Riyadh Municipality Integrates Robots, Smart Technologies into Stormwater Drainage Network Maintenance

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
20

Riyadh Municipality Integrates Robots, Smart Technologies into Stormwater Drainage Network Maintenance

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Riyadh Municipality has announced the introduction of specialized robots and smart technologies into its regular operations for inspecting stormwater drainage networks and their components for proactive maintenance.

The robots can navigate through water and various surfaces, measure and analyze the networks, contributing to swift and effective decision-making.

The robots operate by capturing three-dimensional, 360-degree images of the networks and converting the results into data through artificial intelligence (AI). This maximizes the use of technology to expedite the municipality's tasks, ensure the readiness of stormwater drainage networks, and develop proactive maintenance plans.

The Riyadh Municipality continues to oversee regular, preventive, and scheduled maintenance of all components of the stormwater drainage networks in Riyadh. This aims to ensure the safety and readiness of the networks’ components and addresses network malfunctions and surrounding issues using modern technologies that help identify and resolve problems.

These efforts are part of the municipality's ongoing commitment to providing quality services to residents and maintaining public safety, aligning with its strategy to promote digital transformation and support urban growth.



Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years

A Saudi flag flutters atop Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, October 20, 2018. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir
A Saudi flag flutters atop Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, October 20, 2018. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir
TT
20

Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years

A Saudi flag flutters atop Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, October 20, 2018. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir
A Saudi flag flutters atop Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, October 20, 2018. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir

Saudi Arabia's video game sector has seen remarkable growth in the past two years, with imports of video game consoles reaching over 2.4 million units in 2024 and 2025, according to data from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

In 2024, over 1.7 million units were imported, while 684,489 units have been imported so far in 2025. China, Japan, and the United States were the top suppliers, SPA reported.

The Saudi Internet Report 2024 from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission highlighted significant improvements in the digital infrastructure, including an 88% improvement in response time for popular video games. The report also detailed usage trends, showing that smart devices are the most used platform (24.2% of users), followed closely by PlayStation (23.8%).

PlayStation is the dominant platform for the 10-19 age group, while smart devices are preferred by older demographics. Whiteout Survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers were the most downloaded mobile games.

The Esports World Cup, which is being held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, reinforces the Kingdom's growing role as a global gaming hub. The event features over 2,000 players from more than 100 countries competing for prizes exceeding $70 million, solidifying Saudi Arabia's position in the global gaming and esports scene.