The Tasmu Smart Qatar initiative, a flagship programme by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), is gearing up to take part in and connect with local and international innovators at Qitcom 2019.
Held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qitcom is the largest information and communication technology showcase and event in Qatar. Organised by the MoTC, the event, which will run from October 29 to November 1 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, will follow the theme ‘Safe Smart Cities’.
During Qitcom, Tasmu will not only showcase developments and milestones but also connect with various entities and align them to work together to bring the Smart Qatar vision to life.
The Tasmu Smart Qatar Programme is designed to accelerate the achievement of all the pillars of Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030. As the main driver of Qatar’s transformation into a sustainable and technology-driven country, Tasmu oversees the development and implementation of smart technologies in five priority sectors across the nation: Transportation, Healthcare, Logistics, Environment and Sports.
The programme is developing a central platform that will be the foundation of Qatar’s transformation into a smart country and will empower cross-sector collaboration, as well as data sharing to encourage innovation. The central platform will be the main foundation of the Smart Qatar Programme, connecting all
sectors to activate smart solutions.
Tasmu is developing over 100 use-cases that address national challenges. The first and second wave of these use-cases that will be implemented in 2020 includes real-time crowd and transportation management, intelligent road signage, national food security analytics, digital shipping guide, virtual physician consultation services, mobile clinics, active living index and more.
Reem al-Mansoori, assistant undersecretary of Digital Society Development at the MoTC, said: “This year’s Qitcom will feature more than 300 technology exhibitors, 100 startups and 300 innovators and entrepreneurs. It aims to be a one-stop-shop for participants to showcase world-class smart technologies and exchange next-generation knowledge. Therefore, Tasmu will play a critical role at Qitcom as it connects with different government entities, talks to tech companies about investments, works with research institutions to collaborate in innovation, and meets with local startups to ideate.
“Qitcom will provide Tasmu with a platform to fill in the missing pieces of its puzzle in order to complete the Smart Qatar vision.”
Qitcom’s theme this year aims to showcase how sustainable and digitised experiences will contribute to a better living environment for current and future generations. Participants will have the chance to explore technologies, insights and trends shaping the future of urban living.
“Tasmu is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the people of Qatar through its five priority sectors,” a statement notes.
For example, in the transportation sector, Tasmu aims to facilitate mobility through safe and environment-friendly transport network to achieve a 20% reduction in road network delays, a reduction of road fatalities to six per 100,000, and a 10% reduction in average vehicle trip emissions. One of the several transportation use-cases coming to life is Tasmu’s road-to-vehicle communication use-case, which aims to reduce accidents on the road.
This use-case will equip transport infrastructure and roadside devices with sensors so that the data collected can be transmitted to nearby vehicle screens notifying the drivers of their surroundings and potential dangers.
Tasmu brings together government entities, local SMEs, large multinational companies, research and academic institutes, startups and NGOs to create tangible real-life applications that are contextual and relevant to Qatar’s current and future challenges, aspirations and needs.
Reem al-Mansoori, assistant undersecretary, MoTC.
