Siemens and Dubai Airports seek to establish Data Hub and enhance passenger experience

The MoU identifies the intent to explore potential areas of collaboration in the fields of data management and digitalization. As part of this agreement the companies aim at utilising IoT technology and infrastructure as well as analytics capabilities, establishing a standardized and secure way to exchange quality-assured data across different stakeholders at the airports in real-time. For the digital technologies, Siemens is using MindSphere, its open, cloud-based operating system for the Internet of Things.

“By employing advanced data analytics and machine learning, a great deal of added value can be derived from data. Through this agreement, we would seek to help Dubai Airports improve ultimately the overall customer experience by analyzing various elements of airports processes, including passenger flows and interactions with airport facilities and existing bag and cargo flows. The use of the latest data technology will optimize the flow at each touchpoint and enhance productivity and efficiencies for the benefit of Dubai Airports and its customers,” said Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics.

“Our ongoing focus is to use data, analytics and technology to boost service, throughput and efficiency across the board simultaneously,” said Michael Ibbitson, Executive Vice President of Technology and Infrastructure at Dubai Airports. “Siemens has extensive expertise in this area and a long and successful track record working with Dubai Airports. We are excited about unleashing the potential of closer collaboration for the benefit of our customers and our bottom line.”

Under the MoU, activities of collaboration cover among other things joint opportunities for pilot studies as well as research and development. The companies will examine opportunities ranging from intelligent passenger flow management, maintenance cost reductions, power supply efficiencies and predictive asset management. 

In its push towards strengthening its digital presence, Siemens also plans to set up two MindSphere Application Centers in the United Arab Emirates. The company has made a commitment to setting up 20 of these MindSphere Application Centers in 17 countries. Each of the centers spans multiple locations and specializes in a particular industry in which Siemens is active. At these centers, around 900 software developers, data specialists and engineers work together with Siemens customers to develop digital innovations for data analysis and machine learning. These new solutions are being developed on MindSphere.

In the UAE, the two new centers will be located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The MindSphere Application Center in Dubai will handle airports, logistics and cargo to co-develop innovative approaches that improve the movement of people and goods. The centre will optimise the efficiency of logistics by leveraging advanced analytics and IoT solutions provided by Siemens. The other centre in Abu Dhabi will cater to process industries, mainly focusing on oil and gas as well as water and waste water, enabling customers to improve operational efficiency and reduce their costs across the whole value chain.