CNTXT AI plans several robotics data facilities in the United Arab Emirates, with one expected to open in November 2026 for physical AI work, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Abu Sheikh told The National.
The National also reported that CNTXT AI plans to spend up to $50 million on robotics hardware, distribution and facilities across the United States and Middle East. The newspaper said a company release described 30,000 square feet of robotics data facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Separately, CNTXT AI’s careers page describes a Dubai collection facility and says the company is preparing another site with the aim of roughly doubling monthly delivered hours. The page gives no location or opening date for that site, and does not identify it as part of the UAE expansion reported by The National.
CNTXT AI says its second site is intended to raise monthly delivery capacity.
In an Oct. 19 release, CNTXT AI said it has dedicated robotics training facilities and a data collection network covering more than 300 use cases. The release did not specify UAE locations or opening dates. The company argues that physical AI systems need varied examples tied to real tasks, which simulations alone do not provide.
CNTXT AI says its robotics datasets use footage of people doing routine work, annotated to identify actions and objects. The company says workers consent before recording, staff review submissions and accepted hours are paid. It also argues that footage gathered in active workplaces can expose models to changing conditions that controlled demonstrations may miss.
Asked by The National whether the planned sites would support the UAE’s AI sovereignty goals, Abu Sheikh replied, “Absolutely 100 per cent.” The National reported that at least one planned UAE facility is expected to begin operating in November 2026.
