Swiss Robotic Camel Jockeys in Qatar to Prevent Using Children in Camel Races

The following are excerpts from a report about robotic camel jockeys in Qatar, which aired on Al-Arabiya TV during July 2005.

Reporter: Camel races are one of the most popular sporting events in the Gulf. In the past, the jockeys who rode the racing camels were under 18 years of age and weighed less than 45 kg. Qatar recently decided to use robotic jockeys in camel races to substitute human jockeys starting next season, with the help of an unnamed Swiss company.

Sheik Hamad Aal Thani, chairman of the camel racing organizing committee: The robotic jockey is meant to be light. The lighter he is, the faster the camel is.

Reporter: Initial trials have proven the success of the robotic jockey project, once the problem of the jockey's stability on a running camel was resolved. In addition, a device allows the camel owner to send electronic instructions to the camel and the robotic jockey.

Rashed Ali Muhammad, project manager: We agreed that the company would produce 120 units. Allah willing, in September we will start introducing these units into the camel's training.

Reporter: The organizing committee held courses which taught camel trainers how to use robotic jockeys. Some of the trainers are worried that the jockeys will be expensive and suffer from many malfunctions. However, the organizing committee, in an attempt to promote the robotic jockey, which weighs less than 25 kg, will provide them to owners of racing camels for a symbolic price.

Sheik Hamad Aal Thani: At first, the idea of the robotic jockey was not accepted. Participants did not accept this idea and thought it was problematic. But, Allah be praised, after we explained it to them and met with them, they accepted it, and many have joined the training.