The Middle East is home to some of the world's finest innovations that have revolutionized and will continue to revolutionize the way things are being done every single day.
There is so much going on inside the region, other than the tallest buildings and fine tourism. Here is your ultimate guide to the best of Middle East innovation:
1. Dubai is home to the world's first 3-D printing office
This is a milestone for the UAE, considering the office opened its doors a month after the launch of Dubai’s 3-D Printed Strategy, which aims to make the UAE and Dubai the leading global center of 3-D printing by 2030. The strategy covers three mains sectors including construction, medical products, and consumer products.
2. Revolutionary Lebanese startup Instabeat brought tech into the swimming world
As an avid swimmer, Lebanese Hind Hobeika launched Instabeat, a waterproof monitor for swimmers that tracks, stores and displays instant feedback of your heart rate to optimize your performance. Hobeika was a contestant on the Qatar-based Stars of Science ajd later won big at 2012 MIT Enterprise Forum before launching her startup. During the 2012 Olympics, her product was tested by 15 Olympic swimmers.
3. Regional augmented-reality wearable Atheer Glasses competing head on with Google glass
Soulaiman Itani founded Atheer augmented-reality wearable glasses which was out on the market head to head with Google glass. As opposed to Google, Itani’s glasses display augmented reality in three dimensions rather than two. His previous work includes designing cancer tests and treatments and creating models for robotics. Prior to that, he received his masters of science and doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT.
4. Band Industries's Roadie Tuner brings guitar tuning into the 21st century
Born and raised in Beirut, Bassam Jalgha co-founded Band Industries and officially launched Roadie Tuner, an automatic tuner and string winder for guitarists.
The region’s leading app-based car booking service has partnered up with NEXT Future Transportation to bring battery-powered, self-driving pods to the MENA region.
6. Anghami introduces Arab world to legal online music
Hailing from Lebanon, Edyy Maroun and Elie Habib co-founded Anghami, the region’s first music streaming platform, providing the largest music library from major Arabic labels including Rotana and Platinum Records. Anghami is one of the largest digital music ventures to launch in the Middle East.