Shopping in Dubai now offers a health stop. Walk through Dubai Mall and find a shiny pod. Step in for a quick body scan. In minutes, it recommends food based on your stats. No doctor visits. These AI pods make nutrition advice as easy as buying a snack. This blend of shopping and health is changing daily routines.​​
The pods, developed by UAE companies like Biagio and Bodyo, support this shift. Biagio started this back in 2018. They check blood pressure, blood sugar, body fat, muscle mass, water levels, height, and weight. It takes eight to ten minutes. Voice guides tell you what to do. Then, a report is emailed to your phone. By 2024, Bodyo will have put out 44 pods in malls, clinics, and offices. All free. Anyone can use them.​​
Food Tips Just for You
The main benefit is personalized nutrition tips. Each scan identifies specific concerns, such as excess body fat or low hydration. For example, it may recommend avoiding sweets if your blood sugar is high, or encourage lean proteins like nuts or meat. These suggestions suit busy Dubai lifestyles with work and family. If your health numbers are concerning, the system alerts a hospital, enabling early intervention. This personalized approach helps users take quick action.​​
Why Malls Work Well
Malls are strategic locations for health pods. Dubai Mall welcomes millions of visitors each year. Bodyo’s CEO, Tariq Hussain, aims to place pods wherever people gather. Users register with the app in about 5 minutes, and each scan takes another 5 to 10 minutes. There are no lines, and use is free for residents, expatriates, and tourists. In Dubai’s wellness-focused environment, these pods fit seamlessly into the landscape. This widespread access means more people get healthier advice while on the go.​
Health Problems Drive Change
Health issues push this trend forward. UAE life is fast. Hot weather drains you. Food leans heavily on rice, shawarma, and mall eats. Over 40 percent of GCC shoppers now use AI for meal planning, according to a 2025 PwC report. They want to save money and stay fit. Why pay for diets when a pod shows what your body needs? Apps scan food for allergies, too. Match your scan for perfect choices. So, this shift is driven as much by lifestyle as by technology.​
Pods Have Limits
Still, pods have their limits. They use good machines, but not like a full doctor visit. Experts say to check with a nutritionist for big issues like diabetes, which is common here. AI spots patterns well, like low muscle mass and higher protein intake. But trust your body too. Feel hungry or tired? Make changes yourself. Still, for daily folks, it’s an easy wake-up. Swap fries for fish. Drink more before the gym. Understand these tools as guides rather than replacements.​​
Bigger Trends Around Us
These pods also reflect wider changes in the region. GCC people ask ChatGPT for cheap weekly meals under Dh100. Or link fitness apps to shopping lists. Meal kits come made for your scan. Cuts waste. For Arab families, it respects culture. Think hummus or falafel adjusted for weight. Low-sugar dates. Studies use machine learning to plan meals based on height, allergies, and local foods. Dubai starts it. Riyadh or Doha malls will copy soon.​
Keeping Data Safe
Meanwhile, privacy stays safe. Pods follow UAE Health Ministry rules. Data locks tight. Yours only, unless you share. Dubai links health apps and doctors quickly. No digging for old papers. Fresh scans guide your store run.​
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, pods will grow. Link to watches for daily checks. Give recipes right away. Bodyo eyes 350 units. AI food scans or better snacks could come next. Malls are becoming health hubs, making wellness more accessible to everyone.
On your next visit to Dubai Mall, look out for these new pods. A quick scan can help improve your meals, making health a seamless part of city life.
Image Credit – emb.global
