Smart city futures showcased in Dubai

The exhibition presents future innovations that address challenges that the planet faces through mitigating pollution, reducing and managing waste, and promoting sustainable practices. These practices include carbon capture systems in future homes, mobile waste containers in future cities, scaling biodegradable plastics technology, and testing artificial reef structures across bodies of water in and around urban communities.

Technologies on display will include:

Autonomous waste collection boat: this demonstrates how autonomous driving technology can be used to transform cities and waterways. Autonomous waste collection boats can extend to creating on-demand infrastructure for waste collection and freight transport.

Carbon capture systems: the system showcased in the exhibition was developed to store carbon dioxide as a solid metal. Carbon dioxide is mixed with water then injected into rocks deep underground and turned into basalt rocks to be permanently isolated.

“By focusing on Dubai Municipality’s key sectors, including smart city planning, sustainable construction, 3D printing, and urban food security, we aim to consolidate the position of Dubai as a city of the future”

Plastic alternative: the exhibit features a solution that provides an opportunity to eliminate the need for plastic packaging by offering a robust and fully biodegradable alternative to plastics. This alternative is made using a brown seaweed structure and was proposed to replace single-use plastic packaging in the future.

Modular artificial reef structures (Mars): the reef structures are made from ceramics and 3D-printed to create a reef habitat without the need for heavy-duty equipment. Mars can be used in conjunction with coral farming and reef restoration projects.

3D-printed sand: installation utilises 3D-printed sand that allows the growth of moss within the architecture. This aims to promote the connection between architecture and nature, while simultaneously providing a healthy livelihood for humans. 

“MoTF is taking the initiative to shape a better future for humanity; this is what the Tomorrow Today exhibition showcases. Our partnership with Dubai Municipality reaffirms Dubai’s position as a pioneer in foresight that aims to improve societies in line with its role as a platform for global collaboration and forecasting.

“We are delighted to welcome many elite global institutions, bright minds, and innovations to the Tomorrow Today exhibition to help showcase potential solutions to global challenges and build a better future for humanity.”

The Museum of the Future is a new space in the heart of Dubai that seeks to provide an engaging experience through various exhibitions. It rises 77 metres above ground and features 1,024 unique steel panels. MoTF was designed to be an immersive- and large-scale experience, encouraging visitors to form their own perceptions about the future.