Insider Brief
- Naver has partnered with the Saudi Arabian government on a five-year, $100 million project to develop digital twin platforms for Riyadh and four other major cities.
- The initiative will create highly accurate 3D models to improve urban management, integrating services like smart city infrastructure planning and flood simulation.
- Naver’s project supports Saudi Arabia’s smart city strategy and positions the company as a major player in the global digital twin industry.
PRESS RELEASE — Naver, a prominent South Korean internet and technology company, has entered into a significant five-year partnership with the Saudi Arabian government to develop digital twin platforms for Riyadh and four other major cities, GIM-International is reporting. This project is a critical component of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to advance smart city infrastructure and improve urban management through cutting-edge technology.
The collaboration stems from a $100 million (US) deal secured by Naver in October 2023. The company will leverage its sophisticated cloud technology and AI-driven solutions to create highly accurate 3D models of Riyadh, Medina, Jeddah, Dammam and Mecca, with an impressive precision level of 10 centimeters. These digital twins are intended to function as virtual replicas of the cities, allowing for real-time data analysis and detailed simulations that will enhance various aspects of urban management, including infrastructure planning and disaster preparedness.
According to GIM, Naver is working closely with Korea Water Resources and Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix to incorporate critical services such as smart city infrastructure planning and flood simulation into the digital platforms. This partnership aims to demonstrate the practical applications of digital twin technology, showcasing its potential in urban water management, autonomous mobility, and the provision of detailed traffic information. By integrating these services, the digital twins are expected to play a pivotal role in optimizing urban planning and improving the overall efficiency of city management.
The digital twin initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious smart city agenda, which seeks to position the country as a leader in technological innovation. As reported by GIM, the project will incorporate advanced technologies like AI, robotics and cloud computing to create a comprehensive platform that can address the complex challenges of modern urban development. The expected outcomes include more effective infrastructure management, improved disaster preparedness, and the ability to simulate various scenarios for better decision-making.
Naver’s involvement in this project not only aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision for smart cities but also elevates the company’s standing in the global digital twin industry. As the project progresses, Naver plans to broaden its collaborations and explore new opportunities to apply digital twin technology in other sectors.
GIM reports that the success of this project could have far-reaching implications, potentially influencing how other countries and companies approach the integration of digital twin technology in urban planning.
