Dubai: We’ve had smart taxis and smart homes, but now, Dubai is getting ready for smart beaches.
Speaking to Gulf News, Obaid Al Shamsi, assistant director general of Dubai Municipality, explained that the smart beaches project will provide beachgoers with hi-tech services and incorporate environmentally-friendly features.
The smart beach project is the first initiative of its kind in the emirate, and is set to make its debut at Umm Suqeim 2, “in the summer time.”
Thousands of holidaymakers are seen frolicking on Dubai's famous beach next to the iconic Burj Al Arab despite the onset of the mid-day heat these days.
“The municipality has already started preparing the groundwork in Umm Suqeim near the beach, and will install a smart wind pole [to generate electricity] and smart changing rooms,” said Al Shamsi.
The smart changing rooms will be designed with sleek architecture that will not only provide the basic functions of an average room, “but will also have lockers with a key-code, to ensure that the valuable items of beachgoers are safe,” he said.
All the project’s facilities will be equipped with solar panels and although the beach will feature only two wind turbines at first, Al Shamsi confirmed that more turbines will be installed later in the year.
“The pilot project will be at Umm Suqeim 2 but once we get the services perfected, we can then introduce the eco-friendly services to other beaches that are under the supervision of Dubai Municipality,” he said.
The municipality is currently carrying out an extensive overhaul in upgrading Dubai’s beaches, which will include introducing free wireless internet access. The stations – shaped like palm trees – will display information on Dubai’s attractions, weather and other topics.
The wifi stations will not only be available at Umm Suqeim 2, but municipal officials assured that they will also make an appearance at the beaches of Al Mamzar and Jumeirah.
The stations are also set to quickly charge mobile phones and tablet computers.
Gulf News had previously reported that each Smart Palm can support 50 users at a time over a radius of 53 metres, and will run entirely on its own solar power source and lights up at night for an aesthetic look.
In a previous statement, Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said: “Under the guidance of our leaders, Dubai has developed an international reputation as a place for technology and innovation.
“Through Smart Palm, the public will be able to benefit from free direct access to the internet while providing valuable public information covering a range of topics including weather forecasts and orientation guides. Most importantly, these structures are entirely self-sufficient thanks to their mono crystal solar panels, which provide up to 21 per cent efficiency.”
