Robot jockey in camel racing aims to reduce accidents and physical risks

The robot jockey, a local technology, is a new technique that has been introduced in camel races at the Crown Prince Camel Festival in its third edition, which was launched last Sunday in the Taif Camel Square.

This new technology is considered one of the most prominent modern and locally-made technologies used in camel racing phasing out the use of human jockeys, to develop sports and reduce accidents and physical risks that may occur to humans.

Abdullah Al-Rubaian, a camel owner, explained that the robot jockey cost ranges from SR700 to SR1,500, adding that the owners were having difficulty finding a human jokey to participate in the races, in addition to the difficulties and risks they face.

But now, he said, after this modern technology, most of the owners have at least 20 robot jockeys due to the feasibility of periodically maintaining them locally.

Al-Rubaian added that the robot jockey is a remotely controlled battery-operated drill, wrapped in a cloth, and designed in the form of a human jockey, weighing between 4 to 5.3 kilograms, and is installed on the back of the camel by corsets, to prevent it from falling during running, and it also performs the same roles as a human rider.

He noted that the camel owners can give direct commands to the camel and motivate it during the race through a mounted speaker, and can also control the stick adapted to the robot jokey which can perform 21 spins to increase the stimulation of the camel to speed up, especially as the camel approaches the finish line. — SPA