Pictures of the Future      Spring 2008

Desert Ice

May 2020. Iceworld, a miniature replica of Iceland, has just opened at a desert location. Project manager Jimmy Cargon is showing a journalist the gigantic hall’s many technological refinements.

An icy paradise complete with ski lifts, geysers, and mountain hotels in one of the hottest places on earth? "How did you manage it?" asks Filippo Celentano, who can hardly believe what he’s seeing beyond the train window. "With a mixture of precision, creativity, and artificial intelligence," answers project manager Jimmy Cargon, from the World Solutions technology consortium, with a smile. "Once the client had outlined his vision in the course of a couple of consultation sessions, it was simply a question of putting together the necessary components from our portfolio: motors, trains, water technology, the complete software, and so forth."

"Sounds pretty complicated to me," says Celentano. "Not at all," Cargon replies. "We put together a project group comprising one specialist from each of the areas involved and representatives from all our partners. We then combined the various elements on a computer with the help of special planning software and went on for as long as it took until all the required features functioned perfectly in our simulation."

Celentano points to the red armband that he received at the entrance to Iceworld. "I bet it didn’t take you long to design that." Cargon laughs. "If only you knew!" he say. "Not only is there a standard chip in there, which turns the armband into a universal payment device as well as the key to your room; there’s also sophisticated biometric software that enables cameras to compare a 3D image of your face and the geometry of your hand with the data on the chip. That’s what makes the whole thing absolutely foolproof against forgery."

While Celentano is marveling at the technology, Cargon moves smoothly on to the next highlight, saying, "And then there’s the intelligent train control system, which ensures that we can move safely and smoothly through the hall without the need for a driver. Or take the airships up above us that have been converted into luxury suites in line with the client’s wishes. That’s where the sheikh and his family go to get away from it all!"

Just then, a geyser erupts in a huge column of steam right beside the train. "Just take a look at that!" whoops Cargon. Celentano raises his eyebrows. "Not bad! But when I think about how much electricity the whole thing must use…"

"Believe it or not," his host interrupts, "we’ve been able to radically reduce our energy consumption and only use green power. An IT solution we developed analyzes how much electricity individual systems are using and automatically controls items like the geysers, so that they are only activated when the power consumed by other items of equipment declines. Besides, all the electricity we use is generated by a series of solar power plants. In other words, the icy temperatures that reign in here are produced by the scorching desert sun outside."

"Well, I must say, I’m really impressed," Celentano admits. "But it must have cost a fortune to develop this artificial winter world?" "You better believe it," Cargon agrees. "That said, we’ve also been able to develop a modular concept. That means that the systems behind the scenes—for example, the control technology, the heating and cooling systems, and the power generation—form a replicable framework. In contrast, the visible items, such as the geysers, the snow cannons, and the ski lifts, are all modules that are plugged into this framework, as it were, by means of compatible interfaces. The tropical world, which we’re currently building in one of the other emirates, has therefore been much cheaper to develop, because we already had the framework."

The train glides past an ice stadium still under construction. "So, new things are being added all the time?" Celentano asks. "That’s right," says Cargon. "But because of space limitations, many of them are only temporary. For example, this ice rink, which boasts a lightweight design and has seating for 2,500 people, will host an international figure skating championships in around four weeks. After the event, we’ll simply dismantle it."

"It all sounds like a pretty straightforward project, then," Celentano remarks. "Well, there were certainly a few tough problems to crack on the way," Cargon reveals. "For example, Iceworld was planned, developed, built, and commissioned in record time. In addition, one of the conditions stipulated that every user interface—whether the systems behind the scenes or the new ordering terminals at restaurant tables—had to be self-explanatory. We can thank the planning software that the commissioning procedure ran so smoothly. It enabled us to simulate the entire facility until all the various systems were working in perfect harmony. The user interfaces were designed with the help of a new software tool and a number of test candidates.

At the moment, we’re feeding the database with information we’ve gathered from the experiences made by real-life visitors to Iceworld. That way, the software can learn on the job and continue to enhance the performance of the user interfaces..."

"This is a passenger announcement. We will be arriving shortly at the terminal station," says a voice from an invisible loudspeaker. "Before I go, you must tell me what the whole project cost," says Celentano. "Well, let’s say it cost enough to warren our putting together a financing model, despite the client’s wealth," replies Cargon, as the two men move toward the door of the train. "In addition to receiving fixed payments, our consortium also holds the rights to operate the power plants for the next 25 years. And that’s a very lucrative proposition. On that note, let me treat you to a mulled wine in the winter market. I bet you’ve never tasted better, even if it is alcohol-free here!"
                                                                                                           Sebastian Webel