Smart lampposts provide public charging service in Beijing

(ECNS) -- Beijing has accelerated the construction of smart lampposts, with shared power banks and wireless charging equipment installed to serve the public at low prices or even for free.

In Daxing District, some shared power banks provided by private companies have been installed along the lower part of these lampposts. Passers-by can use the shared power banks by scanning the QR code for three yuan ($0.41) per hour, one yuan lower than at nearby malls.  

The idea was inspired by uneven distribution and inconvenient use of shared power banks, according to a company engaging in the business. It said that Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) had begun to install both plug-in and embedded shared power banks.

These lampposts have integrated a variety of functions such as monitoring networks to guarantee public safety, vehicle-road coordination systems, and 5G micro base stations to realize power supply, internet access, self-driving and intelligent monitoring and control, the company noted.

It added that with the construction of self-driving demonstration zones in the future, they will be distributed in several areas on a large scale.

Dongcheng District is promoting the installation of smart lampposts, too. Wireless charging equipment has been installed at the bottom of lampposts in some areas of the district, providing free charging services. Passers-by can charge their phones by placing them on these charging devices.

A staff member from the State Grid Beijing Electric Power Company said these smart lampposts are funded and constructed by the company as supporting facilities for local residents.

“I no longer need to find a place to charge my phone with these convenient charging facilities,” said Ms Yuan, a local resident.

The first batch of 10 smart lampposts providing charging services have been put into operation in the east part of Beijing-Miyun North Road, with eight quick-charging lampposts.

Currently, Beijing has published regulations on smart lamppost construction that regulates that that devices such as USB interface charging, quick calling and touch screen can be installed at a height below 2.5 meters.