NEOM Investment Fund Ventures into Automated Robotic Technology for Construction Projects

The agreement aims to accelerate the delivery of the region’s expansive capital project program through the use of construction robotics - SPA
The agreement aims to accelerate the delivery of the region’s expansive capital project program through the use of construction robotics - SPA
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NEOM Investment Fund Ventures into Automated Robotic Technology for Construction Projects

The agreement aims to accelerate the delivery of the region’s expansive capital project program through the use of construction robotics - SPA
The agreement aims to accelerate the delivery of the region’s expansive capital project program through the use of construction robotics - SPA

NEOM has signed a landmark investment agreement with GMT Robotics, one of Europe’s emerging innovators in advanced construction technology.
Spearheaded by the NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), NEOM’s strategic investment arm, the agreement aims to accelerate the delivery of the region’s expansive capital project program through the use of construction robotics. The initiative underscores NEOM’s position as a pioneer in modern construction techniques, including automation, SPA reported.
NEOM Investment Fund CEO Majid Mufti commented that “our investment in GMT Robotics reflects NEOM’s commitment to driving transformative technologies that will unlock next-generation industries. By localizing this advanced technology, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable development, high-skilled jobs, and the growth of commercially viable sectors. It is through partnerships like these that NIF will turn visionary goals into reality and establish NEOM as a global hub for innovation.”
Bandar Ashrour, Sector Head of Design and Construction at NEOM, emphasized the importance of the collaboration by saying: “Enabling construction technology start-ups to align with NEOM’s ambitions is fundamental to what we do. GMT’s agility and expertise in harnessing robotics for construction bring unparalleled efficiency, consistency, and sustainability. We look forward to a dynamic collaboration that paves the way for a safer and more sustainable next generation of NEOM-built assets.”
GMT Robotics, based in Copenhagen, specializes in robotic technology tailored specifically to the rebar market. The company’s robotic rebar cage assembly and handling systems deliver significant advancements in efficiency and workplace safety for the construction industry. By reducing onsite workforce requirements by an average of 90% through offsite prefabrication, GMT Robotics enhances productivity while maintaining high safety standards.
The partnership will localize this technology, with rebar cages produced in NEOM-based factories. It also opens new opportunities for Saudi engineers to leverage robotics in other construction applications.
With the global construction robotics market valued at $168.2 million in 2022 and expected to reach $774.6 million by 2032—a growth of over 360% in 10 years—the benefits of robotics applications within the construction sector are extensive. These include enhanced task efficiency, reduced operating costs, improved health and safety, and greater design flexibility.
The partnership marks another milestone in NIF’s series of strategic investments. It reflects the Fund’s commitment to supporting NEOM’s sector strategy by enabling innovative technologies, establishing new businesses, and creating job opportunities to support NEOM’s growing economy.



Microsoft to Invest $3 Bln to Expand AI, Cloud Capacity in India

26 March 2021, Bavaria, Munich: The Microsoft logo hangs on the facade of an office building in Parkstadt Schwabing in the north of the Bavarian capital. (dpa)
26 March 2021, Bavaria, Munich: The Microsoft logo hangs on the facade of an office building in Parkstadt Schwabing in the north of the Bavarian capital. (dpa)
TT

Microsoft to Invest $3 Bln to Expand AI, Cloud Capacity in India

26 March 2021, Bavaria, Munich: The Microsoft logo hangs on the facade of an office building in Parkstadt Schwabing in the north of the Bavarian capital. (dpa)
26 March 2021, Bavaria, Munich: The Microsoft logo hangs on the facade of an office building in Parkstadt Schwabing in the north of the Bavarian capital. (dpa)

Microsoft will invest about $3 billion to expand capacity for artificial intelligence and its Azure cloud-computing services in India, CEO Satya Nadella said on Tuesday.

The tech giant is the latest to pledge investment in India, a country seen as a key growth market for US technology companies thanks to its population of more than 1.4 billion people and low-cost internet access.

Executives ranging from Nvidia chief Jensen Huang to Meta's chief AI scientist Yann LeCun have visited India in recent months.

The $3 billion investment in India would be the "single largest expansion" done in the country, Nadella said at a conference in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.

Microsoft will also train 10 million people in AI in India by 2030, Nadella said.

When Nadella visited India early last year, he announced the company will provide 2 million people in the country with AI skilling opportunities by 2025, focused on training individuals in smaller cities as well as rural areas.

Nadella met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, and the pair discussed "tech, innovation and AI" and "Microsoft's ambitious expansion and investment plans in India."

Microsoft has been pouring billions of dollars into expanding capacity across the globe to boost AI infrastructure and its data-center network.

The company last week unveiled plans to invest about $80 billion in fiscal 2025.

The investment, more than half of which will be in the United States, will focus on developing data centers to train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications.