Sharjah: Residents have a chance to see the latest services in Sharjah on display at the UAE Innovation Week show at Expo Centre Sharjah until Saturday.
The solutions, developed by government departments, private companies and students, went on show on Sunday as part of the nation-wide UAE Innovation Week (November 20-26), which was first launched in 2015.
The week comes in line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen a culture of innovation in the UAE.
Sunday’s event at the Expo Centre was inaugurated by Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
Sleeping capsule
On display at the event are sleeping capsules that will soon be installed at select branches of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) to enable officials working late or long shifts to take short breaks.
Mohammad Abdullah Bin Ali, manager of Sewa’s excellence department, said many Sewa departments work round the clock and the capsules would be ideal for short naps or resting. Each capsule, which looks like a futuristic space pod, has “memory foam” bedding that adjusts to the body shape of the sleeper. The capsules also have oxygen-supported ventilation, flat-screen TVs, alarm clock, WiFi, secure access, reading lamps and other features.
Reverse vending
Sharjah will also soon roll out Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) that take in plastic bottles and aluminium cans and give out coupons that entitle depositors to monthly raffle prizes. The RVMs will be installed in phases by Bee’ah in Sharjah and Dubai from January 2017 onwards.
Firas Wahbeh, director of marketing and corporate social responsibility at Bee’ah, said people are more likely to recycle if they see an attractive RVM and stand a chance to win prizes.
The RVMs, which will be installed first in places such as Al Qasba and American University of Sharjah, automatically sort plastic and aluminium waste. A print-out of a raffle coupon, whose QR code can be read by the Bee’ah app, is generated by the RVM.
Pedal power
Sharjah Police, meanwhile, is showcasing its bicycle police units who were recently deployed in heavy traffic or crowded places, such as Buhairah Corniche and Al Qasba, where police cars cannot reach.
Each bicycle, fitted with police lights, has live video and radio link to the control room, a fire extinguisher, battery and other features.
“Everything we need is on this bicycle. We can go between people and places where the car cannot go. It’s also a way to engage more closely with the community,” said Farazdag Kamal, an officer in the bicycle patrol.
Home health
Sharjah’s Directorate of Housing is displaying its free Edama (Sustainability) service, which is a van transporting technicians and devices that assess the safety and strength of walls, columns, beams and electrical system of homes. A report on the health of the home is generated, detailing any problems. Edama also provides tips and guidance on proper home maintenance.
“This initiative is all about awareness. We want people to know about preventive maintenance; not to wait before something becomes a bigger problem,” said Salim Al Abdouli, director of project management at the directorate.
