FIFTEEN multifunctional smart stone bollards in Longhua District featuring wireless charging, video displays, and safety features have become an internet sensation recently. Each bollard has a 30-centimeter-long display screen with a wireless charging zone embedded on the top, allowing users to charge their phones for free. Since they were installed at a square in front of the Hold Land shopping mall in Dalang Subdistrict on May 25, these bollards have drawn crowds of young people eager to try the unique charging experience. “I never knew stone bollards could serve as charging devices, so I came to try it as soon as I saw them online,” said a woman surnamed Wang, who was charging her mobile phone at one of the stone bollards. While still serving their original protective function, these stone bollards are mainly used for wireless charging during the day and for ambient lighting and displaying public-benefit videos at night, according to Huang Fei, general manager of the company that developed the bollards. The colorful lights embedded in the stone bollards have turned the area into a nighttime hotspot, drawing larger crowds and boosting foot traffic. All the bollards have passed extreme environmental condition testing, Huang said. Huang explained that by solving issues such as low-voltage power supply, outdoor waterproofing, and anti-vandalism design, his team transformed the bollards from simple safety fixtures into smart terminals. Huang said the upgraded bollards are equipped with a 12-volt safety voltage, a 250-kilogram frame for greater stability, a built-in 4G module for remote management and data collection, and a time-based operation mode that cuts energy consumption by 30% compared to traditional models. Work has begun on the next generation of smart stone bollards, which are expected to include environmental monitoring and emergency call features, according to sources familiar with the project. (People’s Daily) | 