EMI, 2020 / INFORMACIÓN / PROCESO / RELACIONADOS

The Montevideo Smart Stations (EMI) project is an urban support device designed locally in Uruguay, aimed at democratizing public access to technology, connectivity, and drinking water. Architecturally, the module’s morphology is based on the conceptual representation of a central tree that serves as a protective canopy, providing shade and shelter for users.

Its design integrates active and passive bioclimatic strategies: the roof harvests rainwater for the sustainable irrigation of surrounding native vegetation (a 1,000 m² public park precinct), while incorporating a misting cooling system with fine sprayers to mitigate urban heat island effects during summer.

Operationally, the station acts as a hyper-connected, multipurpose hub. It features interactive touchscreens running the TOMI accessibility software, which provides multilingual voice guidance and direct remote interaction via QR code scanning on mobile devices.

Beyond its digital capabilities, the physical module provides free Wi-Fi connectivity, USB charging ports, STM transit card top-up terminals, a bicycle repair and tire inflation totem, and a hot/cold drinking water dispenser. Additionally, the infrastructure reinforces public safety through integrated surveillance cameras and panic buttons linked directly to the city’s Mobility Management Center and Smart Cities platform.