Singapore, Netherlands marry nature and technology at Dubai Expo

Dubai: Amid the soaring temperatures of the United Arab Emirates, visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai can take refuge at the Singapore pavilion's mini rainforest.

With 80,000 plants from 170 different species, the multi-layered structure is a green oasis amid the arid desert climate. A self-sufficient ecosystem, the hanging gardens and vertical plant walls help keep temperatures down, aided by a robot prototype designed to monitor humidity levels and plant health.

"We use the sun energy to draw up groundwater from within the pavilion," explained Yap Lay Bee, deputy commissioner-general, Singapore Pavilion. "The water is then used back to irrigate the plants and meet the needs of the operations."