Yango Group’s AI Assistant Yasmina will help lead the warm-up and accompany runners throughout the race, while an autonomous delivery robot supports participants on race day
By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Yango Group, a UAE-based technology company, will bring its AI and autonomous technologies into one of Dubai’s major community initiatives at Dubai Festival City Mall on 22 August. Yango Yasmina will become the AI race commentator, guiding and entertaining runners throughout the course with timely reminders, running and well-being tips, science and local facts, interactive prompts and encouragement, while the company’s autonomous delivery robot will distribute water and present medals. Together, the activation illustrates how AI and robotics are moving beyond smartphones into everyday public life, making community events smarter and more interactive while supporting Dubai’s connected smart-city future.
Yango Group is a strategic partner of Dubai Mallathon, a citywide community wellness initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. It transforms shopping malls into indoor walking and running venues during the summer, encouraging residents to stay active in air-conditioned spaces. Dubai Festival City Mall will host 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km races beginning at 6:00 AM on 22 August.
Before runners set off, Yango Yasmina will support the warm-up session alongside a professional coach, guiding participants with voice prompts and encouragement. During the race, instead of hearing a traditional announcer, runners will be accompanied by Yasmina throughout the course. The AI assistant will combine encouragement with practical running and well-being tips, hydration and pacing reminders, curious facts about the human body and exercise, local insights, and interactive prompts designed to keep participants engaged as they progress towards the finish line. Yasmina will also welcome runners as they cross the finish. As Dubai Mallathon’s first AI race commentator, Yasmina demonstrates how conversational AI can move beyond digital assistants and become part of real-world community experiences.
Alongside Yango Yasmina, Yango Group’s autonomous delivery robot will distribute water to participants and present medals to race winners, allowing visitors to experience autonomous technology in action. Equipped with cameras and AI-powered perception, the robot is designed to detect obstacles and navigate dynamic environments, showcasing technologies that support the future of intelligent delivery and service robotics.
“Instead of demonstrating AI in a conference hall, we’re bringing it into a real community setting where thousands of people can interact with it naturally. Dubai Mallathon gives us the opportunity to demonstrate that AI isn’t confined to screens or workplaces; it can also enrich public events, and become part of everyday life. With Yango Yasmina and our autonomous delivery robot, we’re showcasing practical innovations that support Dubai’s vision for a smarter, more connected future,” said Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head at Yango Group Middle East.
Participants will also be able to interact with AI speakers throughout the event, while the first three winners will each receive a Yango Yasmina AI speaker to continue exploring the AI assistant after race day.
Registration for the Dubai Festival City Mall race is available via the official Dubai Mallathon website.