KAUST will host the "U.S. National Academy of Sciences – KAUST Frontiers of Sensor Science Symposium" in December, focusing on sensor technologies. The symposium, in collaboration with the U.S.-based National Academy of Sciences (NAS), will cover agriculture, biomedical applications, environment (smart cities), and materials science. Carlo Ratti, Director of MIT’s SENSEable City Lab, will deliver the keynote address. Why it matters: The event highlights KAUST's strategic focus on sensor technology and its role in fostering international collaboration in cutting-edge research areas relevant to regional development.
Dr. Jeffrey Schnapp from Harvard University discussed the shift from mobility to movability and human-centric autonomy in robotics at KAUST's 2018 Winter Enrichment Program. He presented Gita, a cargo robot designed to move like humans and support pedestrian lifestyles. Piaggio Fast Forward, Schnapp's company, aims to create robots that coexist with humans and enhance the quality of life in pedestrian-friendly environments. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's engagement with innovative robotics research and its focus on exploring human-robot interaction for future urban development in Saudi Arabia.
Siemens CTO Rainer Speh spoke at KAUST about smart cities, noting that urban populations are growing, especially in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. Cities consume two-thirds of the world's energy and generate 70% of CO2 emissions. Siemens is working on a driverless subway system in Riyadh as part of its smart city initiatives. Why it matters: Smart city initiatives are crucial for managing resources and reducing emissions in rapidly growing urban centers in Saudi Arabia.
Michael Holland from NYU's Center for Urban Science & Progress (CUSP) presented a keynote lecture at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2015 on the importance of urban science. CUSP, launched in 2012, aims to make New York City a world capital of science and technology through multi-sector research and education. Holland emphasized how analyzing urban data can improve city government, planning, policy, and citizen engagement. Why it matters: As urbanization increases, the development of urban science and the effective use of urban data become crucial for sustainable and efficient city management in the GCC region and globally.
Khaled Alrashed, president and CEO of Saudi Electricity Company for Projects Development, discussed the challenges of future smart cities at a KAUST event. He emphasized the importance of smart grids, AI, and large-scale optimization for improving urban living. The Saudi Electricity Company is partnering with KAUST, including using the Shaheen supercomputer, to develop these technologies and predict grid load. Why it matters: This collaboration highlights Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a leader in smart city technology and renewable energy, leveraging local expertise and resources.
Christopher Fabian, co-founder of UNICEF’s Innovation Unit, spoke at KAUST about using data and technology to improve lives. He highlighted how IoT and wearables can connect remote populations in developing countries with their governments. The talk emphasized using data to include unaccounted populations. Why it matters: The discussion reinforces KAUST's commitment to leveraging technology for global development and aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader goals for digital transformation.
KAUST Professor Carlos Duarte presented a lecture on the rebound of global ecosystems following decreased human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duarte, a member of the Rapid Research Response Team (R3T), discussed evidence indicating the environment's capacity for recovery. He related these findings to the potential for positive change in addressing climate change. Why it matters: The lecture highlights KAUST's contribution to understanding the impact of human activity on ecosystems and potential solutions to climate change.
The Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC) at Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has appointed a board of advisors composed of globally-recognized experts in robotics and autonomous systems. The advisors include professors from Georgia Tech, ETH Zurich, University of Bologna, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NYU, and Czech Technical University. The board will guide ARRC's research into robotics technologies aimed at building hybrid biological and artificial systems. Why it matters: This signals the UAE's continued investment in attracting top international expertise to advance its AI and robotics research capabilities.