10 groundbreaking prototypes from 'Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity' exhibition

Dubai: Once again turning the global spotlight onto breakthrough ideas, the return of 'Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity' brings together 100 cutting-edge university innovations, selected from more than 3,000 submissions worldwide.

Held from November 17–20, the exhibition showcases bold solutions addressing challenges in healthcare, climate resilience, mobility, energy and education. With participants from 120 countries and top-tier universities, the event reinforces Dubai’s role as a launchpad where future-shaping ideas move from the lab into real impact. Here are 10 projects from the region and beyond that stood out:

Air Ring 49 is a lightweight cooling attachment that clips onto any construction helmet, directing airflow to the neck and ears which are the body’s key heat zones. It lowers skin temperature by over 5 degrees Celsius and delivers up to 15 hours of cooling per charge.

“Traditional neck fans touch the skin and trap sweat. Ours is completely contactless,” says team member Jui Wai Hong. Waterproof, impact-proof and already in use in Hong Kong, the team now hopes to expand into the UAE. “We don’t change the helmet’s structure, so safety isn’t affected,” Hong adds.

The Dragonfly Drone is an autonomous aerial robot designed to take on dangerous tasks at height, such as cleaning, drilling and maintenance on complex structures. Its morphing arms allow it to perch on pipes, poles and angled surfaces, giving it far more stability than standard drones. With tilting rotors and advanced controls, it performs high-force tasks without the need for scaffolding, cranes or rope access.

“We designed this drone to tackle jobs that are difficult and risky for humans,” says developer Syed Waqar Hamed. “Current drones can’t manage the reaction forces from tasks like drilling like ours can.” He adds, “Workers won’t lose jobs. They’ll operate the drone safely from the ground instead of putting themselves in danger.”

This system turns leftover food into clean hydrogen using a mix of microalgae and helpful bacteria. Inside special closed tanks, the algae make oxygen and the bacteria quickly use it up, creating the perfect low-oxygen environment needed to produce hydrogen. The setup can generate large amounts of hydrogen, up to 1,600 millilitres per litre, while also capturing carbon dioxide, recycling most nutrients, and creating natural fertiliser. It’s a circular, eco-friendly way to handle food waste and produce green energy at the same time.

“Every year, the UAE produces around three-and-a-half billion tonnes of food waste,” says advisor Dr Ashraf Aly Hassan. “Our system transforms that waste into hydrogen, which can power fuel cells and generate electricity.”

The team is currently testing the technology in Al Ain and working to fix minor chamber leaks before scaling it up for industrial use.

iDSS is a cooperative satellite system designed to detect space debris, track it in real time and automatically manoeuvre to avoid collisions, which is a vital capability as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly crowded.

“Space is getting dangerously congested,” says developer Khaja Faisal Hussain. “There are around 250 million pieces of debris up there, and even a tiny one moving at high speed can destroy a satellite.” The system has been tested in the lab and is now seeking partners for in-orbit trials.

Aeropods are biodegradable capsules planted into soil like seeds. When the ground becomes compacted or waterlogged, they gently burst open to improve aeration and drainage without the need for heavy machinery. As they dissolve, they release a natural bacterial fertiliser that restores soil health.

“We want to rebuild life in the soil, not just add chemicals,” says co-founder Alex Clark. Aeropods can be customised for soils in different regions. “The structure stays the same but what’s inside can change,” he adds.

Sanad is an AI-powered platform that helps parents and therapists assess and support children with autism, with a focus on Arabic-speaking families. It digitises a widely used global assessment and offers the first Arabic-language version, guided by a friendly virtual agent.

For therapy, Sanad uses AR-based games that help track focus, coordination, speech and social interactions. “We want to give families accessible, culturally relevant support,” says team lead Mahmoud Soliman. The platform has already been tested with more than 50 children and shows strong engagement.

Sununu is an AI-powered irrigation system designed to help green desert landscapes. It uses simple soil sensors and weather information to figure out exactly how much water plants need each day. By giving only the right amount, it avoids wasting water through over-watering, evaporation or excess drainage.

“We waste a lot of water in desert farming because plants get more than they need,” Muhammad Subkhi Sadullah, team representative said. “Our system makes sure the soil always has the right amount.”

In early tests in Saudi Arabia, Sununu cut water use by up to 30 per cent while helping plants grow stronger and healthier. The team now aims to turn Sununu into a full startup and partner with major greening projects across the region.

This tiny biodegradable rod delivers targeted radiotherapy directly inside a tumour, killing cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. It also emits a detectable signal, helping doctors see the tumour during treatment.

The rod holds more than 99 percent of its radiation for over 200 hours before safely dissolving and eliminating the need for a second procedure. Early tests show promising results in liver tumours. “We wanted a treatment that targets the cancer without harming the rest of the organ,” says co-developer Yin How Wong. “The goal is a safer, less invasive option for patients.”

Haarf is a modular Arabic literacy system designed for children who struggle with traditional reading methods, including neurodivergent and bilingual learners. It simplifies the script into magnetic building blocks, paired with audio guidance and an AI tutor that offers real-time feedback.

Kids can build, hear and practise letters in a playful, stress-free way. “I wanted to make Arabic easier and less overwhelming, especially for learners like me,” says founder Maroa-Isabell Al-Sahlani. “The goal is confidence, connection and accessible language learning for every child.”