Smart cities: Can we afford them?

Tech and infrastructure advancements won’t come cheap to most cities. Many decisions will boil down to how fast do we want to do this, and where do we want to start?

By Todd Thibodeaux • July 18, 2018

How police are adopting smart tech to improve public safety

From bodycams to drones and facial recognition, police departments are using innovative approaches to protect citizens — and their civil liberties.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 17, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Cities are increasingly looking to technology and data to address real-world issues from traffic safety to law enforcement.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

FCC likely to approve policy that would help Google Fiber expansion

Google Fiber said it "didn't fully appreciate" how access to pole space would be such a barrier to a full rollout of its gigabit-speed fiber internet.

By Jason Plautz • July 17, 2018

For many US cities, the digital divide is more than an infrastructure problem

Broadband access problems aren't limited to rural areas. In cities, the digital divide is a barrier to urban revitalization and the full realization of a "smart city" vision.

By Jason Plautz • July 16, 2018

Army taps Austin, TX for new research and development facility

The Army said Austin’s existing tech scene and academic environment from the University of Texas made it the ideal site for the headquarters.

By Jason Plautz • July 16, 2018

For some Baltimore residents, a smart city simply means more Wi-Fi access

A recent survey of West Baltimore residents found 68% of respondents use their cell phones to search for jobs, complete homework or stay connected to the community, as leaders seek to "close the digital divide."

By Kristin Musulin • July 13, 2018

Facebook ups AI research with navigation tests

Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research says the "Talk the Walk" program's goal is to achieve "full comprehension of human language."

By Jason Plautz • July 13, 2018

Uber lays off AV testers in Pittsburgh, San Francisco

Some might view these layoffs and Uber's widespread scale-back as an indication that it intends to shut down its AV sector altogether.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 13, 2018

FCC to auction high-band frequency spectrum for 5G deployment

Beyond offering faster wireless and broadband to customers, wider deployment of 5G will help advance connected vehicles and infrastructure technology that smart cities are eyeing.

By Jason Plautz • July 12, 2018

Waze, Esri expand partnership to provide real-time road data to cities

The data will be available in Esri’s ArcGIS Marketplace, which allows cities to use it without purchasing additional software or writing code.

By Jason Plautz • July 11, 2018

10 times fiction predicted smart city advancements

From data analytics to hyperloop and cutting-edge transportation methods, many smart city concepts aren't entirely original ideas.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2018

Lime announces Uber as 'strategic partner' of scooter operations

The ride-share company will invest in Lime as part of the partnership, which comes less than a week after rival Lyft invested in bike-share provider Motivate.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2018

Smart Cities Council releases online project coordination platform

The platform promises to not just help individual cities move through projects with less bureaucracy, but to help share best practices among cities around the world.

By Jason Plautz • July 9, 2018

AV learns to drive in just 20 minutes using unique algorithm

Cambridge, England-based Wayve used machine-learning through its safety driver, correcting mistakes to teach its AV how to keep on course.

By Chris Teale • July 9, 2018

Uber applies for patent to boost navigation safety

The technology would analyze factors including street conditions, crime and drivers' vehicle model, but could be controversial if granted.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 5, 2018

Auckland, New Zealand safe swimming platform wins IDC Smart City Award

The Safeswim program has real-time data to generate forecasts for 92 swimming sites, and is part of a wider push among cities to use data to make life easier.

By Jason Plautz • July 5, 2018

Lyft's Motivate acquisition part of industry-wide move toward integrated transit options

The ride-hailing app wants to provide options across different modes of transportation, as does competitor Uber, which also announced similar partnerships this year.

By Chris Teale • July 5, 2018

Leading Cities announces global competition for smart cities startups

The AcceliCITY contest calls on companies to connect with city leaders to help bridge the gap between the public and private sectors.

By Jason Plautz • July 5, 2018

Chinese mobile payment company expands to San Francisco

Inspiry will roll out its self-service QR-code payment device for Chinese tourists at several restaurants in Fisherman’s Wharf, allowing them to pay via AliPay.

By Jason Plautz • July 4, 2018

NYC launches interactive map showing progress on city projects

The initiative is intended to provide transparency in several neighborhoods the city is rezoning, including East New York, East Harlem and Downtown Far Rockaway.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 3, 2018

A North Carolina city pays the most for cybersecurity jobs. Surprised?

When adjusted for cost of living, cybersecurity professionals earn more in Charlotte, North Carolina than any other U.S. city. 

By Samantha Schwartz • July 2, 2018

AT&T announces 5G trial in South Bend, IN

The telecoms provider has been charging hard on rolling out the new technology, and hopes to introduce it fully into 12 cities by the end of the year.

By Jason Plautz • June 29, 2018

High-speed broadband, autonomous vehicles and small-town and rural communities

The lack of high-speed broadband has hampered economic growth in small-town and rural America for the past two decades, and could mean these communities will be largely excluded from AVs.

By Dale Neef • June 29, 2018

Driverless grocery store ready to roll out pilot in two markets

Robomart will test six mobile markets in California that shoppers can summon with their phone — and when it arrives, they can pick produce and snacks. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 29, 2018

Report: Cities must take 'strategic steps' to adapt to increased automation

New research from the National League of Cities warns the economy must diversify and cities must invest more in education to improve residents' skill sets.

By Chris Teale • June 28, 2018