Aramco has partnered with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team and World Robot Olympiad to launch the Aramco Innovation Award, a new global honor recognizing excellence in robotics design and technology.

The award aims to inspire and reward young innovators who excel in creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking and technical skills.

The first Aramco Innovation Award will be presented at the 2024 World Robot Olympiad international final, which will take place from Nov. 28-30 in İzmir, Turkiye.

It will be given to the winning team of the future innovators category (senior age group). More than 5,500 teams and 15,000 students from around the world will compete for the award.

At the international final, 48 teams from 45 countries are eligible to win.

The prize includes an exclusive Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team Innovation Experience, which features a tour of the AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone, the home of British motorsport.

Khalid A. Al-Zamil, Aramco vice president of public affairs, said: “We’re excited to launch the Aramco Innovation Award as part of our dedication to developing future science, technology, engineering and math innovators. By partnering with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team and World Robot Olympiad, we aim to inspire young minds to explore new possibilities in robotics and encourage the next generation of STEM careers.”

Luca Furbatto, engineering director, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team, said: “We are thrilled to work with our partner Aramco to offer this insightful tour of our technology campus in Silverstone to the winners of the Aramco Innovation Award. It allows students the chance to see how a Formula One® team operates, and we expect it will help to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers through STEM opportunities.”

The Aramco Innovation Award celebrates young innovators who use robotics to address real-world challenges. By recognizing these achievements, Aramco and its partners are investing in future technology leaders who will help to shape the technologies of tomorrow’s world.

Claus Ditlev Christensen, secretary general of WRO, said: “Introducing the Aramco Innovation Award at this year’s WRO international final represents our ongoing mission to inspire young innovators. This collaboration with Aramco and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team gives students an extraordinary chance to experience the latest technology. We believe these future leaders have the potential to drive the next wave of advancements in robotics.”

RIYADH: UAE consumer spending saw robust growth in the third quarter of 2024, with total expenditures reaching $3.7 billion across fast-moving consumer goods, technology, and durable products, new data showed. 

This represents a 4.8 percent year-on-year increase, reflecting the market’s resilience and evolving consumer habits, according to the latest NielsenIQ Retail Spend Barometer, powered by GfK intelligence. The index provides quarterly insights into UAE spending across FMCG and technical consumer goods. 

The FMCG sector spearheaded growth, achieving $2.1 billion in sales during the third quarter, a 6.4 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the technology and durable goods sector contributed $1.5 billion, marking a 2.5 percent year-on-year increase.   

Strong back-to-school sales  

The quarter’s performance was bolstered by back-to-school promotions, the expansion of convenience retail, and the ongoing rise of digital shopping platforms. QuickCommerce services and online grocery delivery gained traction, especially among younger, tech-savvy consumers. 

David Cantatore, retail lead NIQ Middle East, said: “In the third quarter 2024, we’ve witnessed sustained growth in UAE’s retail landscape, with strong consumer spending driven by targeted promotions and increased demand in both FMCG and tech sectors.” 

He added: “The growth of new communities is fueling convenience retail, while online grocery shopping is reshaping the landscape, especially among younger and busy professionals. This digital evolution demonstrates the market’s appetite to adapt and thrive in response to changing consumer preferences.”   

FMCG outpaces tech   

The FMCG sector demonstrated a strong recovery, with year-on-year growth rising from 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2023 to 6.4 percent a year later. This resurgence followed a notable slowdown earlier in the year, when growth declined from 9.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 3.5 percent in the corresponding period of 2024. 

In contrast, the tech and durable goods sector faced a significant slowdown, as growth dropped from 7.7 percent in the third quarter of 2023 to 2.5 percent in 2024. However, back-to-school promotions and new product launches, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24, helped sustain consumer interest.  

Retail evolution  

The rise of new residential communities across the UAE has driven the expansion of convenience retail, encouraging more frequent but smaller shopping trips. This trend aligns with an increasing preference for sustainable and healthier products, supported by the rapid adoption of digital grocery platforms. 

“The positive growth we’re seeing across both sectors reflects the UAE’s dynamic retail environment and strong consumer confidence,” Cantatore said. 

He added: “As we continue to witness the evolution of shopping behaviors and the rise of digital solutions, the retail sector remains well-positioned for sustained growth and innovation.” 

Digital trade in the UAE is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12.3 percent between 2023 and 2028, fueled by the increasing adoption of “buy now, pay later” models and advanced fintech systems. 

A joint report released in May by the Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce highlighted that over 40 percent of UAE consumers rely on innovative payment solutions, underscoring the nation’s rapid shift toward digital commerce.