This initiative is in response to the growing urban congestion in Saudi cities, exacerbated by recent growth in infrastructure and housing developments. (Image provided by Naver)
SEOUL, Mar. 7 (Korea Bizwire) –South Korean tech giant Naver has announced a strategic partnership with the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) to improve Saudi Arabia’s urban transport system through the deployment of an intelligent transportation system.
This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 7, aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twins to create a more efficient and advanced public transport network in Saudi Arabia.
Under this agreement, Naver will utilize its expertise in digital twin technology to develop high-definition (HD) maps for vehicles and simulate traffic scenarios. This initiative is in response to the growing urban congestion in Saudi cities, exacerbated by recent growth in infrastructure and housing developments.
The use of digital twins for traffic management simulations is seen as a critical solution to support data-driven decision-making and alleviate traffic woes.
Additionally, the two companies are discussing the establishment of a dedicated ‘Sovereign Cloud’ for SAPTCO’s Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and exploring the use of AI-powered closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.
The intelligent CCTV application discussions range widely, from passenger and driver identification to facial recognition-based fare payments through Naver’s CLOVA Vision technology.
NAVER’s booth in the Big Tech Hall, the main exhibition center of LEAP 2024. (Image courtesy of NAVER)
SAPTCO, through its subsidiary Digital Mobility Solutions (DMS), operates approximately 8,000 buses and vehicles across Saudi Arabia, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s public transportation network.
The MOU signing ceremony, held at SAPTCO’s office, was attended by key figures including Khalid Alhogail, CEO of SAPTCO; Ahmed Al Johani, CEO of DMS; Chae Sun-joo, Naver’s Head of External and ESG Policy; and Seok Sang-ok, CEO of Naver Labs.
Chae expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Naver, with its diverse technology portfolio encompassing cloud infrastructure, digital twins, and AI, is the ideal partner for SAPTCO as it embarks on an ambitious digital transformation. We look forward to driving Saudi Arabia’s digital transition alongside various local partners.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
