Middle East and Africa IoT investment to reach USD7.8 billion in 2017
As global cities become smarter and more connected, the Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to play a transformative role in enhancing living standards and improving services for the general public.
The challenge for governments, councils and urban planners will be ensuring the security of smart cities while also delivering heightened services which protect the functionality of connected communities, their residents and the service providers operating with them.
This will be one of the red-hot topics falling under the spotlight at the Internet of the Things Expo (IoTx) 2017, which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 21 – 23 May.
Featuring world-leading technology and solutions providers displaying the latest innovative products and services which address the increasingly complexities of regional smart city adoption, IoTx 2017 will highlight how Middle East and Africa (MEA) investments in IoT alone are estimated to hit USD7.8 billion this year, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.
“The Internet of Things is rapidly changing the world we live in today. The increasing use of smart devices such as phones, watches and tablets, results in more people staying connected for longer. The Internet of Things will continue to have a greater impact on businesses and the way we interact and function in years to come,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “IoTX 2017 is the place to be for organisations and stakeholders to explore the latest technologies and solutions and learn to harness IoT- generated data for businesses to thrive in future.”
The rapid rise of urbanisation creates an increasing need for sustainable cities that are resilient and deliver better services. Effective and efficient infrastructure and transportation systems are keys to building more efficient cities. In line with this, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) will display a virtual experience of its conceptual high-speed capsule at IoTx 2017. HTT believes it will change the mass transportation landscape moving forward.
The interactive experience will provide visitors with a glimpse into the future of transportation, with a VR simulation providing a true-to-life look and feel of a Hyperloop™ journey.
The Hyperloop™ will enable people to travel between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi in 8 to 12 minutes. The smart capsules transporting between 28 and 40 people are equipped with sensors designed to enhance comfort and safety. The data gathered through sensors is transmitted to technicians in order to help improve passenger experience and react to potential threats and breaches in the system. The HTT Hyperloop™ is powered by a combination of alternative energy sources to ensure sustainability and low cost. The entire HTT system is energy net-positive.
“While new-age cities are becoming smarter and more efficient, for them to be completely connected, we need an advanced system of transport, which plays a key role in not only building but shaping smart cities. This is where Hyperloop™ comes into the picture,” said Bibop Gresta, Chairman, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies. “With Hyperloop™, we aim to better connect cities and the world in the near future. The technologies we are using will improve the efficiency of transportation, making it, safer, faster, sustainable and more cost-effective.”
Driverless cars and the efficient use of drones will also be in focus at ioTx 2017, which will run concurrently with the Gulf Information Security Exhibition and Conference (GISEC) 2017, while Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General of Smart Dubai will be on a panel discussion ‘Seamless smart government – will we ever get there’ alongside representatives from the city of Helsinki in Finland, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and others.
Among the many other highlights of the three-day event will be a panel discussion ‘Autonomous systems: moving from driverless cars to space robots’ and a discussion on the benefits and potential downfalls of wearable tech.
Key sponsors of GISEC and ioTx 2017 include DARKMATTER as the Cyber Security Innovation Partner, Digirobotics as the Smart Manufacturing Partner, Gulf Business Machines as the Official Security Solution Sponsor, Cisco and Spire Solutions as Platinum Sponsors and Infowatch as a Panel Sponsor.
Powered by GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, the region’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) event, ioTx 2017 is strictly open to the industry professionals and tech community, including government departments, business and enterprise. Visitor attendance to the exhibition halls is free of charge, although attendees must purchase tickets to attend the events’ conferences. For more information, please visit http://www.iotx.ae/
