LEAP 2026 is showcasing an emerging Saudi experience in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics through a robot named RoboNex, designed to combine cashier and service-host functions in the restaurant and café sector. The robot interacts with customers in real time, takes their orders and provides smart recommendations, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday. The robot’s development took place in Saudi Arabia, starting with structural design and component engineering and progressing to controller programming, AI algorithms, voice-processing systems and real-time interaction. It was also integrated with point-of-sale systems and electronic payment gateways. The robot can handle sales transactions and take customer orders, while recommending additional products based on items already in the shopping basket. It can display specified discounts and promotional offers during the purchasing journey. The presence of robots at LEAP 2026 highlights the growing adoption of AI and robotics across industries, as these technologies move beyond experimental concepts toward real-world applications in business, services and retail.
