ASGC, one of the leading construction groups in the UAE, said it has joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Industrial Liaison Program (ILP) to strengthen mutually beneficial relationships in the development of smart cities.

The company move is seen as expansion of its digital roadmap and aimed at applying technology innovations across the UAE’s construction sector.

ASGC’s digital exploration journey has already included tapping into cloud-based technologies and end-to-end integrated cost control systems, as well as using BIM modelling and deploying drones for full coordination of the construction activities, said a statement from the Emirati company.  

Other areas it is exploring include radio-frequency identification and biometrics, optimization of labour safety and productivity, and asset management by using IoT systems, artificial intelligence, and analytics, it stated.

The ILP agreement will provide ASGC with greater access to MIT’s faculty, labs, and technical expertise, as well as conferences, training, and the potential for collaborative research in new technology arenas, said the statement.

The UAE in particular has a strong vision for developing smart communities that are powered by cutting-edge technologies. The region’s smart cities market is set to grow by 83 per cent from $1.26 billion in 2018 to $2.3 billion by 2021, according to IDC, with the UAE’s government-led Smart City projects driving regional spend.

"The construction industry today has an opportunity to do things differently—to be even more efficient and more effective in delivering outstanding work to clients," remarked its CEO Bishoy Azmy.

"Our own clients can expect more from ASGC as we explore new ways to share knowledge across all segments of the global construction ecosystem. Joining MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program will help us in this pursuit, as we work to bring added-value to our clients around the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service