After a break of two years, Comex 2022, the annual IT event, is taking place as the country has been making rapid strides in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), e-commerce, digital banking, governance and smart offices.
"Some of these projects are need of the hour. It simply reflects how the world has evolved during the two years of the pandemic'', said an executive of a company promoting technologies for smart offices.
Telecom major, Omantel, introduced the eDhukan smart store powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which has been operational at its headquarters in Madinat al Irfan.
The store is equipped with more than smart cameras and smart shelves that will capture shoppers' movements in the aisles and track the products placed in their baskets. Customers' mobile wallets will be debited for the items purchased as they walk out of the store, and a receipt sent to them electronically, providing them with an enhanced queue-free, cashless and grab-and-go shopping experience.
Speaking to the 'Observer', Wadee bin Murthada al Lawati, Senior Manager, ICT business development, Omantel, "This concept store was on display at Dubai Expo Venue and several multinational companies have installed it for their employees."
He added, "We have been getting expressions of interest from companies who want to install these smart stores for the benefit of their employees, offering sandwiches, beverages and other essentials."
Bank Muscat has launched its new self-service kiosks, which will be soon available at some locations in the country.
Asma of the cards division said that with these kiosks, customers can print their new or supplementary debit cards without going to the branch. "The kiosks are one its kind and can be seen as a virtual bank."
Meanwhile, construction is under way to build a manufacturing plant in Al Suwaiq for Sultanate of Oman's first electric car, which was unveiled at Comex 2022 in Muscat on Monday.
Speaking to the 'Observer', Sultan al Amri, Executive Chairman, Nur Majan, said that lots of efforts and money have been invested to set up this plant, which has certain challenges due to the geographical terrain of the location.
As per the prototype presented at Comex 2022, the car will be designed to go from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds, roll for 2,250 miles on a single electrical charge and go for 21 years without any maintenance.
Al Amri said, "We have made some updates to the prototype over the past two years and the specific timeline cannot be given as there are still some obstacles to be cleared. Following the Comex, the car will be on display from May 26 at the Al Araimi Boulevard in Al-KhoudH."
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