Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the construction of internal roads and lighting for four residential communities: Margham, Lahbab, Al Lesaily and Hatta.

In a statement, the RTA said that the project, which covers roads extending 37km in total, also includes road works running over 21km long and adding streetlights for existing roads stretching 16km. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Announcing the contracts, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said: “The construction of internal roads stems from RTA’s keenness to improve the infrastructure of roads, light and stormwater drainage systems in residential communities.”

In May 2022, the RTA announced plans to extend dedicated bus and taxi lanes over a five-year period.

On the Margham project, Al Tayer said the project covers the construction of roads extending 8km in an area on the Dubai-Al Ain Road, near Skydive Dubai. The infrastructure works include rainwater drainage networks and streetlights. It will serve more than 1,100 residents of the neighbourhood, he added.

Commenting on the Lahbab project, he said it involves paving roads extending 4km along with infrastructure works of rainwater drainage and streetlights. The project scope also covers lighting works of the existing streets extending 2km on the Dubai-Hatta Road beside the Lahbab Camel Racetrack.

“The project serves more than 3,000 residents and improves the linking of the residential area under construction with the roads network,” he explained.

In early August 2022, the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Corridor Improvement Project was 75% complete, the RTA said.

On the Al Lesaily project, Al Tayer pointed out that the internal roads span 7km. “The project includes road works at Saih Assalam near Last Exit and Al Qudra Lake over more than 14km – the project serves about 2,900 residents and improves the entry/exit points of the area,” he noted.

For the Hatta project, the RTA chief said the project covers the construction of roads extending 2km at Hatta, specifically at Sa’aeer, Al Salami and Suhaila, in addition to infrastructure works that include rainwater drainage and streetlights.

“This will serve about 6,000 residents and improves the entry/exit points as well as the connection of the residential community under construction with the road network,” he concluded.

Late in August 2022, the RTA said that 55% of construction work at the Falcon Interchange improvement project was complete.

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Source: ME Construction News

A new architectural era is among us, the creation of place making has teleported to a parallel world. A realm that bypasses physical constraints of materiality, structural integrity and enclosure from the physical elements. This has unleashed a new kind of reconceptualisation of what architecture is, what it can be, and how we will experience it.

As the Metaverse concept has been around for decades, it has become a buzzword with the announcement of Facebook becoming Meta and billions of dollars being invested into Metaverse technologies. Experiencing the internet will have a new connotation as we enter ourselves into the 2D screen into a fully immersive 3D world; a 3-Dimensional world of connectivity that enables users to shop, visit friends and family, meet with colleagues and clients all in one place. We must ask ourselves the question on how to best utilise this evolving technology to enrich our lives and the built environment.

A 3-Dimensional World of Connectivity

The Metaverse will become a collection of fully immersive real-time environments interlinked/interoperable with one another where users (in the form of avatars/meta personas) can interact with the environment and each other either for business/entertainment purposes in decentralised and co-created worlds. In short, the Metaverse is a virtual reality version of the internet where the outside will be shared as a digital form. It is all possible thanks to the emergence of Web3.0 technology, a world driven by data, decentralisation, and user autonomy.

The easiest way to visualise the transition from Web2.0 to Web3.0 is like moving from 2D to 3D. The existing protocols and services of today’s internet will still be visited, however with Web3.0, we will start to see services built on permissionless blockchains with open protocols, open standards, and built within open “worlds”. This provides massive opportunities for individual users, content creators, and businesses to expand and explore the latest evolution of the internet. While the infrastructure behind Web3.0 is still in the works, the future of the internet looks promising and it’s arriving faster than we think.

Shifting paradigms

The primary aspect of architecture was intended to provide shelter to human beings from external actors, in the Metaverse this is no longer the case. An entire new world of possibilities has been unlocked. What kind of expression, creativity, and design has become possible? As technology advances, the philosophies continue to evolve.

Each Metaverse platform has a set of rules, for example a set plot size that may limit the height and footprint, polygon count that may limit the detail of the design, or even a cap on the number of users that can access at once, these new constraints will create a new kind of architecture and it will continue to adapt as the Metaverse evolves. The methods of conceptualising architecture in the Metaverse will need to be re-imagined.

As architects building and shaping the future of Metaverse architecture, we will start to incorporate aspects of multiple fields, for example user interface, content design, character design, landscape development, block-chain based protocols, and even game design. Within the Metaverse there will be multiple virtual worlds that contain a mix between both the physical and digital world, where people can experience and engage in a vast range of activities.

Most activities will be centred around social activities like meeting with friends, clients, and loved ones, but there is also a utility aspect that can enable education to be easily accessed around the world, or even have easy access to governmental agencies and healthcare that are operated 24/7 by expert digital assistants.

Each of the current Metaverses offer different possibilities; a creator entering the Metaverse must first ask what the most important aspects are of what they are trying to achieve. Aspects like daily user count, age and demographics of users, open or closed platforms (either enable full freedom of creation or to work within a “design” framework) along with other factors will determine which Metaverse platform will best suit their needs. Entering a Metaverse may or may not require the purchase of digital land in the form of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and purchased with the native cryptocurrency of the platform.

The structures in the Metaverse are made of polygons or voxels that is defined as three dimensional pixels. Each one of the current Metaverses offer different options – some provide a sprawling, colourful, low poly wonderland, while others still expand to more tightly detailed worlds that focus on high-quality renders that explore niche ideas. And others still use cubes as a standard building block for each ethereal build and an ingrained emphasis on recreating an Earth-like world.

Opportunity to decarbonise the Earth

As we are heading towards the next big-tech paradigm shift, we must consider the impacts it may have on our planet. Many blockchains such as Ethereum verify transactions through a method called “Proof-of-work” and this process is an energy consuming process where hundreds of computers on a network solve complex cryptographic puzzles to verify transactions. Simply put, every transaction that is made using cryptocurrency on a PoW blockchain is energy consuming. The amount of energy consumed for the blockchain along is estimated to be 150TW-hours annually.

Luckily, there are hundreds of blockchains all working towards a more sustainable future. Ethereum network which is the major network that powers the majority of the virtual transactions will be rolling out the next generation that will move to “Proof-of-Stake”, which reduces energy consumption while providing the same transaction verification. In addition to recycling e-waste and setting up 100% renewable energies datacentres, for example, Google and Microsoft are setting up run data centres on completely carbon-free energy by 2030.

Another way the Metaverse can help in that is by using digital twins. Digital twins represent the physical world and allow users to interact with these digital replicas from anywhere and in a number of productive and efficient ways. They are especially effective in helping to control energy usage and carbon emissions.

The options are limitless, and the opportunities being presented by governments all over the world are making it more attractive and affordable to rethink how technology can help reduce greenhouse gasses. The 3D digital twin showcases a scaled layout of the facility and offers a virtual walkthrough that can be manipulated and viewed from multiple planes. To start tracking your commissions, decarbonising your work force and industries, eliminating paper waste, reducing the need to prototype multiple times, and it’s a great place for digital twins to solve it.

Read more:

• Web3 transforming UAE real estate landscape – DAMAC Properties’ GM says
• Entering the Metaverse: What does it mean for the Construction Sector? | Digital Construction Summit 2022
• Virtuzone launches ‘The V’ tower in the Metaverse

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Source: ME Construction News

ACCIONA said that it has recently acquired electrical machinery for use in construction projects that it undertakes all over the world. The pilot project is said to be part of the company’s decarbonisation plan and is said to set it apart as the first Spanish construction company to invest in electrical machinery.

According to a statement, the firm purchased four telescopic handlers and two rotating dumpers, which will mainly be used in urban construction projects. Thanks to their 100% electrical operation, great improvements are made in reducing pollutant emissions and noise levels on site, it noted.

The first of the handlers, bought by the company from JCB through its distributor WALKIA, was handed over to ACCIONA’s Machinery Depot in Seville, Spain. Following a series of tests, it is being used in a housing construction project in Cádiz province, South of Spain. The other three machines of this type are expected to be delivered before the end of 2022, the company explained.

In August 2022, ALEC Energy and Stantec signed a MoU to establish a roadmap towards achieving decarbonisation and sustainable energy goals. Later in August 2022, the MOCCAE unveiled a pledge designed to boost the private sector’s contribution to UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

Overall, it is estimated that the use of this electrical machinery could reduce up to 100t of CO2 emissions, the firm pointed out.

ACCIONA notes that it has also launched the ACCIONA Decarbonisation Fund and is keen to reduce its direct emissions and those generated by its energy consumption by 60% between 2017 and 2030, aiming at the target of the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to no more than 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. The move is said to be in response to the latest scientific studies on climate change.

The fund will finance projects which show potential for significantly reducing emissions. The purchase of electrical machinery is one of the initiatives that will receive support from the company’s decarbonisation fund, the company concluded.

In early September 2022, Abu Dhabi’s DoE revealed new policies to accelerate the UAE’s move towards Net Zero.

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Source: ME Construction News

Richard Caldow has been appointed as CEO for Europe and the Americas by Ryse Energy.

With more than 30 years of experience in the distributed renewable energy space, Caldow joins Ryse Energy from competitor and small wind turbine manufacturer SD Wind, where he was responsible for building a global installed base of small wind turbines in various industry sectors, the company said in a statement.

The strategic hire is part of Ryse Energy’s expansion plans, which have seen the business grow exponentially in Europe and in both North and South America, winning major projects in the telecoms, critical infrastructure, and industrial and commercial sectors, the firm explained.

In September 2022, Masdar and RWE Renewables signed a MoU to explore collaboration on developing offshore wind projects across a range of key markets.

Ryse Energy incorporated in the US earlier this year and has already secured initial contracts from one of the largest owner and operators of communication infrastructure in the country. In addition, Ryse Energy has secured major contracts with US distributed renewable energy companies and mini-grid installers using small wind turbine technology to build more resilient mini-grids, it continued.

Commenting on Richard’s appointment, Alistair Munro, Group CEO of Ryse Energy said: “The hire of Richard Caldow from SD Wind shows the strength of the brand we’ve built, and the technology Ryse Energy possesses. Richard built SD Wind from the ground up, creating a major player in the small wind sector. As the global leader in small wind and distributed renewable energy, Ryse Energy is very excited to see what Richard will create with a company already en-grained in the space and with huge ambitions.”

Ryse Energy is a primary manufacturer of small wind technology with manufacturing capabilities in the UK, Spain, and India. It offers wind and solar as standalone technologies, either grid-connected or off-grid with energy storage and hybridise their innovative and unique wind technologies with solar PV and energy storage to create bespoke and reliable hybrid renewable solutions across a variety of sectors, from decarbonising infrastructure in the telecoms and oil & gas industries, to community power for rural electrification.

Later in September 2022, SPPC revealed plans for five renewable energy projects across Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about the new role, Richard Caldow, CEO for Europe & Americas added: “I’m delighted to be joining Ryse Energy at this time of growth within the renewables industry. Being a manufacturer of a range of turbines from 3kW to 60kW, coupled with solar and battery storage, allows Ryse Energy to meet the diverse requirements for distributed generation.”

QatarEnergy and GE also inked a deal in September to step up carbon capture in the energy sector.

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Source: ME Construction News

Signature Developers has appointed the Devmark Group to launch Signature Mansions, which is billed as a curated collection of 18 elegant villas set within Jumeirah Golf Estates.

According to a statement, Signature Mansions has been master-planned by the developer as an exclusive micro-community, focusing on architectural excellence and innovative amenities.

Designed to offer the ‘Grace of the Green’, the mansions are said to be located on the Fire course, surrounded by nature, and are within walking distance from the Jumeirah Golf Estates Club House. The five and six-bedroom villas are designed for the modern international family and range from 9,168-16,000sqft, containing multiple entertaining areas, separate maids and drivers’ quarters, sky atriums, an elevator and a private lower parking level with sunken light wells, the developer noted.

In March 2022, Majid Al Futtaim Communities said that its Elysian Mansions at Tilal Al Ghaf will usher in a new level of idyllic living.

The Regal Group and Lals Group established Signature Developers in 2016. Previous high-end residential projects include the 118 Downtown, 5-star Taj Hotel & The Residences at Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

“Our advice to Signature Developers was to reimagine traditional villa configurations to drive value through differentiation, despite the current demand surpassing the supply in the luxury residential sector. For example, we understand the importance of indoor-outdoor living in Dubai with year-round sunshine. Therefore, we recommended that each of the 18 luxury villas feature a private pool on the roof to provide the residents panoramic views of the city skyline in addition to the spectacular golf course views. With best-in-class project design, Signature Mansions are poised to introduce a new standard of urban community living. We expect great interest from both international investors and domestic homeowners,” said Sean McCauley, Chief Executive Officer at The Devmark Group.

With the demand for luxury residential units reaching an all-time high this year, the Signature Mansions will set a new standard of urban community living. Each villa is thoughtfully located within the private enclave on a pedestrian-friendly boulevard and features a private roof-top pool, lower-level covered parking with up to six car park spaces, and panoramic views of the golf course and city skyline, the developer pointed out.

In September 2022, DAMAC said it was adding ultra-luxurious mansions to its DAMAC Hills residential community.

Richard Aybar, Managing Director, The Devmark Group added, “We are delighted to partner with Signature Developers to launch this game-changing development. Over the last year, as the population in Dubai swells, we have seen an unprecedented surge in demand from investors and residents for gated community villas. Signature Mansions are not only located in the heart of one of the most coveted residential communities, they also are innovatively designed to include cutting-edge amenities that offer homeowners a uniquely modern and private lifestyle.”

Raju Shroff, Founding Partner, Signature Developers concluded, “We are thrilled to be partnering with The Devmark Group to bring this unique villa community to market.  Their expertise and strategic approach to launching developments in Dubai is backed by an impressive track record.  Jumeirah Golf Estates is such a special location and when the land was available to purchase, we at Signature knew we could turn this distinctive parcel of land into something spectacular.  Our team of architects and designers have worked incredibly hard to create a living experience that will be the first of its kind in Dubai.”

Late in September 2022, Alpago Properties launched ‘Dubai’s only’ double signature villa on the Palm Jumeirah.

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Source: ME Construction News

Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched its biggest on-road HIAB loader crane to date at IAA TRANSPORTATION. The HIAB iQ.1388 HiPro super heavy loader crane comes equipped with the firm’s new advanced control system – SPACEevo – for improved productivity and safer operations, the company says.

The 135tm (tonne metre) crane also has a V10-Force decagonal profile first used in the EFFER 1000, designed to provide increased strength for vertical performance and improve overall precision, the firm explained.

In addition, Hiab’s Load Stability System for vertical movements (LSS-V) compensates for unintentionally excessive lever movement in vertical operations, while its Variable Stability Logic PLUS (VSL+) stability feature optimises lifting capacity by maintaining safety and monitoring the position and pressure on each stabiliser leg, Hiab confirmed.

In March 2021, Hiab renewed its GCC distribution agreement with Thor Middle East.

The crane is said to be suitable for several types of applications due to its high lifting capacity. According to the company, it can also be installed on a four-axle 32 GVW truck, making it suitable for operation in metropolitan areas.

“This is not just simply a new model. It is the answer to a long-time customer request, a super heavy crane with our most advanced control system features, designed to carry out demanding and challenging heavy lifts in the most effective way,” says Marcel Boxem, Director of Global Product Management, Loader Cranes Heavy & Super Heavy, Hiab.

He added, “Operators and customers will appreciate how each part of the crane has been designed to excel, from a precision, safety and speed point of view.”

In September 2022, Grove introduced a heavy-duty jib option for its rough-terrain crane and, later in the month, Johnson Arabia said that it had enhanced its fleet with a wide range of new battery-powered equipment.

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Source: ME Construction News

Sharjah developer Arada has announced the opening of the Masaar Discovery Center, located in the heart of the group’s upscale forested villa community.

The centre features wide open spaces, abundant natural light and a variety of visitor experiences, showcasing the features of the upcoming community development. A double-height glass façade ensures that visitors can see impressive vistas of the woodland from any vantage point within the building, the developer explained.

The Masaar Discovery Center was inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Arada Chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Vice Chairman Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal.

In May 2021, Arada awarded two contracts for the development of the $2.2bn Masaar community.

Also now open to the public is the community’s first completed home, the Masaar Show Villa, which can be reached via a forested walkway, the developer added.

“This is a landmark moment for Masaar that marks the first phase of delivery at Sharjah’s exceptional woodland community. From today, we look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the amenities, which we are confident will enable Masaar to become an entertainment hotspot for families in Sharjah,” remarked Sheikh Sultan.

Prince Khaled continued, “When we launched Masaar, we made a promise to our buyers that we would deliver a lifestyle that is unmatched anywhere else, not just in Sharjah but the wider UAE. Today we are starting to deliver on that promise and giving members of the public an opportunity to see first-hand what the experience of living in this transformational community will be like in the very near future.”

In March 2022, Arada awarded two contracts worth $32mn for the development of the project.

With eight gated districts containing 4,000 villas and townhouses, Masaar’s signature feature is a ‘green spine’ containing 50,000 trees.

Construction work is under way to build Sendian, Masaar’s first and earliest residential district, which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2023. The construction contracts for both the second residential district, Kaya, and the third, Robinia, will be awarded by year-end.

Later in March 2022, Arada and TBHF launched their ‘Home for a Home’ Ramadan initiative.

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Source: ME Construction News

Fully interactive virtual real estate and communities designed in the metaverse are driving significant growth in DAMAC Properties’ pure online sales, Ali Sajwani, General Manager of Operations at DAMAC Properties and CEO of D-Labs, said while speaking at the Dubai Metaverse Assembly.

Speaking alongside fellow Web3 experts at the event, Sajwani stated that online-only transactions are accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of DAMAC Properties’ real-estate activity – approximately $100mn per quarter, at present. He added that the UAE-based developer has set a target of growing this figure to $150mn per month by mid-2023.

In addition to Sajwani, the Dubai Metaverse Assembly’s ‘Sector Deep-Dive: Opportunities in Virtual Real Estate’ panel featured Joe Abi Akl, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Group, Guy Parsonage, Partner and Leader at PwC Experience Center, and Sam Hamilton, Creative Director at Decentraland Foundation.

At its recent Digital Construction Summit, Big Project Middle East put together several regional experts to discuss what the metaverse means for the construction sector.

Speaking in front of delegates during the panel discussion, Sajwani said: “When the global pandemic hit, DAMAC Properties started an online-only channel for sales. We would sell to our customers using Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and these sales are substantial. We now generate over $100mn per quarter using that channel. But as you will appreciate, conversions tend to be low because this is not an immersive experience, so we took the decision to invest in the metaverse, creating digital twins of all our assets and communities to allow our customers to inspect the villas and apartments they wish to purchase virtually.”

The metaverse, also known as Web3, is increasingly being used by real estate developers to host digital twins, virtual facsimiles of real-world structures and communities. In conjunction with virtual reality (VR) technology, these models not only enable investors to view and inspect properties from anywhere on the planet, but they can also be used to supplement owners’ physical assets by allowing them to engage with digital environments, DAMAC noted.

Sajwani and his fellow panellists discussed a range of topics related to real estate and Web3, including the burgeoning virtual-only property sector, how the technology is being leveraged to engage prospective investors, and the trends and opportunities we can expect to see as the metaverse develops.

In June 2022, Sajwani explained how the UAE is future-proofing by being a metaverse champion.

Commenting on the importance of leveraging Web3-specific talent and expertise, Sajwani added: “What’s key for organisations that want to move into this space is to set up a separate entity and team. The talent in this space and the skillset; they tend to be younger people who may not be suited to typical corporate cultures. We set up an entity called D-Labs to work on the DAMAC Group metaverse project.”

Launched by DAMAC Properties’ parent company DAMAC Group in April 2022, D-Labs forms part of company-wide ambitions to catalyse advancements in digital assets and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), establishing the group as a leading global brand in the metaverse.

Those who invest in the developer’s digital real estate also gain access to its real-world amenities, including food and beverage (F&B) outlets, hotels, resorts and more, it added.

With up to $100mn of investment earmarked for the venture, D-Labs is working to develop a variety of virtual homes and communities, as well as digital wearables and jewellery from DAMAC-owned brands such as Roberto Cavalli and de GRISOGONO.

The Dubai Metaverse Assembly was hosted by the Dubai Future Foundation at the Museum of the Future from 28-29 September 2022. The global event brought together more than 300 regional and international experts from over 40 industry leaders who are playing an active role in shaping the Web3 landscape and capitalising on its potential applications.

Late in July 2022, Omnix Engineering’s Bhaskar Raman said that in the near future, cloud-based digital twins will serve predominantly as an asset management environment. In early September 2022, Virtuzone launched ‘The V’ tower in the metaverse.

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Source: ME Construction News

The ‘Dubai Robotics and Automation Program’ has been launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation. The program aims to boost the development, testing and adoption of robotics and automation (R&A), and accelerate the use of its application in key economic sectors.

“The Dubai Robotics and Automation Program aims to increase the sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to 9% within 10 years. We seek to make Dubai one of the world’s top 10 cities in R&A by adopting and developing advanced robotics technologies, empowering national talent, and generating innovative new solutions, products, and services,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

The program was launched during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to Dubai Future Labs, an applied research and development facility specialised in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The new initiative will raise Dubai’s regional and global leadership and strengthen its reputation as a city with one of the highest levels of readiness in the world to adopt future technologies, said a statement from the Dubai Media Office.

In November 2021, the Guinness World Record awarded DEWA for setting up the world’s first 3D-printing laboratory.

Led by the Dubai Future Foundation, the program will feature five key initiatives and will focus on accelerating R&D in five areas. As part of the program, 200,000 robots will be provided over the next 10 years to increase efficiency and productivity in various sectors including services, logistics, and the industrial sector, and enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s economy.

The Dubai R&A Program is based on three pillars – governance, support for R&D and adoption and utilisation of technologies. As part of the governance pillar, the program seeks to develop structural supportive mechanisms to build and maintain an optimal environment for R&A development, institutionalise collaboration between R&A developers, create a favourable regulatory and legal environment, formulate standards and create a comprehensive knowledge base.

As part of the second pillar, the program will seek to support scientific R&D, increase funding allocation in key areas, maximise the participation of local talent and increase the pool of professionals specialised in R&D in robotics and automation. Within the third pillar, the program will help industries adopt and utilise technologies, reduce the cost of robotics adoption, institutionalise investment cooperation in R&A, support R&A systems integration, ensure public acceptance for new technologies, and enhance rates of robotics technology deployment.

In July 2022, Paul Wallett, Regional Director of Trimble Solutions, Middle East and India told Middle East Construction News (MECN) that AI in construction will save lives.

Sheikh Hamdan pointed out that Dubai’s advanced infrastructure and talented workforce give it many competitive strengths in this rapidly growing global industry. The emirate will focus on advancing R&D in five main areas: production and manufacturing; consumer services and tourism; healthcare and connected mobility and logistics. He added that the main objective of the program is to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global destination for innovation in R&A applications. The development of the sector will support the diversification of Dubai’s future economy and help build an integrated knowledge base that can contribute to creating new economic opportunities and improving the quality of life.

Following the announcement of the program, Sheikh Hamdan directed the allocation of laboratories to develop R&A technologies, support research, testing, development, experimentation, and integration activities, provide a supportive platform for collaborative projects, create prototypes, and involve the public in innovative product experiences.

His Highness also stressed the importance of equipping local talent and emerging companies with advanced tools and skills that are expected to be in high demand in the future and developing training programmes in cooperation with government and private entities, universities, and R&D centres locally and globally.

Later in July 2022, Ibrahim Imam, Co-Founder, Group-Co-CEO, CEO MENA & APAC at PlanRadar told MECN that robotics, AI, and IoT can alter the construction business model and make the process of project completion more efficient.

He also called on Dubai government entities and the private sector to strengthen cooperation with local and international research and academic institutions to develop a regulatory and legal environment that supports the growth of R&A in Dubai, and create a comprehensive local knowledge base for standards, technical specifications, and advanced technologies. In addition, he encouraged the fostering of partnerships with national and international universities to support talent development, enhancing practical research, and generating innovative solutions to improve the competitiveness of the national economy.

All the initiatives that will be organised and launched as part of the program will be overseen by the Dubai Council for Robotics and Automation, which consists of representatives from public and private sectors and academia. The implementation of the Dubai R&A Program supports the development of various vital and future-oriented sectors in Dubai, including transportation, space, healthcare, education and artificial intelligence, among others, the statement concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Siemens has launched Fire Safety Digital Services, a first-in-market portfolio of digital and managed services, which connect fire safety systems to the cloud, enabling businesses to move from a reactive, compliance-led approach to total protection through intelligent safety.

In a statement, Siemens explained that by embracing digital services in operation, event-handling and maintenance, customers can improve hazard identification and prevention, make better risk-control decisions, protect business continuity, and provide a safe environment for people and assets.

“It’s important to remember that with fire systems, compliance does not necessarily equal safety,” said Brad Haeberle, Senior Vice President, Services, Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “With digital services for fire safety we can go beyond simply meeting fire system regulations, by using data and intelligently applied analytics to fully protect people and assets.

In February 2021, Cristina Perez Domper, Regional Operations Manager, Building Products Testing and Certification at Intertek MEA told Middle East Construction News (MECN) that the Kingdom must learn from the lessons of the past.

“Developing smarter protection systems through cloud connectivity reduces the burden on people, eliminates unnecessary interruptions and gives businesses much-needed transparency over their processes, for smoother operation and system availability,” he added.

With a combination of on-site and above-site services, the new portfolio delivers remote diagnosis and services which reduce the impact of troubleshooting and inspections on business activities. High levels of knowledge, experience and capacity above site and on-site work together to achieve specific customer goals, the company explained.

Interpreting and translating big data into smart data enables customers to proactively ensure system reliability, gain full data transparency for event and incident handling, and create safer, more compliant, and efficient buildings.

In early July 2022, Siemens partnered with the American University of Ras Al Khaimah to reduce carbon emissions.

With Fire Safety Digital Services, continuous monitoring of detector soiling levels ensures that all fire detectors are working correctly, preventing environmental and other external risk factors from compromising the performance of fire safety systems, the statement elaborated.

The eLogbook also ensures all information regarding events and activities at the panel are automatically captured and made accessible to both on-site operators and Siemens technicians via the Service Portal, closing any knowledge gaps in the system. Detailed digital records create tamper-proof and secure data storage for the fire panel history, giving operators data transparency to prioritise future actions and prepare for audits and inspections.

Furthermore, expert remote diagnosis and services can be delivered on-site and above-site by the Siemens Remote Service Centre. With remote operational support, customers will have access to Siemens experts for continuous monitoring, diagnosis and operational assistance, to swiftly resolve issues and ensure fire detection systems are always fully operational. With systems continuously monitored above site, critical issues are addressed, and faults are proactively resolved before they result in system failure, disruption to business or a safety concern, it explained.

Late in July 2022, AESG said it achieved Fire and Life Safety Certification from Saudi Civil Defense.

As part of the portfolio, the Sinteso Connect App has permanent cloud connectivity and allows building users, facility managers and service technicians to access fire safety assets, check on live incidents and receive push notifications from their connected sites.

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Source: ME Construction News