London’s Strawberry smart bench network gives boost to cancer research
Smart city business Strawberry Energy UK has joined forces with Cancer Research UK to launch a network of ‘contactless’ smart benches (#SmartBenchUK) in time for World Cancer Day (4 February).
The pilot scheme of ten solar-powered benches will enhance public spaces in the boroughs of Lewisham and Islington by providing mobile device charging ports and free wifi access.
The first smart benches will feature a number of contactless payment locations including Islington Green and Lewisham High Street.
Following the pilot a further ten will be installed by the end of February, with an extra 80 to be installed this year.
Sensors built into the benches monitor environmental data including air quality, which users can check via the Strawberry Energy smart phone app, providing a valuable tool for users and feeding data to local boroughs.
This is especially relevant in support of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s aim to improve the capital’s air quality.
Serbia’s solar pioneers make London smarter
London’s streets have been made a little smarter, thanks to a young team of solar pioneers from Belgrade.
Strawberry Energy has brought its award-winning range of smart street furniture to the capital, with visitors to the Canary Wharf business park being first to enjoy the benefits of free solar energy to charge their mobile phones and devices.
Four of the benches have been installed at Jubilee Park, Cabot Square, Westferry Circus, and in front of Crossrail Station at Canary Wharf.
As well as powering-up mobiles, tablets and portable music players, the Strawberry Smart Benches track air quality and noise levels in the area and include an emergency call button linked to the Canary Wharf security team.
Do Belgrade hotels provide service with a smile?
As Belgrade attracts growing numbers of tourists and business travellers, the capital’s hotels and service industries are stepping up their game.
Tourists attracted by a creative wave that is sweeping the city’s cosmopolitan design districts are part of a renaissance that has tourist chiefs buzzing, while foreign investment is attracting increasing numbers of business travellers to Belgrade.
As visitor figures rise, the call on hotel beds to suit all budgets can only increase.
International luxury hotels are opening in the city, such as the waterside Radisson Blu Old Mill and the delayed new Marriott beside the National Theatre, to satisfy the growth in business and high-end travellers.
Lady Gaga gets a taste for Belgrade
Belgrade has boldly carved a name for itself as a year-round party capital where anything goes and everything is possible.
This is just the type of place for an international superstar to let her hair down.
So it came as no surprise that, when Lady Gaga flew into Belgrade to visit her fiancé Taylor Kinney who is filming there, she was irresistibly drawn to Belgrade’s exclusive dining and clubbing hotspots.
After all, this is a woman who loves to party.
International media has splashed paparazzi shots of Gaga enjoying the best of Belgrade.
She has been pictured enjoying romantic moments with Taylor beside the Danube, leaving restaurants and enjoying cosy drinks. All very cosy, all very managed.
