Najran University has taken part with a distinguished student research achievement at the Ministry of Education pavilion at the World Defense Show 2026, in a participation reflecting the level of scientific and innovative progress Saudi universities have reached in defense, security and smart technology. The research was selected among the top ten projects across the Kingdom's public and private universities in a strong scientific competition featuring many quality innovations.

Representing Najran University at the global event is the project of student Ali bin Misfer Al Haddad, which focuses on designing and developing a prototype of a smart autonomous robot for border security and field surveying in hazardous environments. The project relies on an advanced system of smart sensors able to detect hazardous gases and water leaks, along with live video streaming to support immediate decision-making in the field.

The robot also features a smart alert system that sends instant notifications by email and WhatsApp, along with a central control panel for monitoring performance and controlling operations remotely, improving response speed and the accuracy of security procedures.

The project supports several operating and movement modes, including manual control, path tracking and automatic obstacle avoidance, and is equipped with a robotic arm that lets it inspect suspicious objects and handle hazards without direct human intervention, reducing risk to personnel and raising safety and field awareness at sensitive sites.

The participation is part of Najran University's continued efforts to support scientific research and student innovation, enable national talent to contribute technical solutions serving national security and the defense sector, and strengthen the presence of Saudi universities' outputs in international forums.