• The new system harnesses energy from pedestrians’ steps as they pass by
• Solar panels are also used to bolster power, which switches on at night
• The innovative lights have been installed on Las Vegas’ Boulder Plaza 

Next time you happen to find yourself strolling through Las Vegas on holiday, you’ll find you have some powerful feet.All thanks to a new system installed in Nevada’s gambling haven which is harnessing energy from pedestrians’ footsteps to illuminate street lamps. A New York-based startup called EngoPlanet has built the lights, which are fueled by kinetic energy that has been absorbed by special tiles on the sidewalk made by London company Pavegen.

The tiles created by the London technology company which has developed paving slabs to convert energy from people’s footsteps into electrical power. The tiles will convert energy from people’s footsteps on the city’s Boulder Plaza into electrical power, which will be stored until nightfall when the street lamps switch on automatically.

EngoPlanet’s innovative street lamps, designed in conjunction with Pavegen, also feature solar panels that absorb the sun’s power and contribute to the system.

The lamps – which produce energy that is entirely free – also boast Wi-Fi hotspots and charging stations for passers-by to use at their leisure. According to the company, there are more than 300 million street lights around the world which cost more than 40 billion dollars to run. These lights release more than 100 million tons of carbon dioxide every year.

EngoPlanet’s CEO Petar Mirovic states: ‘If you look at traditional street light poles, you will see that they are useless. They simply hold the lighting.’

He added: ‘With our solution, we’ve changed that by incorporating useful features into the pole and transforming it into a free service spot where people can rest, charge their portable devices, or connect to Wi-Fi.’

Los Angeles Mayor Carolyn G Goodman added: ‘The city of Las Vegas is a leader in sustainability. We are always interested in exploring new technologies that can help us to preserve our city for future generations.’

The lights are also being installed in Philadelphia and Saint Louis, and further afield, Oman.