What we learned at the Intermobility Expo in Saudi Arabia: Insights into a dynamic market
As a component manufacturer for identification and payment solutions, the Saudi Intermobility Expo gave us deeper insights into a market that is undergoing a phase of rapid change. With its Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is pursuing ambitious goals to transform the economy, infrastructure and technology. The mobility sector plays a key role in this. How are international companies positioning themselves and which technologies are in demand?
Local networks: partnerships as a success factor
A key learning from the exhibition was the importance of strong local networks. Saudi Arabia prioritizes national companies. International companies must therefore either establish local representations or enter into close partnerships with Saudi Arabian companies. This cooperation is crucial to gain access to authorities and projects - especially in the field of innovative technologies such as RFID systems for identification and access control. Local partners offer the ideal platform to efficiently introduce such solutions.
RFID-supported payment systems: Innovation and security
Saudi Arabia is considered a pioneer in payment technology. In addition to widespread credit card payments and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet, the country-specific payment system Mada plays a central role. The introduction of RFID-based payment solutions offers enormous potential to increase security standards and simplify the payment process.
Strict security requirements, such as mandatory PIN entry, are sometimes a challenge, especially for everyday payments. RFID systems can create a seamless solution here to ensure both security and user-friendliness.
Mobility of the future: RFID solutions as drivers
Public transport: While cities such as Jeddah still rely heavily on private transport, projects in Riyadh are developing innovative models, such as open-loop ticketing systems. RFID technologies could play a key role here - from contactless ticketing systems to integration into larger transport infrastructures.
Electromobility: Although electromobility is currently not very visible, the market is being stimulated by Vision 2030. The demand for RFID-based identification solutions at charging stations and for vehicle tracking is expected to increase in the coming years.
Parking solutions: RFID and QR codes in harmony
The parking sector is experiencing strong growth as the government increasingly introduces charges. Systems that combine RFID technologies with optical license plate recognition and QR code integration are particularly in demand. These technologies improve the efficiency and reliability of access control and facilitate contactless payment processing.
Another advantage: RFID solutions offer sustainability through low energy consumption and fast response times - ideal for solar-powered systems.
Opportunities for companies: Local adaptation and RFID innovation
The Saudi Intermobility Expo showed that the market is focusing on solutions that make everyday life easier and promote sustainable mobility. RFID-based systems offer enormous opportunities in combination with other technologies - from identification solutions at historical sites to access systems for stadiums and universities.