Estonian robotics company Cleveron helped UAE telco Etisalat set up an autonomous telecoms store in Dubai.

Cleveron specialises in creating robotic parcel technology to automate last-kilometre click-and-collect operations. Cleveron and Span, a systems integration innovator, helped establish Ease (Etisalat Autonomous Store Experience), an AI-powered autonomous telecoms store.

Etisalat had a mission to overhaul the in-store retail experience, with a primary focus on creating autonomous stores that grant customers access to telecom services without the need for agent interactions.

In this initiative, Etisalat joined hands with Dubai-based Span to integrate Cleveron parcel robots into its systems. This has streamlined the entire process through Span’s proprietary S4-Inventory module, effectively linking Etisalat’s system with Cleveron’s backend system.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with industry leaders like Etisalat, who are dedicated to offering their customers cutting-edge innovations,” said Cleveron board member Ott Pabut. “Retail experience with no queues and inconveniences is the new norm. At Cleveron, we strive to create comprehensive solutions that maximise efficiency while providing seamless digital interaction for consumers. Together with Etisalat and Span Group, we bring that vision to Dubai as a group of like-minded industry innovators.”

Elias Bitar, Span’s product manager, added: “The Cleveron smart dispensing system [SDS] ensures a swift and efficient fulfilment process, allowing Etisalat customers to effortlessly collect their ordered items from the SDS dispensing window following their recognition by an advanced facial recognition system or using customer Ease QR code. The Cleveron parcel robot offers a personalised and secure experience, while its internal robotic handling unit retrieves and delivers orders within seconds, optimising the retail process for a seamless and efficient customer journey.”

This collaboration represents a leap forward in customer-centric retail experiences. It is said to offer convenience, efficiency and security to Etisalat customers, setting standards for retail in the telecommunications industry.

Etisalat (www.etisalat.ae), also known as e&, is a UAE telco expanding beyond core telecoms services with health, insurance and gaming.

Span (www.span-group.com) is a consultant and provider of systems and equipment for distribution centres, supply chains and workplaces. Since 1989, it has implemented innovations to a spectrum of end users in the region, including 3PL, FMCG, military, government, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and hospitality industries. Span has a multilingual team of over 300 members, a regional market presence – including the UAE, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Qatar – and projects executed in more than 20 countries around the world.

Cleveron (cleveron.com) is an Estonian technology company specialising in developing and producing parcel robots, with machines deployed in 51 countries.