EXPO 2020 DUBAI
“ Expo 2020 can be enjoyed by everyone around the world thanks to our Augmented Reality ( AR ) and Virtual Reality ( VR ) experiences ,” he said speaking from the UAE Pavilion , built in the shape of a flying falcon , the national bird of the UAE .
“ We are going to make sure we reach out to every individual around the world to experience everything Expo 2020 has to offer whether they are on site or at home . With the use of AR or VR they will be able to see every building and enjoy every experience ,” said Alhashmi who feels this on-line taster could prompt more physical visits .
“ We are setting standards for the future . We are not only aiming for 25 million physical visits but many more virtual visitations as well ,” he said .
Scale that defies belief During the past five decades , Dubai has become synonymous with breaking records from the world ’ s tallest building in the shape of the Burj Khalifa to the highest infinity pool and largest fountain . So it comes as no surprise that the sheer scale of Expo 2020 – which covers an area the size of 613 football pitches – and its promise of cutting-edge innovation and technology from 192 countries looks set to continue this trend .
For 170 years , World Expos have provided a platform to showcase the greatest innovations that have shaped the world we live in today , from Charles Babbage ’ s Analytical Engine , one of the first mechanical computers in 1862 , to the first live television broadcast made at the New York World Fair in 1939 . So what can we expect from this 182-day exposition , which runs from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 ?
“ We are going to make sure we reach out to every individual around the world to experience everything Expo 2020 has to offer whether they are on site or at home . Using technology , they will be able to see every building and enjoy every experience ”
MOHAMMED ALHASHMI CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER , EXPO 2020 DUBAI
Described as the beating heart of Expo 2020 , Al Wasl Plaza ’ s dome stands at the heart of the Expo site and serves as the largest 360-degree projection surface in the world . In a similar fashion to the Olympic village , Expo 2020 will evolve into District 2020 , a smart , sustainable city that will provide a curated innovation-driven business ecosystem that will bring together global minds and embrace technology and digital innovation .
The gleaming dome structure looks set to define the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East , Africa and South Asia . As one of three sub-themes , sustainability lies at the heart of Expo 2020 , along with the theme of ‘ Connecting Minds , Creating the Future ’, aimed at inspiring people by showcasing the best examples of collaboration , innovation and cooperation .
28 October 2021