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Taif to Host Global Forum for Roses, Aromatic Plants in Spring

Approximately 550 million roses are harvested annually from Taif's farms, with plans to increase this number to over 2 billion roses annually by 2030 - SPA
Approximately 550 million roses are harvested annually from Taif's farms, with plans to increase this number to over 2 billion roses annually by 2030 - SPA
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Taif to Host Global Forum for Roses, Aromatic Plants in Spring

Approximately 550 million roses are harvested annually from Taif's farms, with plans to increase this number to over 2 billion roses annually by 2030 - SPA
Approximately 550 million roses are harvested annually from Taif's farms, with plans to increase this number to over 2 billion roses annually by 2030 - SPA

Taif Governorate is set to host the Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum in early April at Al-Hada Mountains to enhance the global standing of roses by collaborating with local and international stakeholders to innovate unique solutions.
The event aims to foster and promote cultural, tourism, and entertainment diversity, while also driving the economic transformation of Taif roses and exploring tools for their development and marketing to achieve global reach, according to SPA.
The forum represents an exceptional opportunity for government entities, companies, and universities to exchange expertise and showcase innovations in the field of roses and aromatic plants. It seeks to support the development of manufacturing industries and boost the local economy in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The forum will feature several scientific discussion sessions focusing on Taif roses and aromatic plants, highlighting their economic importance in attracting visitors and tourists.
Approximately 550 million roses are harvested annually from Taif's farms, with plans to increase this number to over 2 billion roses annually by 2030.

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China's Humanoid Robots Generate More Soccer Excitement than their Human Counterparts

Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters
Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters
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China's Humanoid Robots Generate More Soccer Excitement than their Human Counterparts

Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters
Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters

While China's men's soccer team hasn't generated much excitement in recent years, humanoid robot teams have won over fans in Beijing based more on the AI technology involved than any athletic prowess shown.

Four teams of humanoid robots faced off in fully autonomous 3-on-3 soccer matches powered entirely by artificial intelligence on Saturday night in China's capital in what was touted as a first in China and a preview for the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games, set to take place in Beijing.

According to the organizers, a key aspect of the match was that all the participating robots operated fully autonomously using AI-driven strategies without any human intervention or supervision.

Equipped with advanced visual sensors, the robots were able to identify the ball and navigate the field with agility

They were also designed to stand up on their own after falling. However, during the match several still had to be carried off the field on stretchers by staff, adding to the realism of the experience.

China is stepping up efforts to develop AI-powered humanoid robots, using sports competitions like marathons, boxing, and football as a real-world proving ground.

Cheng Hao, founder and CEO of Booster Robotics, the company that supplied the robot players, said sports competitions offer the ideal testing ground for humanoid robots, helping to accelerate the development of both algorithms and integrated hardware-software systems.

He also emphasized safety as a core concern in the application of humanoid robots.

“In the future, we may arrange for robots to play football with humans. That means we must ensure the robots are completely safe,” Cheng said. “For example, a robot and a human could play a match where winning doesn’t matter, but real offensive and defensive interactions take place. That would help audiences build trust and understand that robots are safe.”

Booster Robotics provided the hardware for all four university teams, while each school’s research team developed and embedded their own algorithms for perception, decision-making, player formations, and passing strategies—including variables such as speed, force, and direction, according to Cheng.

In the final match, Tsinghua University’s THU Robotics defeated the China Agricultural University’s Mountain Sea team with a score of 5–3 to win the championship.

Wu, a supporter of Tsinghua, celebrated their victory while also praising the competition.

“They (THU) did really well,” he said. “But the Mountain Sea team (of Agricultural University) was also impressive. They brought a lot of surprises.”

China's men have made only one World Cup appearance and have already been knocked out of next years' competition in Canada, Mexico and the United States.