Nokia Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, and Saudi oil producer Aramco are collaborating to develop advanced Industry 4.0 use cases for various industrial sectors. The two companies aim to accelerate the digital transformation of priority industrial sectors within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the wider Middle East.

The effort will build on the vision of the recently launched Aramco Digital Company. These sectors include oil and gas, utilities, mining, manufacturing and logistics.

The companies are expected to collaborate on research and development efforts, develop joint proof-of-concept solutions, and validate technologies in real-world deployments to expand enterprise industrial automation applications, thereby unlocking new potential for industrial operations. The collaboration will also aim to focus on fostering a comprehensive ecosystem for 5G and emerging technologies to integrate cutting-edge technologies that will help shape the future of industrial sectors.

Nabil Nuaim, Senior VP of Aramco Digital & Information Technology, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Nokia’s award-winning research arm Nokia Bell Labs. This MoU signifies a major step towards digitalising our industries and transforming our national talent capabilities. Together, we aim to foster a culture of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in our industrial sectors during this Industry 4.0 era.”

Thierry E Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, said: “This collaboration with Aramco reflects our commitment to driving innovation and jointly developing advanced industrial use cases with world-leading ecosystem partners. Together, we will accelerate the digital transformation of industries providing new technologies for a safer, more productive and more sustainable future. We look forward to co-creating ground-breaking solutions that can unlock new business opportunities for industrial operations in Saudi Arabia and globally.”