A new kind of palm tree is springing up in Dubai, and it could be the way of the future. Smart Palm is not a real palm tree; it just looks like one (sort of).
The 6-meter structures are actually multi-purpose, self-sustainable devices where you can recharge electronic devices, use complimentary Wi-Fi and more. The palms’ “leaves” are fitted with solar panels so they are able to charge themselves.
Each one has a WiFi hotspot, so you can access free Internet within a roughly 50-meter radius, and there’s eight battery recharge points for various devices, which charge batteries 2.5 times faster than regular charging speed.
While you’re waiting, there is a comfortable seating area close by. Or take advantage of touchscreens on the palm trunk with multilingual Smart City information, giving user-friendly community information about local attractions and weather, and digital screen provide public info messages, government notices and commercial advertisements. Plus it has security and emergency features: CCTV cameras and an emergency button. Each can support up to 50 users at one time.
So far, two have been set up, one on Surf Beach and another at a park near the waterfront.
The plan is to install 103 of these in different locations in the UAE, as part of a bigger vision for the World Expo 2020.
Dubai recently won the right to host the prestigious expo, which will be held under the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" and is estimated to result in 277,000 new jobs and an injection of around $40 billion into the UAE economy.
The Smart Cities of Dubai initiative aims to make the city one of the most connected and sustainable in the world.