Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment company, has announced a collaboration with IBM at the Dubai Airshow, to develop smart systems that support manufacturing facilities, predictive technology and service optimisation in the aviation sector.

Just ahead of the Airshow, Mubadala and IBM discussed the terms of the collaboration that will benefit Strata Manufacturing, the advanced composite aerostructures manufacturing facility in Al Ain; and Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S), a leading maintenance, repair and overhaul provider for aircraft engines—two wholly owned Mubadala businesses, said a statement from the company.

Badr Al-Olama, director of aerospace, Mubadala, said: “We are focused on achieving a future for Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE that is advanced, progressive and sustainable.”

“Investing in diversified sectors with partners that have transformative technologies is critical to our next phase of growth,” he said.

“Our partnership with IBM will help us go above and beyond what we think is possible today, by optimising our operations and utilising disruptive technologies across businesses that already have a successful track record in the aviation sector,” he added.

Since its launch in 2010, Strata has emerged as a tier 1 supplier of aircraft components to Airbus and Boeing.

The company’s existing facilities cover an area of 31,000 sq m and are home to more than 700 employees. The company plans to expand its capabilities towards establishing a dynamic aerospace ecosystem that will revolutionise traditional aerospace manufacturing using cognitive decision making processes, enhance quality and incorporate advanced material manufacturing capabilities, it added.

TS&S services leading original equipment manufacturers including GE, Rolls Royce and Siemens, and will soon be implementing predictive technology for maintenance, information retrieval, and the most advanced level of customer care, it said.

Takreem El Tohamy, general manager, IBM Middle East and Africa, said: “As the aviation sector continues to grow, businesses need to explore innovative technology to differentiate themselves and optimise their operations.”

“Whether it's analytics, artificial intelligence or Internet of Things (IoT), these will enable improved decision making,” he said.

Cognit Technology Solutions (Cognit) is the exclusive provider for agreed IBM Watson technology in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, spearheading innovation for local organisations and businesses that stand to benefit from evidence-based decision-making in today’s data driven world, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service