1.
Singapore is DECADES ahead of us.
2.
And South Korea is EONS ahead.
3.
Using water to project a stop sign only when needed is so clever, and yet America never thought of it! This is in the Sydney Tunnel in Australia.
4.
Imagine looking out the window of your apartment and seeing THIS. That’s the reality for some people in Dubai.
5.
These solar and wind-powered streetlights in Tokyo are the future and should be everywhere in the US.
6.
In Germany, there is a hydrogen-powered train that is completely emission-free (unless you count water!). If Germany can do it, why not us?
7.
This baggage claim at Singapore’s Changi Airport is smarter than me.
8.
Yeah, Imma need to book a trip to Singapore immediately.
9.
A city in Germany has tested out what they call “Ulmer Nests,” which are essentially sleeping pods for anyone experiencing homelessness in the winter (they haven’t officially been rolled out yet and are still undergoing tests). Yes, they feel a little dystopian), but it’d sure be nice if the US took more of an interest in the safety of unhoused people.
10.
Struggling through this summer heat in NYC has me convinced we need this here.
11.
I don’t know why every city doesn’t have these lights on the pavement so people glued to their cell phones know when it’s safe to cross the street — hats off to you, South Korea.
12.
Entertainment and safety??? Sign me up.
13.
This fake tree in France that’s actually a wind turbine that provides power is just so clever to me.
14.
It’s time to follow Sweden and do away with recycling machines that only take one bottle at a time — you can just pour a whole bag in here!
15.
The US needs to get better at recycling overall. Like, check out this machine in Istanbul that encourages recycling by dispensing free food and water for stray dogs if you just recycle one bottle.
16.
Forget going to the doctor — at some places in China, you can get a health checkup from a urinal that analyzes your urine.
17.
These train seats in Australia that can switch directions are a next-level idea.
18.
This self-cleaning toilet in Paris puts every public bathroom in the US to shame.
19.
Every beach in the US should have a dog shower like this one in Spain. Actually, can we get human showers like this, too?
20.
Ever dreamed of flying first class? Dream bigger. This is what flying first class means to Singapore Airlines.
21.
I’m going to need NYC to follow Amsterdam’s example when it comes to moving. Yep, that’s a crane that transports furniture out a window to the street, so you don’t have to deal with screaming “PIVOT!!!!” on tiny staircases.
22.
You can literally take a train in Germany that’s actually a techno club.
23.
There’s no real functional purpose for this, but this tennis court in Dubai just feels so wildly futuristic to me.
24.
This water fountain in Singapore is kind of giving toilet bowl, but it’s so cool that I’ll forgive that resemblance.
25.
Imagine just leaving the airport after a flight and turning around to see THIS. That’s the reality at the Singapore Changi Airport!
26.
There’s something so relaxing about enjoying a cup of coffee in the rain, so I would love to go to this cafe in Seoul with its own rain — though I hope they also have umbrellas.
27.
In Kuwait, there are spots specifically for older adults, which we should 100% have here.
28.
It’s now my dream to dine in a restaurant in a massive tree like this one in Thailand.
29.
Why don’t we have pineapple-slicing machines in the US like Germany does???
30.
This is such a clever idea that the US should adopt!
31.
I have a deep, visceral need to travel to India to go to this ice cafe.
32.
The only problem with these perfect to-go capsules is that I’d probably down like five before work if we had them here.
33.
Ever looked up and seen a plane in the sky and wondered where it was going? With this billboard in London, you don’t have to.
34.
London has a “floating” pool, and though I’m terrified, I can’t ignore the intense call in my heart to swim in it.
35.
I’ve actually been to one of these 2D cafes before (in Paris), and they are SO COOL. This one’s in Seoul.
36.
This is also not that futuristic, but I would love for my food and drinks to be delivered to me via mini trains, like at this restaurant in Prague.
37.
In Japan, there are cafes where they will do this level of latte art (by hand!!!), and Imma need Starbucks in the US to step it up.
38.
Australia also uses sewer filters so that garbage won’t be transported out to clog rivers.
39.
They also use mesh drains for the same reason.
40.
This 3D-looking pavement in Spain is perfect for keeping children moving slowly and deterring intoxicated people.
41.
This hotel carpet has a similar concept.
42.
Apparently, there are plenty of these accessibility lanes in Europe (this was taken in Paris), but I feel like they need to be everywhere.
43.
Osaka utilizes braille signposts at four-way intersections, and I don’t understand why the US doesn’t.
44.
This 3D map for blind people at a train station in Denmark should be at every train station in the US…actually, make that any public space.
45.
And finally…how come pets don’t get ID cards in America like they do in Hong Kong???
G2G, actually, I have a flight to catch! Let us know the coolest things you’ve seen in non-US cities in the comments below.
