GET READY FOR SAUDI ARABIA’S SMART REVOLUTION Saudi Arabia’s audacious project to use its petro-billions to transform itself into a robotics, automation and high-tech superpower could have massive implications far beyond the Kingdom’s borders – if indeed it can pull it o . It makes sense for the Saudis to use their oil fortunes to plan ahead for a time when demand for oil may be declining. But to attempt to reinvent itself as an industrial frontrunner is certainly a bold move. The aim of establishing 32,000 new high-tech factories in just over a decade might seem far-fetched, especially at a time when manufacturers are struggling in much of the world. But because they are starting almost from scratch, the Saudis have the potential to leapfrog nations being held back by substantial investments in legacy technologies, infrastructures and mindsets. In a similar way to how China has established itself as an electrical vehicle pacesetter by not really attempting to compete with West in the combustion-engined vehicle market, Saudi Arabia could be the place where concepts such as digitalisation and the industrial metaverse become a widespread reality, rather than merely an aspiration. But to do so will require expertise – hundreds, if not thousands, of automation experts will be vital if Saudi is to achieve its ambitions. And many, or most, of them will need to come from the West. To tempt these people in the numbers needed, Saudi will no doubt be o ering very attractive remuneration packages. These, coupled with the prospect of a life in the sun, and being in at the start of a new industrial revolution, will no doubt persuade many Western engineers to make the move to the Middle East. But this could, in turn, have a negative impact on Western countries, causing a brain drain of the very people that these countries are relying on to turn their manufacturing sectors around. Skills shortages are likely to become even more acute in some countries. The Saudis have already made clear their intentions with the calibre of the people who they have already appointed as key executives in the Alat organisation that is driving the new revolution. They have headhunted people who have worked at the top of organisations such as ABB, Dell, LG Electronics, Johnson Controls, Dow Chemical and Onsemi. They also seem to have made a wise choice in partnering with the Japanese SoftBank group for their automation and robotics joint venture. SoftBank has a stake in many cutting-edge technologies including AI, smart robotics, IoT and clean energy. It also has a majority holding in the chip-maker, Arm. If anyone has the resources to reshape the global automation lansdscape, it is the Saudis. They will no doubt face many challenges, but if they succeed in their ambitions, when we refer to the EMEA region in the future, it could be Europe and Africa that are the minor players. Tony Sacks, Editor n COMMENT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * brus ) Preci , ) motors hed and brushless (( ! ' %+% $+ '!!' ision resolvers, $& +' + dri ste %$ vices eedbackde es tepper motors & driv es Servo motors & driv S F epper Stepper motor dr %$ '((%#'$ %$ ' r andserv ives "( ) %+ $ $ (* ormance, High perf rives, # ) '& vomotor epper Harsh industrial, vacuum #'$% +!) ' rated st rmotors systems %$&"+ %)(! +% $%$# sh Vacuum and har Robust incremental and absolute encoders moto moto Smal ors orque ors, frameless t l brushed and brushless ,+ ) (') control a comm custom )!! ) )! ' s and ') '& + Gearboxes systems or )&%$#+"!!(%' ! ' %+% $ $ l products f r over 40 years, we have mitment to technical excellence and mer service and adopt a partnership "+%$'++ ' ' " "+ ' + '++% $)( +!' % ) $ )$& &'+%#$ x tary Slip ring assemblies ro y joints and spur Planetary r gear units ww $ '# step .mclenna ! "%(&+' ' !' %' +"!! ) ! ww # ) '&, +' )$& per motors $ ( # o.uk sales@mclennan.c $ $ ( ' !!(% ) $ +!' % +44 (0) 1252 531444 o.uk ! # ' % ' ) '& "! % ")(% '& )$& '$ '& ' $% )( +)('+ )$& )!!(% ) $+ + ) )(('$#' "+ ! %&' " % !(' ' + (" $ , n.c
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