VIA INTELIGENTE, a Spanish technology firm, have created the first paving stone with built in Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities. This first development in digital infrastructure will enable passers-by to connect to the internet and access a catalogue of cloud-based apps. The iPavement™ will be exhibited at the International Building and Construction Show 2012 in Dubai.
Through VIACITIES OS, this intelligent paving stone will enable passers-by to access a suite of apps specific to their location. Tourist information, public transport services, maps of the area, local business promotions will all feature and regularly update.
The intelligent pavement was officially launched in Madrid on 26th December 2011. This initiative sees Madrid become the first European capital to turn its streets into a communications and customer service platform, making the Puerta del Sol the ground zero of intelligent pavements in Spain.
VIA INTELIGENTE has made alliances in Europe, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates for the commercialization of this international innovation. Developers are concentrating on installing the product within the larger Spanish cities at the moment. The paving stone isn't designed to be suitable for all climates. It only operates in temperatures between -10 degrees and 45 degrees. Naturally this won't be a problem in the temperate Mediterranean climes, but the technology will have to advance in order to make the product function in areas with extreme weather conditions.
Each stone will contain a 5GB microprocessor, which will then communicate and detect nearby hand-held devices. iPavement™ has two specifications – Classic and Foot Sensitive, the latter of which fulfils the regulation of universal accessibility. It is foot-sensitive (grooved) for the blind or the visually impaired. With four finishes in the range and an anti-slip coating, the paving stones are made to a high specification. The developers recommend a distance of 20 lineal meters between each paving stone, with pavement continuity of EPI Type A calcium carbonate to ensure propagation of waves. Each standard slab measures 40x40x7cm
iPavement™ will be widely manufactured in Spain by VIA INTELIGENTE from June 2012.
