally performed by Belgian artist Stromae and French singer Pomme. The reimagined track is the standout addition to the extended soundtrack for Season Two of “Arcane,” the hit Netflix animated series based on the League of Legends universe.
Released over the weekend via Riot Games and Virgin Music Group, the extended soundtrack features a star-studded lineup, including Twenty One Pilots, Stray Kids, King Princess, and D4vd. But it is “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” — French for “My Best Enemy” — that has emerged as a breakout anthem, racking up more than 335 million streams on Spotify to date. It now ranks as the second most-streamed song in the history of “Arcane,” behind only JID and Imagine Dragons’ chart-topping hit Enemy from Season One.
“The incredible response our players had to ‘Ma Meilleure Ennemie’ inspired us to create a new version to celebrate the release of ‘Arcane’ Season Two’s extended original soundtrack,” said Maria Egan, global head of music at Riot Games. “Coldplay and Stromae have wanted to collaborate for a long time, and this felt like the perfect opportunity. Chris Martin’s English verse adds a whole new layer to an already iconic track.”
In a statement, Coldplay added: “We love Stromae and Pomme and the beautiful song they wrote for Ekko and Powder. It’s an honor to contribute to this new version and to the ‘Arcane’ and League of Legends universe.”
Meanwhile, Elyanna has been normalizing Arabic lyrics in the Western world throughout her career, taking inspiration from artists including Lana Del Ray and Beyonce, as well as Middle Eastern legend Fayrouz.
The Los Angeles-based singer’s music is a mix of Arabic and Western beats, which she attributes to her multicultural upbringing.
Last month, Elyanna performed live with British band Coldplay during their four-show run in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The music sensation has previously hinted at upcoming projects this year, stating: “The sunrise and the rebirth of the ‘Woledto’ project is just (the) start for the next chapter of 2025. Arabic is the music of the soul and the sun. Grateful for all the talented people that believed in this project and helped with the vision to come to life this tour (sic).”
Milan Design Week 2025: Italian Lebanese entrepreneur Jwana Hamdan presents Al Bustan

- Welcoming forms of Hamdan’s new collection
DUBAI: During Milan Design Week 2025, Jwana Hamdan, the eponymous outdoor design brand founded by the Italian Lebanese entrepreneur, is presenting Al Bustan, a dreamy outdoor furniture collection replete with Arab influences.
Showcased in the heart of Brera, one of Milan’s most iconic districts known for its elegant courtyards and palazzi, Hamdan’s latest collection for Al Bustan, which takes its name from the Arabic name for “flourishing garden,” is called The Wandering Majlis Collection and presents an immersive courtyard installation inspired by the harmonious geometries, woven textiles and lines and symbolism reflective of landscapes and design along the Mediterranean, particularly the Lebanese coast, where Hamdan’s heritage lies.
Hamdan, who moved to Italy with her family when she was just 5, knows her homeland through frequent summer visits. She now has relatives in the UAE, which she has visited often over the last few years. Imbuing her furniture with references from Lebanon and the Arabian Gulf is a way for Hamdan to connect with her Arabic heritage.
“I came up with this collection because I was missing my identity,” Hamdan told Arab News. “Design has become a tool, an art form, with which to express myself. I chose design because I live in the design district in Milan. I am surrounded by the design industry.”
Hamdan’s family has worked in design ever since moving to Italy. Her father worked for a fabrics company and her family runs a company that manufactures products for designers. Hamdan launched her own eponymous label during the coronavirus pandemic. Its inspiration was derived from how people gather, especially in the Middle East.
The welcoming forms of Hamdan’s new furniture collection, with their rich color palette evocative of olive groves and the light found in Lebanon, is akin to an outdoor Arabic majlis designed with Hamdan’s elegant contemporary style. Each piece has been entirely produced in Italy.
The majlis, a traditional gathering space in Arab cultures, is reinterpreted through a series of furnishings made in an iroko wood frame and designed to create spontaneous yet sophisticated meeting places. The majlis sofa is a lounge seat that embodies a simple and authentic outdoor lifestyle, while Maitha, meaning “fertile garden” in Arabic, is an elegant and inviting lounge chair decorated in an evocative floor pattern and colored in deep magenta. The structure of the Maitha is made of iroko wood, while the seat and back cushions are removable. It is available in versions with or without the armrest.
The ghaf table, on the other hand, is named after the drought-tolerant tree that one finds throughout the Arabian Gulf and that also constitutes a symbol of tolerance. Designed by Lorenza Bozzoli, the table features a laser-cut base that reflects the tree’s deep roots to symbolize the strength and the inherent grace found in the natural environment.
Enhancing the collection are the amar and shams coffee tables, named after the words for the moon and the sun in Arabic. Their minimalist design with their circular tops evokes an earthy aesthetic, presenting the idea of oneness with nature and a harmonious lifestyle exemplifying the Arab notion of communal gathering.
“The Italians spend their time gathering in the kitchen while Arabs spend hours upon hours in the majlis area,” said Hamdan. “These pieces were inspired by my memories of Lebanon in the summer, passing time with others while outdoors.”
Amina Muaddi celebrates Paris opening at Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

DUBAI: Jordanian Romanian shoe designer Amina Muaddi took to Instagram to celebrate the opening of her corner shop at the iconic Parisian department store Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche.
“Our first Parisian corner shop at @lebonmarcherivegauche is officially open today!! I’m so delighted to finally have a space of our own in the city where @aminamuaddiofficial was founded and in my favorite department store in Paris! So proud of my team. I hope it becomes your new favorite shopping destination,” she captioned the post.
Muaddi launched her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, approximately one year after departing from her role as co-founder and creative director of luxury footwear label Oscar Tiye.
Her distinct pumps, sling-backs, mules, boots and sandals in an array of vibrant colors and holographic designs have since garnered a loyal checklist of famous fans, including Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber Baldwin.
Last month, Muaddi attended the Maison Alaia Summer/Fall 2025 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.
The footwear designer was spotted wearing an all-black ensemble featuring a sleek leather set with a structured, oversized silhouette. The standout element of her look was a fringe-detailed top that cascaded from her shoulders.
Her hair was slicked back into a bun, complementing her sharp, defined makeup, which featured a bronzed complexion, sculpted brows and a nude glossy lip.
Meanwhile, late last year, Muaddi celebrated a major fashion moment when Beyonce wore her custom Yigit pumps in a teaser for the star’s NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show on Netflix.
Muaddi shared the video on her Instagram Stories. In the clip, the music icon can be seen wearing the satin heels in black and adorned with studs.
In the clip that Beyonce also shared on her Instagram account, the music sensation was seen holding a banjo, a stringed instrument often linked to folk, country, and bluegrass music. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat paired with sleek sunglasses, a colorful patterned cape featuring red and blue hues, and a rhinestone-adorned top. The outfit was completed with black gloves and a black skirt.