The new technologies developed for the World Cup in Qatar and their impact for the future

November 2022 | by Annelize Pires

Less than fifteen days before the start of the World Cup in Qatar , one of the main highlights related to the theme is the investment in innovation thought especially for the event and how new technologies can impact the biggest sporting event in the world (and if the hexa comes , clear!).

In general, the country is considered one of the richest in the world, with a prominent GDP, which reached the mark of US$ 179.57 billion in 2021, according to data from the World Bank. This isolated fact alone indicates its relevance with regard to economic and development potential, taking into account that the world was in the midst of a pandemic in the year in question.

With an economy predominantly coming from the oil industry, natural gas, as well as the export of these products, the high demand and the financial return are very expressive in the country. That said, Qatar has shown, for some time now, an impetus to develop in other areas and expand its capabilities even further.

In this sense, the 2022 World Cup becomes a perfect scenario for this objective, as it turns the eyes of the whole world to the country, transforming it into an important showcase for innovations and for the development of the region. Check below the technologies developed to provide football and fans with the best conditions to enjoy the event, some of them were very daring!

Main technologies developed for the World Cup in Qatar

One of the main topics addressed by the country for the World Cup is the search for low environmental impact, based on technological application. Designated for the opening and final of the championship, the Lusail Stadium, with capacity for 80,000 people, will have a sustainable cooling system to maintain the ambient temperature at 21 degrees, as announced by the event committee. As it is a country with a very hot climate, offering climate comfort to spectators and teams is a very important point.

To this end, as disclosed in an interview by Abdul Ghani, developer of the technology, on Portal Terra, the air conditioning in the stadiums is powered by solar panels and has thermal insulation and sensors to use the right dose of energy in each area, without committing excesses.

This is a very clear example of how the optimization of resources is increasingly important for consumers, to the point that this topic is a priority in investments in the host country (I hope you are not one of the companies that still maintains data center , full of idle resources…). This is proof that it is possible to apply sustainability thinking about reducing the environmental impact, even with small steps.

In addition, the stadium will be transformed into a community space for schools, companies, hospitals, among other purposes, after the end of the Cup.

Another important highlight is related to the so-called “Smart Cities”, made up of a series of innovative solutions known as the Qatar Innovations Centre, which use the Internet of Things (IoT) to build their entire interconnection, which makes life easier for visitors who will be able to plan their routes with real-time information about traffic, taxis, the transport system, and even entrances and exits. This interconnection is an important example of the application of the Internet of Things to real life.

Nothing different from the experience we should offer to a customer in a clothing store, to a rural producer with extensive and/or diverse production, or even to a logistics company that interacts with several manufacturers and several distributors.

The use of LED lamps in stadiums is also a relevant novelty, in terms of technological and sustainable union. This lighting model is extremely efficient in its lighting proposal, in addition to being non-toxic and having a long useful life. A simple initiative that applies ESG concepts that are so much discussed today.

Finally, the “smart Wi-Fis” application will provide shade and device charging from the “ElPalm” shading wind turbine. The tool allows generating electricity through solar panels and bifacial photovoltaic panels. The result is that people can sit in the shade and quickly charge their phone via USB or even wirelessly, as well as using it as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Amazing, isn't it?

First World Cup with 5G

5G is here to deliver high data speeds, ultra-low latency, increased reliability, massive usage capability, higher availability, and a seamless experience for more users. Plus, increased performance and improved efficiency power new user experiences and connect new industries.

In this way, the new model directly impacts viewers, who will be able to share experiences instantly. All of this offers an even greater sense of immersion in the lived experience.

For those attending the event from the other side of the world, it is worth following the massive performance of this technology and getting ready to provide even better experiences for our consumers now that we also have access to it.

It is worth remembering that the additional speed of 5G over 4G will also be a driver for cloud adoption, which can make your company increasingly efficient.

Ultra-low latency ensures that companies don't have to wait long to access data stored in the cloud or even to perform operations in cloud-based software . On the contrary, the exchange of information happens almost instantaneously between the systems, expanding the range of possibilities for the professionals who will participate in the event (and for us who have it here too!).

New technologies and sustainability

Since 2009, Qatar has been working to create sustainable spaces, such as the construction of green buildings with design and construction processes designed to promote the concept of sustainability to the world, as well as to offer energy savings, better cooling and use of resources. All of this, based on planning, testing possibilities and discovering functional means.

From this, technology also offers several solutions to help society become more sustainable, making life easier and promoting new ways to take advantage of abundant resources, such as wind and sunlight. Smart building systems, robotics, IoT and other tools are critical for cities and organizations to become more efficient and use natural resources appropriately.

In addition to the sustainability theme, the World Cup in Qatar also highlights the importance of investing in favor of inclusion. The creation of the Accessibility Forum highlights how it is possible to use innovative resources to support development on the subject. The country's aim is to ensure that people with disabilities and limited mobility can enjoy the tournament in the same way as everyone else.

The technological impact of the World Cup in Qatar for the future

In general, the solutions and technologies developed for the World Cup will certainly be applied in several other championships around the world, with Qatar as the 'patent' for these developments.

With the guarantee of continuity in its use, technology makes it possible for there to be no time or place limitation, if it is well used and designed. In this way, a relevant point related to its use is the advantages provided in the long term. Because of this, its application should be, whenever possible, designed for the greater good.

In view of all these points, it is understood that events of this magnitude are great gateways to test new solutions that are being developed, since they have a limited period of time, which helps in testing and new possibilities and, at the same time, time, collaborate for the visibility and expansion in the use of certain resources.