Qatar:What will they think of next?

As you may have heard, there is some controversy surrounding Qatar being chosen as the host country of the 2022 World Cup. Part of their bid package was a promise to air condition the nine new soccer stadiums they will build, despite the fact that the stadiums will be open-air. This will be quite a challenge as Qatar summer temperatures reach upwards of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The latest twist in this story is the announcement of a new project - the Qataris plan to build an a mechanical "cloud", depicted below.

The concept is to have the "cloud" hover above the soccer-loving crowds and deflect direct and indirect sun rays, thus, lowering the temperatures at the open air stadiums. The "cloud" will move by remote control, be made of light carbonic materials, and run on solar-power.

The project is being headed up by the school of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Qatar University and will be executed in collaboration with Qatar Science and Technology Park. The current project budget is $500,000, however, it is hoped that the initial high cost will be offset by the future launch of similar models with commercial applications. Imagine the cloud hovering above beaches with advertisement campaigns or having your own private cell-phone controlled "cloud" shielding you car as it is parked on a hot summer day!

Photo Credit: Peninsula News Paper