Based in Tokyo, the Japanese firm Uhuru is at the forefront of integrating intelligent technologies into urban living and has recently initiated a program to upskill IT professionals from the Saudi National Research Institute within Japan’s tech landscape.
The collaboration between Uhuru and the Saudi Arabian entity, King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KACST), was officially formed in 2022 with the goal of fostering technological and commercial advancements in the realms of smart cities and eco-friendly tech, with a view to contributing to a sustainable society.
This educational endeavor is a component of the broader alliance. Both organizations anticipate launching additional initiatives aimed at propelling comprehensive technological and commercial development, spanning from localized (‘edge’) solutions to expansive (‘cloud’) applications.
Under the umbrella of ‘Saudi Vision 2030’, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is steering towards economic diversification, moving away from its traditional oil reliance. Central to this vision is the creation of the colossal smart city ‘NEOM’, which is poised to leverage sustainable technologies and automation at a grand scale.
Sachio Muto from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which is heavily involved in international collaboration and the digital transformation of urban environments, shared insights on Japan’s role in this global initiative.
“For the past year, we’ve been committed to sharing our expertise with the global community through presentations and workshops at international conferences,” Muto stated.
He expressed enthusiasm about the potential for increased awareness of Japan’s smart city models and the burgeoning partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Elham Matub Alkabawi, a participant from KACST, conveyed her excitement regarding the Uhuru-led smart city course. “We’re currently experiencing the third day of this immersive program, and the learning opportunities have been remarkable,” she remarked to Arab News Japan.
The program has offered participants a chance to visit leading companies in the smart city sector, introducing them to cutting-edge innovations in virtual reality, digital twins, and AI that are sculpting the future urban landscape.
This week, the attendees will have the opportunity to observe Japan’s smart city projects in action, with tours scheduled for Shirahama Town, Susami Town, and Hidakagawa Town in the Wakayama prefecture.