Bright idea? UK firm pioneers mini data centres using lampposts
A UK-based company, Conflow Power Group, is deploying solar-powered smart lampposts called iLamps that double as mini data centres and AI surveillance units. The technology has been trialled in the UK and is set for large-scale deployment in Nigeria, with potential expansion to Florida. While experts question their ability to replace large data centres, the iLamps may serve as low-power, distributed computing nodes for less intensive AI tasks.
- ▪Conflow Power Group has signed an agreement to deploy 50,000 iLamps in Katsina, a Nigerian state.
- ▪Each iLamp contains a low-powered computer powered by a 15-watt solar-charged battery, suitable for limited AI processing.
- ▪The iLamps can function as AI-powered surveillance cameras with capabilities including number plate recognition and detecting traffic violations.
- ▪CPG chairman Edward Fitzpatrick claims the chips inside the iLamps are designed to 'fry' if removed, addressing theft concerns.
- ▪Katsina will generate revenue by leasing processing power from the iLamps, with CPG taking a 20% cut after three years.
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Bright idea? UK firm pioneers mini data centres using lamppostsJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleConflow Power GroupA group of iLamps in Morocco There have been many attempts to put data centres in unusual places over the years - Microsoft put a data centre under the sea, Elon Musk has suggested putting them in space.Now a UK firm is betting on data centres using thousands of connected smart lampposts, and has signed a formal agreement with a Nigerian state to deploy 50,000 of them.Warwickshire-based Conflow Power Group Limited (CPG) says networked together its solar-powered iLamp units "double as a revenue-generating distributed AI data centre".
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