WAM Talks 4.0 – Interview with Rodrigue Saab

1. Can you give us a brief overview of SAAB RDS and its role in the region?

We are the House of Innovation Excellence. Since 2019, we have enabled visionary institutions across North America and MENA region to benefit from tailored technology solutions. Our mission is to shape the future of business and we do it by blending our passion for engineering excellence with the latest innovative technologies. Beyond traditional consulting and technology provision — we re-engineer and localize global cutting-edge solutions to meet the unique needs of our clients.

In Saudi Arabia, we are empowering transformation across key sectors such as aerospace and defense, manufacturing, automotive and academia. We integrate the latest innovations in AI and IoT to tailor solutions in Industry 4.0, Cybersecurity, Software Defined Radios and advanced R&D. What sets us apart is our profound engineering expertise and a suite of global technology partners to tailor robust and scalable innovative solutions. 

2. What are the key technologies or solutions you’ll be showcasing at WAM Saudi?

At WAM Saudi, we’re showcasing a suite of technologies that represent the future of connected, intelligent operations. These include our Connected Worker solutions for enhanced safety and operational efficiency, Predictive Maintenance platforms to maximize asset uptime, Automated Test Equipment that ensures product quality at speed and Zero Trust Cybersecurity architectures for critical infrastructure protection. Additionally, our Software Defined Radio solutions will demonstrate how we’re enabling secure, interoperable communications in an increasingly connected world. Each of these offerings is built to meet immediate needs while being scalable for tomorrow.

3. How do SAAB RDS solutions align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its growing emphasis on safety and smart infrastructure?

Beyond alignment, we are committed to empower the Kingdom to achieve its vision. In particular, we are directly contributing to the third goal of the vision: to grow and diversify the economy by developing the digital economy to unlock the potential of non-oil sectors. Our innovative Industry 4.0 solutions are empowering the manufacturing and automotive sectors to increase efficiency, enhance safety, improve product quality and boost competitiveness. We believe in the local capabilities in the Kingdom and empowering it further with localized innovations. And, when it comes to the National Transformation Program of the Vision, we are empowering the educational sector by mobilizing the latest technologies to help improve the learning environment, stimulate creativity and boost its score on global innovation indices. Our partnerships with universities in the Kingdom is proving to be a catalyst to establishing a practical framework that aligns talent with labor market needs. 

4. Why is WAM Saudi an important platform for you?

WAM Saudi is a convergence point for the region’s most ambitious initiatives in innovation and manufacturing. We consider it an ideal platform to showcase how our vision aligns with national priorities. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to foster partnerships that will define the next era of intelligent infrastructure and digital advancement. We believe Saudi Arabia is on a trajectory to become a global benchmark in technology integration and WAM offers the right environment to co-create that future with key stakeholders.

5. What can attendees expect when they visit your stand?

Attendees at our stand can expect more than a technology showcase — they can expect what we call "Tailored Innovation in Action." Our team will present live demonstrations of how AI, IoT and cybersecurity converge in real-time applications like predictive maintenance, connected workers and automated testing. They will also gain insights into how our systems engineering expertise turns complex requirements into seamless, scalable solutions. Expect to engage with experts who understand both the technical intricacies and the business imperatives of transformation.

6. What’s next for SAAB RDS in Saudi Arabia and the wider region?

Our roadmap is bold and strategic. In Saudi Arabia, we are deepening our investment in local talent development and expanding our ecosystem of innovation partnerships. We are also advancing R&D initiatives in collaboration with universities and government institutions to co-develop future-ready technologies. Across the region, we are scaling our presence in aerospace, automotive and smart manufacturing, driving the shift toward agile, connected and secure operations. Simply put, we’re not just following the future — we are engineering it.