Okay, so they’re not the same palm trees that yield coconuts.
These “smart” trees were designed to harness the sun’s power, but not for photosynthesis; rather, they offer free Wi-Fi and power to beach goers in Dubai, India.
Each 20-foot Smart Palm has eight charging points (capable of charging batteries 2.5 times faster than normal), and can offer Wi-Fi within a 100 meter radius in any direction. Its 18 square meter leaves are equipped with matrices of photovoltaic modules that soak up the sun’s rays during the day, storing its energy so that it can be discharged at night.
“It was important to translate the important cultural identity of the date palm from being a plant that provided shelter, building materials, shade, and sustenance, to our Smart Palm, designed to provide data, connectivity, energy, and all in a sustainable manner,” said Smart Palm’s founder, Viktor Nelepa.
Each Smart Palm is also equipped with 360 degree infrared CCTV cameras and an emergency button that can be accessed through a touchscreen, while digital screens along the trunk provide a space for public announcements, government notices, and advertisements.
So why Dubai?
The city has announced a Smart City initiative that will leverage the Internet of Everything to become one of the world’s most connected and sustainable cities, and plans to unveil this vision at the World Expo, which Dubai will host in 2020.
D idea, the company behind the tropical hot spot, plans to install 103 Smart Palms across Dubai in the next 12 months.