In photos: Become a wizard with these hand-activated exhibits at Expo 2020 Dubai

Since their inception, World Expos have never been a passive event. Even back in 1964 during the New York World’s Fair, visitors were invited to get their handwriting read by an IBM computer, which spit out the results on a printed card – a source of endless wonder for a world not yet familiar with personal computers. If you’re in search of a similar experience to remember your own visit by, then we have a list of exhibits for you to try on your next Expo 2020 Dubai trip.

PUZZLE TREES OF AZERBAIJAN PAVILION: Gargantuan trees are the focus of the Azerbaijan Pavilion, built like a futuristic sanctuary for both humans and Nature. There is much to do with your hands upstairs, so be prepared to spend a good few minutes swatting the air. Exhibits inside five hollowed out tree trunks teach you about the country’s talented artists, biodiversity, roots and more. Put on your Indiana Jones’ hat and look for our favourite puzzle tree that comes with six rotating ‘bricks’. To solve the image, swipe your hand above the motion sensor to get the right combination and unlock a part of Azerbaijan’s history.

FLOWERS OF AZERBAIJAN PAVILION: Once you’re done exploring the trees, check out the bed of mechanical flowers to your right. The largest blossom blooms as soon as you hover your hand above the sensor, offering visitors a wheel of information on the screen that they can spin with a swiping motion. As you work your hands, you get to learn of Azerbaijan’s medieval landmarks and more.

SAVE THE EARTH AT GERMANY PAVILION: Rest your hands with this one because the planet needs a bit of feet shuffling to be rescued. At Campus Germany you are put through all kinds of tests to earn your ‘degree’ in sustainability. An interesting table maps out planetary boundaries with a ball at its centre. Together with other visitors, you have to keep the ball from rolling into the ‘red zone’ by walking around the table. A side step in the wrong direction can send the ‘Earth’ rolling away.

AUGMENTED REALITY CAR AT SWEDEN PAVILION: See a car floating above a tree block via your phone. This is Sweden’s go at augmented reality (AR) technology in its otherwise natural pavilion studded with towering tree trunks. Whip out your camera to scan the QR code, then learn of the various innovative raw materials Sweden has come up with. Mobility shows off the luxury electric car Polestar Precept, which uses seat covering made of discarded plastic bottles. Turn the airborne car around on your phone screen, as you swipe to learn more.

DYNAMO AT SPAIN PAVILION: You have the power over a massive light installation inside the Spain Pavilion. Put together by visual artist Daniel Canogar and sound artist Francisco Lopez, the Dynamo is a black Mobius strip that hangs from the ceiling, constantly thrumming with energy particles. As you make your way down to the basement, hold your hand under the interactive rail and keep your eyes trained on the spectacle. Particles change colours, growing louder and faster, as they ‘feed off’ your energy.

HEARTBEAT TABLE AT AUSTRIA PAVILION: In this sensory pavilion, your heartbeat can create an art piece. When visitors place their hands on the ‘Heartbeat Table’, the fine grains of sand behind the glass collect in the spaces where there is no vibration. What you will have created is a Chladni figure – an invention by the German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni to measure acoustics. By the end of Expo, the pavilion will showcase the heartbeats of all their visitors in a digital tree of life.

LIGHT UP THE WORLD AT THE GOOD PLACE PAVILION: Expo Live, a programme that funds innovators of low-cost solutions, has a pavilion dedicated to inspire the good in people. The Good Place Pavilion has a dim corner that you can light up with hundreds of bulbs forming the world map with just a wave of your hand. Once the wall sensor is activated, it shoots a pulse of light to the ceiling, illuminating the entire room. The message? One act of goodwill no matter how small has the power to bring light to millions around the world.