Sustainability is the new trend across industries at a time when climate change has forced the authorities to rethink their priorities, and look for clean alternatives to fossil fuels. In this era, oil rich countries in the gulf have also taken a detour towards renewable energy sources, and are exploring digital innovation to fuel the economy.

The need for smart gadgets, demand for cloud computing and potential in space tech has prompted major corporations in the Middle East to tie-up with global peers for providing futuristic services. After joining hands with online giant Google to offer cloud-based solutions in Saudi Arabi, oil producer Aramco has now provided a boost for a Chinese startup that builds robotic medical equipment.

Driven by a vision to help patients get back to their feet after injuries or conditions that affect everyday movement, the company builds exoskeletons backed by AI and algorithms. Their wearable gloves use robotics to train people for restoring function in upper arms, and another gadget mimics daily activity in joints, to help people return to normalcy.

For more advanced assistance, Fourier has also introduced a mechanism that latches on to the legs, and uses machine learning to make sure patients can walk again. All of these devices are also backed by a rehabilitation hub, which collects information on progress so that doctors can create personalised strategies for each individual.

The company which started its innovation over fiver years back, now enjoys a presence in about 50 countries and has been adopted by 1000 institutions. Aramco is just one among many state-backed firms in the gulf, which are backing high-tech solutions in mobility, fintech as well as medtech.

Aramco has also been working on technology that captures carbon emissions from cars and reuses it.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia was the first to give citizenship to a humanoid which was created in Hong Kong, and has now gone into mass production. The kingdom is currently in the news for deploying droids to assist pilgrims and even distribute holy water during the annual Hajj.