Less than 500 days till Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which promises to be a landmark event. Apart from all the other awesome things you can expect from this world-class football tournament like the stadiums, the Qatar vibe, the overall atmosphere, you'll get to witness a number of awesome technologies that will be part of the whole World Cup 2022 experience. Some have never been seen before while others are new and improved.
Let's take you around these cutting-edge innovations and technologies so, you can know just how awesome the whole World Cup 2022 experience in Qatar will be.
The cooling technology in the stadiums has been designed to ensure temperatures in the field and spectators area reaches an optimal temperature of approximately 26 degrees Celsius. It is an estimated 40% more sustainable and energy-efficient as compared to conventional cooling techniques. One of the best things about this intelligent cooling technology is that the temperature can be controlled based on how many people are at the stadium, so no matter what the temperature is outside, the players and the fans will stay comfortable thanks to the cool air being pushed through specially designed nozzles. (Qatar 2022)
That's not all though. The air in the stadiums will also be cleaned and purified. (FIFA)
Since Qatar is planning a sustainable World Cup 2022 and wants to deliver a carbon-neutral football tournament, it is using renewable energy solutions wherever possible. These include installing solar panels for lighting which have already been placed in the perimetres and parking lots of the stadiums.
Check out some of these technological solutions below:
All the stadiums in Qatar have LED lighting because they are energy-efficient, non-toxic and have a longer lifespan. The colour-changing LED lights can be used for the opening and closing of the tournament and to showcase different types of effects. (Digital Hub FIFA)
Do you know that the stadiums used to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will consume around 40% less energy as compared to stadiums around the world? This is because of the stadiums' "building envelope" design.
"A thermally efficient building envelope minimises the demand on the building’s systems, optimising its energy efficiency." (Digital Hub FIFA).
Retractable roofs can slide back to open or forward to close depending on severe weather conditions. These retractable roofs have been installed in the stadiums to keep everyone cool in such a way that they don't overburden the energy and water usage which is needed for cooling. (Qatar 2022)
The ElPalm shading wind turbine generates electricity through solar panels and bifacial photovoltaic panels so you can sit under its shade and charge your phone fast through a USB port or wirelessly and also use the ElPalm as a WiFi hotspot while you take a break or wait for your mobile to charge. The ElPalm also incorporates advertising, mist cooling, surveillance cameras, lighting and speakers. (Qatar 2022)
The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has set up an Accessibility Forum. This has proved significant in supporting efforts to deliver "the most accessible World Cup in tournament history", and to ensure people with disabilities and limited mobility enjoy the tournament just as much as anyone else through innovative technologies and digital content, some of which are mentioned below:
The Qatar 2022 website is the one-stop-platform for all information regarding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, so it must be accessible to EVERYONE. That's why the website supports the use of magnifiers, screen readers, high contrast colour image descriptions, large text, font kerning, text-to-speech software and other assistive technologies, so anyone who visits the website can use it easily. (Qatar 2022)
Read more: Startup of the Week: Bonocle makes it a breeze for Doha's blind community to read!
Sensory viewing rooms are being been set up in the stadiums to provide safe and calm spaces to young people with Autism or sensory processing issues. These young people will be able to retreat to the sensory room during a match that has been specially designed to engage their senses with interactive projections, controlled lighting, bean bags and toys. They will also be provided tools like weighted lap pads, noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools and visual cue cards to help them remain focused and stay calm in a supervised environment. There is also a row of dedicated seats available for these young people to enjoy the matches. (Qatar 2022; FIFA)
For people who are new to Qatar, finding your way around especially in the crowds may be a little daunting, but thanks to innovative technology, you won't have any trouble navigating your way in and around Doha, if you use the innovative wayfinding technologies below:
NavBuddy Qatar will make it easy to navigate indoor spaces and avoid crowded areas in stadiums, malls, hospitals, entertainment venues, etc. in real-time, so you can get to your stadium seats, washrooms, food kiosks, your favourite cafe or restaurant in the malls, entertainment venues, etc. easily. (NavBuddy Qatar)
Connected sensors are being placed around Doha to ensure you can to navigate your way around Qatar easily by enabling you to plan the best route by using real-time information about the metro, taxis, traffic, parking and even entrance and exit points of the stadiums using a custom-made wayfinding smartphone app. (Scientific American)
The Viavii website can create tailored and personalised travel plans and itineraries so fans can get to understand Qatar's culture and enjoy cultural experiences with people from all over the world during the World Cup 2022. A smartphone app is also in the works. (Qatar 2022)
Wearable electronics are some of the other innovative technologies that are under development. Imagine being able to measure your heartbeat, respiration, and hydration through sensors in a shirt. A Hamad Bin Khalifa University professor is printing low-power-sensors directly onto fabric that will connect each shirt to others via Bluetooth and also to a base station, so vital signs can be monitored in real-time for a number of different scenarios and for athletes, the elderly, and the frail during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ to help avoid medical emergencies. (Scientific American)
Imagine missing an important goal at your favourite FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ match, or the important penalty shots that will decide which team will win in case of a draw just because you left your seat for a few minutes to get some food, but got stuck in the long queue at the food kiosk. Well, this is definitely something you won't have to worry about because there's Asapp! Asapp is a sport-driven mobile app that will enhance your experience as a stadium-goer during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ because it offers on the seat delivery of food and express pick-up-stations, too, you don't have to miss any part of the match because you are stuck in a queue getting food for yourself and your loved ones. (Asapp)
Read more: Startup of the Week: Enhancing stadium experience with ASAPP
When it comes to technological advancements, Qatar has covered it all. Even the bathrooms in the stadiums are innovative. You'll find waterless urinals which seal the urine thanks to a specially designed oil-based fluid that collects in the waste pipe below, and traps odours, too. There are dual flush toilets too, making it much easier to push waste through the drain, taps that have automatic shut-off sensors, and aerators that reduce the amount of water that flows from the taps. (Digital Hub FIFA)
During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, electric buses will take fans to and from the stadiums and other parts of Doha. In fact, Qatar is the first country that will use these buses in a tournament. These electric buses are equipped with high-tech information technology devices to ensure a smooth ride and one that's environmentally friendly and "carbon neutral". Their air conditioning capacity is customised to suit Qatar's weather conditions; the compartments have a superior quality insulation material and the doors have air curtains that will help to keep the interior cool even when the doors open. (MOTC)
Sources: Qatar 2022; Digital Hub FIFA; FIFA; Scientific American; Bonocle; QNA; NavBuddy Qatar; MOTC; Asapp
Cover image credit: Qatar 2022; Mowasalat Qatar; ElPalm; Shutterstock
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