Uni researchers in the United Arab Emirates (from New York University Abu Dhabi and Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi) have experimented with Akida for neuromorphic AI-based robotics - the field our CTO Dr. Tony Lewis is an expert in:
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Four Bachelor of Computer Engineering students from Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University recently used Akida for their Senior Design Project titled “SNN-based Object Tracking using DVS Data”:
Senior Design Project Showcase | Khalifa University Proud to present the final outcome of our Senior Design Project: “SNN-based Object Tracking using DVS Data” This project brought together our passion for neuromorphic computing to create a real-time, low-power gesture tracking system using...
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Future work will include “Benchmark on other neuromorphic chips (e.g. Intel Loihi)”.
Their supervisor was Athanasios (Thanos) Stouraitis, a Professor in Khalifa University’s Computer and Information Engineering Department.
Dr. Thanos Stouraitis joined Khalifa University as Professor and Chair of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department in 2015.
www.ku.ac.ae
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While we know of a number of researchers (Jorge Dias, Fakhreddine Zayer) and students at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University that have been exploring Akida

, others there have been researching neuromorphic sensors and processors by the SynSense Group (“the world’s first fully neuromorphic, end-to-end sensing and processing company”, cf.
https://www.synsense.ai/synsense-an...orm-leading-neuromorphic-technology-provider/), which was created when Synsense acquired iniVation last year.
Today, Khalifa University announced a strategic collaboration between its spin-off Kumrah AI, a deep-tech startup from the Advanced Research and Innovation Center (ARIC), and Zurich-based iniVation.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding is “
aimed at establishing a global joint venture to develop and commercialize advanced neuromorphic vision-based inspection and autonomy systems (…)
The partnership will focus on creating cutting-edge AI-powered hardware and software solutions for industrial and aerospace applications, with plans to localize technologies for the MENA region* and scale them globally. (…)
The joint venture that consolidates each party’s technological, commercial, and operational strengths
will focus on developing and deploying neuromorphic sensors, processors, and adaptive software tailored for industrial inspection, quality assurance, and autonomous decision-making. The partners will also collaborate on system design, prototype development, and technical validation for key industry verticals, while jointly identifying funding sources and commercial opportunities.
*MENA region = Middle East and North Africa
I'm pleased to announce that we are moving ahead with a key initiative to bring high-performance neuromorphic technology to solving real-world problems in industrial inspection. Looking forward to working closely with our partners at Advanced Research and Innovation Center Khalifa University...
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MoU Signed at ‘Make it in the Emirates’ to Drive Regional and Global Commercialization of Advanced AI-Powered Systems Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced a strategic collaboration between its spin-off Kumrah Artificial Intelligence (AI), a deep-tech startup from the...
www.synsense.ai
Khalifa University Spin-off Kumrah AI and iniVation, a SynSense Group company, to Launch Neuromorphic Tech Joint Venture
2025-05-29
By Christy Aerne
MoU Signed at ‘Make it in the Emirates’ to Drive Regional and Global Commercialization of Advanced AI-Powered Systems
Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced a strategic collaboration between its spin-off Kumrah Artificial Intelligence (AI), a deep-tech startup from the Advanced Research and Innovation Center (ARIC) and Swiss neuromorphic technology leader iniVation, a SynSense Group company, aimed at establishing a global joint venture to develop and commercialize advanced neuromorphic vision-based inspection and autonomy systems.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Hussain Sajwani, CEO, Kumrah AI, and Dr. Kynan Eng, Chief Commercial Officer, iniVation/SynSense, in the presence of Her Excellency Amal Al Jaberi, CEO, Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC), and Dr. Abdelqader Abusafieh, SVP, Technology & Advanced Materials, Strata, Mubadala, during ‘Make it in the Emirates’ 2025. The MoU underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering strategic, innovation-driven industrial partnerships that align with its ambition to be a global leader in AI.
Her Excellency Amal Al Jaberi, said: “This collaboration demonstrates Khalifa University’s and KUEC’s role in turning deep research into deployable solutions. By facilitating strategic partnerships through spin-offs like Kumrah AI from the Advanced Research and Innovation Center, we are strengthening the UAE’s leadership in frontier technologies while supporting economic diversification. As the country accelerates its position as a global hub for artificial intelligence, initiatives like this joint venture will help translate emerging research into scalable, market-ready solutions that benefit both local and international industries.”
Hussain Sajwani said: “Signing the MoU at Make it in the Emirates 2025, a platform that provides emerging technology startups the necessary momentum, also reflects Kumrah AI’s commitment to contribute to the UAE’s ambition to be a global leader in AI. Our collaboration with IniVation prepares Kumrah AI to play a defining role in the next wave of AI-driven technologies. We believe the synergy resulting from this partnership will firmly place us among future technology leaders in this arena, positioning the UAE at the forefront of next-generation computing technology.”
Dr. Ning Qiao, CEO, iniVation (a SynSense Group company), and Dr. Kynan Eng, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Over the years we have been working to bring neuromorphic technology to real-world applications, we have evaluated many developments by customers all over the world. Our decision to collaborate with Kumrah AI and KUEC is based on our conviction that, together with our partners, we have all of the ingredients required to succeed in global markets in aviation, energy, and other industries. We are looking forward to moving forward rapidly together, to bring the benefits of our combined technology and expertise to our customers.”
The partnership will focus on creating cutting-edge AI-powered hardware and software solutions for industrial and aerospace applications, with plans to localize technologies for the MENA region and scale them globally. The joint venture will combine Kumrah’s access to licensed intellectual property and commercialization pathways with iniVation’s neuromorphic vision systems and technical expertise. IniVation is a Swiss firm affiliated with SynSense, together forming a world leader in neuromorphic sensing and processing technologies.
The joint venture that consolidates each party’s technological, commercial, and operational strengths will focus on developing and deploying neuromorphic sensors, processors, and adaptive software tailored for industrial inspection, quality assurance, and autonomous decision-making. The partners will also collaborate on system design, prototype development, and technical validation for key industry verticals, while jointly identifying funding sources and commercial opportunities.
Kumrah AI will lead commercialization and system integration in the MENA region, engaging with local customers, regulators, and partners to ensure successful market deployment. The company will also coordinate workforce development, and regional stakeholder engagement. IniVation will serve as the technical lead, contributing proprietary neuromorphic vision technologies, hardware platforms, and software tools. It will also spearhead global R&D, facilitate knowledge transfer and training, and drive expansion into international markets including Europe, North America, and Asia.
About Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC)
Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC), a fully owned subsidiary of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, was established to strategically commercialize intellectual property and assets from Khalifa University and beyond.
For more information visit:
https://www.ku.ac.ae/kuec/
About IniVation AG
iniVation AG is a member of the SynSense Group. The group designs and produces advanced sensors and processors for applications in consumer electronics, industrial automation, aerospace, and other markets.
For more information visit:
https://www.inivation.com and
https://www.synsense.ai
About Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the UAE’s top-ranked research-intensive institution, focuses on developing world leaders and critical thinkers in science, engineering and health science. The world-class university endeavors to be a catalyst to the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy as an education destination of choice and a global leader among widely acknowledged international universities.
For more information visit:
http://www.ku.ac.ae/
The gentleman standing next to iniVation/SynSense CCO Kynan Eng in the released photo is Yahya Zweiri, Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Khalifa University, Director of Khalifa University’s Advanced Research & Innovation Centre (ARIC) and one of the co-founders of Kumrah AI.
Dr. Yahyan Zweiri is an Associate Professor of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Khalifa University.
www.ku.ac.ae
www.xpanse.world
Not much information is yet available about Kumrah AI - the website
https://www.kumrah.ai/ is still more or less in stealth mode…
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But here is a short video from the recent ‘Make it in the Emirates’ Exhibition featuring Kumrah AI as one of three Khalifa University spin-offs:
Visualize it, then actualize it
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