From 10–12 November, the DRIFTx exhibition will showcase smart solutions across land, sea, air, and robotics.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, Abu Dhabi will host its first Autonomous Week from 10–15 November 2025.

Organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the event underscores the emirate’s commitment to autonomous mobility and its status as a global hub for smart systems and advanced technologies.

The week-long programme brings together industry leaders, experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore innovations that drive competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainable solutions.

The event kicks off with the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit on 10 November, providing a platform to discuss advancements in smart and autonomous mobility, shape policy, and identify investment opportunities.

From 10–12 November, the DRIFTx exhibition will showcase smart solutions across land, sea, air, and robotics.

RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025, organised by Khalifa University, will also take place during the week, marking its debut in the Middle East and North Africa region, with global teams competing in AI-driven autonomous robotics challenges.

The week concludes with the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, highlighting the future of smart mobility and autonomous transport.

SASC plays a pivotal role in developing Abu Dhabi’s autonomous ecosystem by setting strategic direction, shaping policies, fostering investment, and enabling infrastructure development.

The event highlights the emirate’s readiness to integrate autonomous systems across key sectors, enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

With strong government support, world-class infrastructure, and a flexible regulatory framework, Abu Dhabi continues to lead in research, development, and deployment of smart and autonomous technologies, reinforcing its vision for a knowledge- and innovation-based economy and strengthening its global technological competitiveness.

Sam Alcock, newly appointed CEO of Tenable FEC. (Image source: Tenable FEC)

Oman-based Tenable Fire Engineering Consultancy (FEC) has appointed Sam Alcock as chief executive officer, as it targets 30% growth this year

Alcock joined the specialist fire and life safety consultancy in 2011 as a fire consultant and was appointed Dubai director in 2016. He has been instrumental in positioning Tenable FEC as a trusted fire engineering partner across the GCC and internationally, expanding the consultancy’s footprint in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Africa and India while maintaining strong profitability and client relationships. In his new role he will have a strong focus on scaling operations in existing markets and developing new regional and international opportunities.

In 2024, Tenable FEC recorded a 25% increase in revenue, delivering over 540 projects valued at US$6mn, spanning mixed-use and hospitality developments and pre- and post-contract fire engineering services for high-end projects such as those along the Dubai Water Canal. So far in 2025, the consultancy has been awarded projects worth US$4.2mn. With Tenable FEC now Salamah-approved in Saudi Arabia and the local office fully operational, the consultancy is targeting 30% growth this year, driven by large-scale infrastructure and masterplanning projects.

Alcock said, “It’s a privilege to be awarded the role of CEO at such a pivotal time for the business. Our team has built a strong foundation for growth and I look forward to continuing this momentum. My focus will be on expanding our capabilities, enhancing service delivery and strengthening our reputation as a leader in fire and life safety consultancy.”

Founded in Oman in 2010, Tenable Fire Engineering Consultancy provides a comprehensive range of high-quality, fire and life safety services, including code consulting, fire system design, performance-based fire design and third-party verification within the built environment. With offices in Muscat, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and London, the company executes regional and international projects of any size in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. The team approach projects with leading talent and innovative technologies while adhering to international best practices, design codes and standards.

The range covers all applications from residential to industrial environments

Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection (Teledyne GFD) gas has launched its new MethaSense range of battery-powered methane detectors, comprising three models using cutting-edge NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensor technology for reliable and precise methane detection

MethaSense, designed for residential and commercial applications, is a compact, wireless natural gas detector with a range of 0-5 % volume, featuring accurate detection without false alarms, and immediate alerts through integrated audible and visual alarms. With progressive signal processing algorithms, MethaSense detects, alarms and monitors methane at concentrations as low as 10% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for enhanced safety. Optional wireless (LoRaWAN) connectivity enables real-time gas detection visualisation, providing clear, actionable insights.

MethaSense XP is engineered for industrial environments where robust performance and reliability are essential. MethaSense XP’s rugged design and reliable detection capabilities ensure worker safety and operational continuity, especially in areas where maintenance access is limited.

It combines the same advanced NDIR sensor technology with enhanced durability and wireless communication options, including LoRaWAN, NB-IoT and Bluetooth. MethaSense XP again features audible and visual alarms, while its 10+ year battery autonomy and immunity to corrosion and saturation make the detector ideal for continuous safety monitoring in demanding conditions. With ATEX and IECEx certifications, MethaSense XP operates reliably in hazardous zones.

MethaSense Trace is a high-performance methane detector for LDAR (leak detection and repair) and utility applications, where accurate and autonomous methane monitoring is essential for regulatory compliance and environmental protection. A rugged build with IP67 ingress protection rating for outdoor use ensure uninterrupted performance in harsh conditions, reducing operational risks and maintenance costs.

With exceptional methane sensitivity, it provides 10× higher methane selectivity than previous-generation sensors, with a detection range that extends from 50 ppm to 100% volume for both low-emission environmental monitoring and high-concentration safety thresholds.

The detector delivers 24/7 methane emission monitoring, detection and quantification across large-scale industrial sites. By combining real-time sensing, cloud-based analytics and automated reporting, MethaSense Trace enables operators to detect, localise and measure methane emissions with precision. This not only helps reduce emissions but also ensures full compliance with new methane regulations.

“NDIR technology, as utilised by all three detectors in our new MethaSense series, offers high selectivity, fast response times and long-term reliability,” explained Régis Prevost, product line manager, Teledyne GFD. “Users benefit from natural gas detectors that provide a low-maintenance, cost-effective, versatile solution for continuous methane monitoring, supported by key features that include up to 10+ years of battery life, zero recalibration requirements, wireless connectivity options, and suitability for smart infrastructure and safety-critical environments.”

Movicon.NExT now offers native Python runtime scripting

Emerson has announced the release of Movicon.NExT™ Version 4.4, the latest update to its modern human-machine interface (HMI) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) platform.

Designed for discrete and process manufacturing, as well as commercial, industrial, and municipal or utility sectors, the platform enables users to create interoperable automation architectures.

The new version introduces performance, functionality, and flexibility enhancements, with a focus on improving user experience and development efficiency.

Enhanced communications and drivers

Version 4.4 delivers updated industrial communication protocol drivers for OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, and others, now supporting multi-station setups and advanced arrays. A newly introduced DNP3 driver allows seamless integration with power industry and electrical utility networks. Optimised I/O operations aggregate read/write tags more efficiently, increasing throughput, while the platform’s open connectivity ensures straightforward integration with digital assets.

Scripting and development upgrades

Movicon.NExT now offers native Python runtime scripting, allowing developers to implement custom, cross-platform logic and build on proven solutions. Updated graphical properties for controls, refined user interfaces, and simplified license management (whether local or network-based) streamline workflows, accelerating project creation.

Improved data management

The historian now supports TimescaleDB, delivering higher performance and improved storage efficiency, particularly with large data sets. Enhancements also boost data precision and SQL database compatibility. Recipe and alarm management are centralised through a single connection, enabling better coordination. These improvements address the rising demand for data-driven visualisation and analytics in industrial automation.

Strengthened security and compliance

Emerson has fully migrated Movicon.NExT core applications to .NET 8, ensuring better performance and long-term support. Unified and encrypted password management is applied across the platform, while CFR21 compliance has been enhanced by logging user group information alongside usernames. These upgrades aim to safeguard digital systems and help users meet regulatory requirements.

Integration-ready platform enhancements

Companion modules such as Pro.Lean™ and Pro.Energy™ have also been updated to Version 4.4. Improvements include an enhanced user interface, upgraded navigation, new library symbols, and grouping and overview screens, supporting better visibility and control.

By combining openness, high performance, and integration readiness, Movicon.NExT Version 4.4 provides a robust foundation for modern automation architectures. It offers end users, system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers the tools to create innovative and efficient automation solutions while maintaining ease of use and flexibility.