SCA Hosts Saudi Digital Twin Conference 2022

The Saudi Contractors Authority will hold the Kingdom's first Digital Twin Conference in Riyadh over two days, starting tomorrow, Tuesday. The 2022 event focuses on smart cities, urban mobility and services.

An accompanying exhibition will feature 15 specialist international companies from the United States and Europe. The first day is dedicated to the official opening. The second includes five workshop sessions with 29 Arab and international speakers and 300 participants, running from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

SCA Chairman Eng. Zakaria bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulqader explained that a digital twin is a virtual representation of a machine, building or device. It can show mechanical and electronic components and electrical circuits through simulation and virtual reality.

Digital twins hold current and historical information about an asset, including its dimensions, parts and performance. Data collected through sensors and actuators feeds analytical models to produce useful insights.

Al-Abdulqader said the technology now extends beyond manufacturing to the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and data analytics. Digital representations help data scientists and technology specialists improve performance and productivity.

He described digital twins as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. By analyzing data and monitoring systems, they can help prevent problems and downtime. Simulations can also support planning, improvements and future opportunities for processes and products.

Local and international experts will discuss digital twin roadmaps and their impact at every project stage. Speakers include representatives of NEOM, the Royal Commission for AlUla and Jeddah Central.

Opening speakers include Eng. Saleh Al-Zughaibi, Director of Urban Design and Geographic Information at MODON, and SCA's Eng. Thabet Al-Suwaid.

Other speakers include Andrew Rippon of the Royal Commission for AlUla; Abdulmajid Munaggarah of the Madinah Region Development Authority; Igor Starkov of Siemens in the United States; Kevin Harris of the Royal Commission in Jubail; Simon Timms of The Red Sea Development Company; and Julie Alexander of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.