Smart city technology saw developments on two fronts this past week as Verizon boosted its Internet of Things (IoT) strategy through the LQD WiFi acquisition and Spain’s Libelium launhced a new platform for smart city sensors.
TechCrunch reported that U.S.-based wireless giant Verizon acquired LQD WiFi to further its IoT strategy in the smart city arena. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but to date LQD had only raised $1.73 million in funding.
LQD develops outdoor display equipment that house sensors which collect weather, crowd and other data. The interactive displays also provide WiFi connectivity as well as community information and emergency alerts.
LQD’s primary product is a kiosk-like structure called Palo that seeks to engage citizens. The interactive array is in competition with the similar LinkNYC public terminal which suffered embarrassing headlines after its misuse for pornography and blaring music.
“LQD’s Palo technology hubs capture Verizon’s vision of delivering citizen engagement experiences by connecting people with their communities while providing critical security, transportation and wayfinding solutions as well as Wi-Fi capabilities,” said Verizon senior vice president Mike Lanman.
Verizon has made three other acquisitions this year to beef up its emerging IoT business. The IoT strategy is seen as syncing up with Verizon’s parallel acquisition program that is adding capabilities from consumer-focused media concerns.
Libelium debuts new platform
Meanwhile, Spain’s Libelium launched its new IoT Sensor Platform for Smart Cities at the Smart City Expo in Barcelona.
The platform is designed to provide increased accuracy for air quality and sound sensors, which is in response for market demands for higher precision.
The company said in a release that its enhanced sensor design on its new platform seeks to help smart cities of the future address two of the most important environmental risk factors. In particular the platform will accommodate sensor monitoring through highly accurate air pollution sensors and traffic monitoring microphones.
“The accuracy of these sensors and the fact of being wireless communicated with any Cloud platform in real time make them the perfect complement to extend the capillarity of these services in Smart Cities,” said Libelium Chief Technology Officer David Gascón.
