News

Saudi Arabia Plans Digital Twins For 5 Cities, Including Mecca

The project involves the creation of a cloud-based platform that will become central to the Kingdom’s smart city project.

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2023

Nour Nasir

saudi arabia plans digital twins for 5 cities including mecca

South Korean tech company Naver has signed a contract with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRAH) to build and administer digital twins for five of the country’s biggest cities: Riyadh, Medina, Jeddah, Dammam, and Mecca.

The news comes after a visit from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who arrived in the Kingdom to discuss deepening economic ties, explaining that “If South Korea, which has cutting-edge technologies and a successful experience of industrial development, joins hands with Saudi Arabia, with its abundant capital and growth potential, we can create synergy stronger than any other nation”.

naver saudi arabia digital twin cities agreement

Naver has already signed a memorandum with MOMRAH to support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. Discussions have also taken place with Majed Al Hogail, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Housing, on digitizing other aspects of city planning, transportation, and public safety.

The digital twin program reflects ongoing efforts to boost decision-making and improve digitization using AI, robotics, and cloud-based solutions. The project will be pivotal in the development of smart city infrastructure and will be used for a wide variety of tasks, including urban planning and flood monitoring.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Launches Summer 2024 eSports World Cup

“Leveraging Naver’s globally competitive technologies, we aim to spearhead the second wave of export boom to the Middle East. With this project as a starting point, Naver will also act as a bridge for Korean IT startups entering the Middle Eastern market,” announced Chae Seon-ju, President of ESG and External Policy at Naver.

Korean company Naver emphasized that digital twins platform could become the foundation for numerous technologies and services in what could become a continually evolving project. South Korean and Saudi startups could also use the open platform cloud software for urban water management, real estate services, robotics, autonomous driving applications, and traffic planning.

News

1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration

Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

Published

19 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Nour Nasir

Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.

cyberdrone ac milan dubai

“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.

This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.