The Prince is presented with a toddler’s race suit embroidered with ‘HRH’ , a perfect gift for his soon to be born grandson/daughter, at the Williams Technology Centre.
Prince Charles of Wales visited the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), a Qatar Foundation affiliate, as part of his visit to Qatar yesterday.
During the visit, Prince Charles was briefed on the work of QSTP as a home for technology companies from all over the world, especially start-ups.
QSTP managing director Hamad Mohamed al-Kuwari explained to the prince the objectives of the park which aims to attract leading world companies to develop their technologies and market them internationally.
The visit also saw Prince Charles tour the Williams Technology Centre, the site of Formula 1 British team Williams at QSTP, touring the centre, which is considered the first of its kind out of Europe.
The prince undertook a tour of the Williams Technology Centre to learn about its research programmes and the growing ties between Williams and the Qatar.
He was joined by Qatar Foundation president Dr Mohamed Fathy Saoud and the executive vice-president of research and development at Qatar Foundation, Dr Thomas Zacharia.
Prince Charles was shown two technologies being developed by the Qatar team that originated in the Williams Formula One programme but have since been adapted to tackle important issues such as road safety and energy efficiency. He was first shown the cutting-edge road safety simulators that are being developed; these use a realistic car chassis and sophisticated artificial intelligence to train local drivers and help reduce road accidents in Qatar.
This was followed by a demonstration of Williams Advanced Engineering’s flywheel energy storage technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in public transport and renewable energy applications and has the potential to make Qatar’s planned public transport infrastructure one of the most environment-friendly in the world.
Clarence House spokesperson Paddy Harverson said, “The prince enjoyed his visit to Williams Technology Centre. He was fascinated to see how the company is applying its cutting-edge Formula One technology to help tackle problems in everyday driving. To see a British company succeed overseas is always encouraging.”
