Dubai Hoping To Use Technology To Make ‘Smart City’

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — After years of chasing the biggest and the best, the fast-growing Mideast city of Dubai is turning to technology to help the little things in life run more smoothly.

Government officials presented a wide range of projects Wednesday to ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that are aimed at turning Dubai into what they're calling a "smart city" ahead of its hosting of the 2020 World Expo.

At a flashy event reminiscent of a Silicon Valley product rollout, they laid out plans for Wi-Fi access in city parks, buses and taxis. Also in the works: systems to help drivers find parking spots, schemes to connect home solar panels to the electric grid and a network of charging stations for electric cars.

Left unsaid was the cost for the projects.

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