One Compelling Reason to Use Robot Jockeys in Camel Racing

Robots are already replacing humans in various industries like banking, manufacturing, and fast food services. Now, engineers and camel racing enthusiasts in the Middle East are also eager to let robots take the reins in camel racing.

At race tracks near Abu Dhabi, Wadi Run, and Al Ain, you won’t see any human riders on camels galloping around the track. These animals, which reach speeds of up to 25 mph (40 kph) during a race, are controlled by lightweight, 6-lb (2.7-kg) robots. These bots come equipped with makeshift racing uniforms and camel whips, operated remotely by drivers in cars speeding alongside the track.

While the rise of automation in various fields often sparks concerns about the loss of the human touch, in countries like Jordan and Kuwait, the shift to robot jockeys in camel racing is actually a positive change, offering new opportunities in a centuries-old tradition.

The introduction of robot jockeys is putting an end to the once widespread use of child slave labor in camel racing, where children were selected for their small size to ride the camels. This practice was banned in the United Arab Emirates in 2005, and the switch to robots ensures it remains a thing of the past.