Dubai, UAE, 17 August 2026: Yango Group, a UAE-based technology company, is bringing its AI and autonomous technologies to one of Dubai’s major community initiatives at Dubai Festival City Mall on 22 August. Yango Yasmina will take on the role of AI race commentator, accompanying runners along the course with timely reminders, running and well-being advice, science and local facts, interactive prompts and encouragement. At the same time, the company’s autonomous delivery robot will hand out water and present medals to race winners.
The activation demonstrates how AI and robotics are increasingly becoming part of everyday public experiences rather than remaining limited to smartphones and digital platforms. By bringing these technologies into a community event, Yango Group is showing how they can make activities more engaging and interactive while contributing to Dubai’s vision of a 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. The initiative turns shopping malls into indoor walking and running destinations during the summer, giving residents an opportunity to remain active in air-conditioned environments.
Dubai Festival City Mall will host 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km races starting at 6:00 AM on 22 August. Ahead of the races, Yango Yasmina will join a professional coach during the warm-up session, using voice prompts and encouragement to guide participants as they prepare to begin.
Once the race gets underway, participants will experience something different from a conventional race announcer. Yasmina will accompany runners throughout the course, combining encouragement with useful running and well-being guidance. Her commentary will include hydration and pacing reminders, interesting facts about the human body and exercise, local insights and interactive prompts intended to maintain participants’ engagement as they make their way towards the finish line.
Yasmina will also be there to greet runners as they cross the finish line.
As the first AI race commentator at Dubai Mallathon, Yasmina highlights how conversational AI can extend beyond the role of a digital assistant and become part of real-world community experiences. Rather than interacting with AI only through a screen, participants will be able to experience its capabilities in a live public setting.
Alongside Yango Yasmina, Yango Group’s autonomous delivery robot will distribute water to participants and present medals to the race winners, giving visitors an opportunity to see autonomous technology operating in a real-world environment.
The robot uses cameras and AI-powered perception to identify obstacles and navigate changing environments. Its presence at the event demonstrates how technologies of this kind can contribute to the development of intelligent delivery systems and the future of 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.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to interact with AI speakers during the event. The first three race winners will each receive a Yango Yasmina AI speaker, allowing them to continue exploring and experiencing the AI assistant beyond race day.
Registration for the Dubai Festival City Mall race is available through the official Dubai Mallathon website.
About Yango Group
Yango Group is a technology company focused on transforming global technologies into everyday services designed for local communities. With a strong commitment to innovation, the company adapts and develops advanced technologies from around the world into seamlessly integrated services suited to the needs of different regions.
Its mission is to connect world-leading innovation with local communities, helping people benefit from new technologies while creating more connected and convenient everyday experiences.
