Thumbay labs launches COVID-19 testing, sample collection centers in Dubai
Dubai: Thumbay Labs, one of the largest networks of CAP-accredited private diagnostic labs in the region owned by Thumbay Group, has launched COVID-19 testing under authorization by the Ministry of Health (MOH), UAE, augmenting the Coronavirus testing facilities of the country. Sample collection centers have been set up at all Thumbay Hospitals and Clinics located at Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah. Timings are from 9am to 6pm.
To avail the testing facility, patients may walk in or book an appointment by calling the respective sample collection centers at the Thumbay hospitals and Thumbay clinics, or by contacting the Customer Care number of Thumbay Labs 04 6030555 or 05 66806455 (WhatsApp). People need to bring their valid Emirates ID to proceed with the test.
The UAE is among the leading countries of the world in terms of number of diagnostic tests conducted for coronavirus detection. The WHO has already acknowledged the UAE’s status as the country with the most per capita testing numbers. We are happy that Thumbay Labs and Thumbay Hospitals are active participants in the UAE’s fight against the global pandemic.
‘’Humanity is facing unprecedented challenge from COVID-19 pandemic. In the war against novel coronavirus, lab testing plays a very important role. We, at Thumbay Labs, are committed to lead from the front in this war. Thumbay Labs, known for speed and accuracy of reports, will strive tirelessly to provide quality COVID-19 lab testing for the UAE’s population,’’ said Dr. Nasir Parwaiz, Director, Thumbay Labs.
Thumbay Labs, accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), is the first network of diagnostic labs in the region featuring Total Lab Automation. With ultramodern equipments & highly qualified professionals, Thumbay Labs offer more than 1500 routine and special tests, with a number of affordable health check panels for everyone. They also provide fast online reports.
People can call on Thumbay Labs on: 04 6030555 / 05 66806455 (WhatsApp).
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AI-powered robotic canal cleaning system commissioned in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) (PTI): In a major step to phase out manual scavenging and ensure the safety of sanitation workers, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation commissioned G-Spider, an AI-powered robotic canal-cleaning system, at the Amayizhanchan canal near the railway station premises at Thampanoor here, officials said on Thursday.
The system was launched by Minister for Local Self-Governments MB Rajesh at a function presided over by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor VV Rajesh on Wednesday.
The AI-powered canal cleaning project is a joint initiative of the city corporation and Technopark-based Genrobotic Innovations, which developed Bandicoot, a robotic scavenger.
As per the agreement, Genrobotics will bear the full cost of deploying the robotic system, while the corporation will supervise its operation and maintenance.
Speaking at the event, the minister said Genrobotics has set an example of how innovative ideas can be transformed into impactful entrepreneurship.
He said that of the seven compressed biogas (CBG) plants to be commissioned in the state for solid waste management, one will be set up in the state capital.
Rajesh said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the Rs 100-crore CBG plant at Brahmapuram in Kochi on February 28, adding that 90 per cent of the nine lakh metric tonne of accumulated waste at the site has already been removed.
He further said work on the Palakkad plant will be completed in February, while construction of another plant in Thrissur is progressing, and a plant at Changanassery is in the pipeline.
The minister added that the construction of four sanitary plants will be inaugurated next week.
In his address, the mayor reiterated the corporation’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for waste management and lauded the Genrobotics team, stating that the civic body would explore all possible ways to utilise the company’s technology.
Repeated manual cleaning efforts in the area had led to serious safety incidents, including the death of sanitation worker Joy in 2024.
In this backdrop, the corporation initiated the deployment of robotic cleaning technology in strict compliance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, with the aim of eliminating human entry into hazardous canal-cleaning operations, officials said.
Corporation Deputy Mayor Asha Nath GS, Divisional Railway Manager Divyakant Chandrakar, and Genrobotic Innovations CEO and co-founder Vimal Govind MK were present on the occasion.
G-Spider is designed to operate in complex, high-risk canal environments without requiring human entry.
Built on a cable-driven parallel robotics architecture integrated with AI-enabled vision and sensor systems, the robotic platform enables precise detection, assessment and removal of accumulated waste.
The system uses machine vision and intelligent sensors to autonomously identify and assess waste in real time, dynamically adapting to varying waste types, water flow conditions and structural constraints within canals, officials said.
Guided by AI-driven vision algorithms, the robotic mechanism performs precise waste extraction through a five-degrees-of-freedom configuration, enabling accurate positioning, stable gripping, and reliable debris removal.
The extracted waste is automatically transferred to designated collection vehicles, enabling a fully hands-free, end-to-end canal cleaning process from detection to disposal, they added.
