- ARAB NEWS
- 27 Apr 2024
Since 1975
Arab News Japan
TOKYO: Nahid Sidki is determined to build the capability of robotics and artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia and will lead a team from the Kingdom at an upcoming international summit in Japan.
The World Robot Summit, which was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but is still known as the “WRS2020,” will bring together participants from around the globe for robotic competitions and exhibitions.
“One of the reasons I came to the Kingdom is to help establish robotic centers and the center of excellence in robotics,” Sidki, who is the chief technology officer at Research Products Development Company in Riyadh, told Arab News.
“I believe our documentation and system architectures are superior compared to the other teams at the summit.”
The WRS2020 will consist of two parts: the World Robot Challenge is a robot competition where teams from all over the world compete in four categories and the World Robot Expo is an exhibition that features advanced robots, robotic technologies and will provide a glimpse of robots working in the present and future.
The WRC will be held Sept. 8-12 at the Aichi International Exhibition Center in Aichi, Japan while the WRE is slated for Oct. 8-10 at the Robot Test Field in Fukushima, Japan.
Mishal AlHarbi, COO at Research Products Development Company, told Arab News the Saudi team’s participation “has historic significance for Saudi Arabia in terms of entry to the the world of 4IR” because it will be the country’s first appearance at the summit.
“Saudi Arabia team, in this summit, is giving a clear message that the Kingdom has the talent, the will and the vision to compete in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence ,” Al-Harbi said. “Beating 119 experienced teams and competing with the 16 finalists in Japan in our first participation tells it all.”
He also said the Kingdom’s team achievement will inspire Saudi youth in the field of robotics and Ai. “ our smart and passionate youth are ready now for the journey and by 2030, Saudi Arabia will be a powerhouse of 4IR technology supported by the
Kingdom’s 2030 vision and strategies and the generous national programs currently being launched”
“The resilience, commitment, innovation and leadership of our team made Saudi Arabia qualify and wave the flag in Japan for the first time despite the pandemic lockdown and the numerous challenges we faced. This is the new spirit of Saudi Arabia and ‘can do’ mentality,” he added
Due to the recent COVID-19 surge, no spectators will be allowed to attend the World Robot Summit but most on-site events will be livestreamed for the public.
Saudi Arabia’s RPD Innovations, the national center for technology development and commercialization in Saudi Arabia, will take part in the Assembly Challenge in the Industrial Robotics Category and will face off against teams from Japan, Denmark, China, Germany, the US, the UK and Thailand.
The World Robot Summit is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and the Energy Industrial Technology Development Organization.
