Accelerating the Kingdom’s Digital Transformation

KAUST Smart and the National Digital Transformation Unit expand their partnership on next-generation digital technologies

KAUST Smart formalized its relationship with a major collaborator when it announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom’s National Digital Transformation Unit (NDU) in August 2021. The two institutions already work together on innovations that seek to fulfill Vision 2030’s overarching goals, and moving forward they will conduct joint research projects, as well as share expertise in transformational next-generation digital technologies such as drones, smart cities, robotics and 5G networks.

Digital transformation is a key pillar of Vision 2030, and the NDU was established in 2017 to collaborate with partners to accelerate and enable this change. Examples thus far of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation include it ranking third of all countries in the Middle East, Europe and Africa in terms of 5G network deployment in 2020, and the creation of a digital documentation system that processes customs clearance procedures within 24 hours. KAUST Smart’s partnership with the NDU is unique because the campus is the only site outside of Riyadh where the NDU is collaborating on proof-of-concept projects. KAUST’s role as a living laboratory makes it ideal for this kind of innovation. The recently completed MoU, signed by KAUST Chief Information Officer Jason Roos and then-CEO of the NDU Mohammed Alshaalan, solidifies the partners’ recent progress through three parallel initiatives: proof-of-concept research in the autonomous last-mile delivery of goods, proof-of-concept research in autonomous drone delivery, and the planning and execution of the first joint online webinar on autonomous vehicles.

The MoU outlines the NDU’s responsibilities, which include preparing and developing projects that are related to digital education, smart cities and emerging technologies; offering advisory services on these specific technologies; and developing smart city strategies in collaboration with other stakeholders. KAUST’s role will be managing knowledge transfer on emerging technologies to both the public and private sector, and supporting proof-of-concept projects by providing technical experts and suitable laboratory facilities on campus. This cooperation will build on work already in progress to develop autonomous delivery services. For one project, researchers from both parties are working to support package delivery using autonomous vehicles. In another, drones are used to deliver food. KAUST Smart and the NDU are working with six additional stakeholders from the private sector.

For autonomous delivery, the three key partners working with KAUST Smart and the NDU are Alshrouq Express, Teksbotics and UISEE. Alshrouq is a delivery service in the Kingdom that served more than 20 million customers as of 2019 through services including last-mile delivery, warehousing, first- and middle-mile transportation, and driver outsourcing. Teksbotics, based in Hong Kong, focuses on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). It currently offers driverless mobility technologies in Hong Kong, Macau and across the Asia-Pacific region for goods as well as passengers. Examples include autonomous electric tractors used to transport goods in airports, warehouses and factories, and autonomous shuttles.

but a human operator is still required to intervene as needed. Level 4 incorporates geofencing – a technology that limits the driving range to a specified area – and human overriding capacity is optional. Level-4 automation is one step below full automation.

NATIONAL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION UNIT

“We are happy to partner with one of the most advanced research universities in the Kingdom. In an age where Saudi Arabia is more than willing to embrace new technologies, we are excited to pursue these goals together. In doing so, we will help the country become an advanced digital society.”

Ali N. Alasiri, CEO of the National Digital Transformation Unit

For KAUST Smart and NDU’s drone food delivery project, partners include FlytBase, Eva and FalconViz, a KAUST-based startup. FlytBase – which graduated from the Launch Pad Accelerator Program of Cisco Systems, another long-term KAUST partner – developed the first internet-ofdrones platform. It provides software that allows for the automation and scale-up of drone operations, including fleet deployment and connection with cloud-based business applications.

Eva provides drone-system infrastructure, such as stations that can boost productivity and autonomy, as well as cuts costs through the provision of support systems for drone operators. Applications go beyond commerce and include health care and disaster relief, two areas where drones hold promise as a reliable substitute for helicopters.

FalconViz, commercialized within KAUST’s ecosystem and headquartered on campus, uses drones for surveying and mapping; inspection and monitoring of construction sites and industrial settings, among others; airborne security; and providing images, videos and 3D visualizations.

SULAIMAN AL THUNAYAN Vice President for Government Affairs

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE WORKING WITH PARTNERS SUCH AS NDU TO TEST, PILOT AND DEPLOY TECHNOLOGIES IN A REAL-WORLD OPERATIONAL SETTING ON THE KAUST CAMPUS THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OUR UNIQUE CITY ENVIRONMENT.