Dubai’s second Robot Technology Exhibition (RTEX) opened on Tuesday with state-of-the-art exhibits that ranged from a device that allows customs to “see” through shipping containers to a student-designed autonomous watering system which activates itself when sensors indicate an agricultural area is too dry.

The three-day event, at the Meydan, Dubai, is designed to showcase the latest applications of robotic and unmanned technology. Among those exhibiting at RTEX were officials from Dubai Customs, demonstrating mini-submarines, “smart” airport inspection tables, and a device which allows inspectors to scan the contents of a container truck without physically looking through its contents.

The smart inspection table allows customs officers at the airport to pinpoint suspicious areas of luggage, rather than have a traveller open his or her entire suitcase. The mini-submarine can be used to check whether packages of suspicious cargo have been attached to the underside of vessels.  Details