We're living in the future.
Or at least the people of Cork are.
Its city council has installed 5 new "robot trees "in the city centre, at a cost of €350,000 per year.
The high-tech trees, which have received a mixed reception, are part of the city's environmental strategy to tackle pollution.
sorry to Cork folks but any time ye ever get uppity about who is the real capital again im just gonna say "robot trees lol" and that's the end of the argument tbh
— The Foggy Jew (@HMcEvansoneya) August 9, 2021
The devices come with a 40-inch TV screen showing air quality and an inbuilt chair, to provide street furniture.
Head of Operations at Cork City Council David Joyce says the tree contains a special moss that can absorb particular matter - or dust.
"It takes particular matter, dust in effect, that comes out during the burning of fossil fuels".
"Its captures that in the forms of moss and the moss eats the dust".
Mr Joyce says the trees clean 80 percent of the dust in the air.
