Researchers have developed a low-power chip that promises to significantly reduce speech recognition energy demands, paving the way for further miniaturization of artificial intelligence (AI). India’s Deccan Chronicle reports on a new chip developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that is specialized for AI speech recognition. The new microprocessor uses just 1% of the […]
The bot invasion is on, powered by $24B in funding
While the manufacturing sector is increasingly using physical robots to improve industrial processes, the market for virtual bots or “chatbots” is also gaining serious traction in the space where humans and computers interact. Bots are essentially software technologies that automate tasks and enable effective human-computer interactions. Bots are increasingly taking over customer service operations in […]
Asia tipped to be the global smart cities leader
As the smart city movement grows around the world, a new study sees Asia emerging as the global smart city leader of the future. A recent Government Technology white paper “Evolution of Smart Cities and Connected Communities.” The study was co-sponsored by the Consumer Technology Association and the United Parcel Service (UPS). The paper focused on […]
Smart city investment opportunities target $1.6 trillion market
Smart city technology not only promises to improve city life for residents, but stands to make investors loads of money in the process. ValueWalk sums up the upbeat findings of a new report by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) on smart city investment. The report, entitled “21st Century Cities: Global Smart Cities Primer Picks” […]
Honeywell bets big on India’s smart city growth
American technology giant Honeywell is boosting its focus on the growing smart cities segment in India. The Times of India recently featured comments by Honeywell executives that highlighted India’s increasing role in the N.J.-based company’s future strategy. Specifically, India is a prime target for Honeywell’s newly formed Home and Building Technologies (HBT) division. The HBT […]
Five of the top global smart cities really are the brightest
A telltale clue that you’re in a smart city is prominent LED lighting infrastructure, and five of the smartest global cities are absolutely festooned with futuristic lampposts. Lux Review highlighted which cities are the global leaders when it comes to integrating advanced lighting and other smart technologies into the urban environment. Lux crowned the Spanish […]
Ovo ups its distributed energy game with VCharge smart grid buy
In a move that will beef up its distributed energy systems capabilities, U.K.-based Ovo Energy has acquired U.S. smart grid startup VCharge. As reported by Smart Cities World, Ovo bought the Providence, R.I.-based VCharge for an undisclosed sum. Ovo, based in Bristol, is one of England’s independent energy providers, buying and selling electricity and gas […]
Smart cities get connectivity guidance from Connected City Blueprint
A new strategic document backed by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) aims to help smart cities structure their connectivity plans. As reported by Smart Cities World, the first “Connected City Blueprint” was launched by the Connected City Advisory Board (CCAB). The board is an advisory committee under the aegis of the Singapore-based WBA. The WBA […]
Workplace wearables raise new privacy dilemmas for staff, firms
With the proliferation of wearable technology, companies are increasingly finding motivation to encourage staff to don connected devices. But on IDG’s CIO site tech writer Gary Eastwood delves into some of the worrisome privacy implications of wearbles in the workplace on employees. Companies are increasingly pushing wearable devices on their workers. In 2013, 2,000 firms worldwide […]
CCTV reruns: Video analytics mine old feeds for new data gold
Smart cities looking to generate more data insights are using cutting edge video analytics to mine feeds from old security cameras. In a recent commentary Hitachi Insight Group VP Mark Jules discussed how cities can generate data gold from trusty old school video cameras. He says video analytics are the secret to amping up the […]
Kansas City likes sharing its smart city data so other cities benefit too
Not only is Kansas City on the cutting edge of urban technology improvements, but it’s now sharing its insights to help improve other smart cities around the world. In a press release, Kansas City announced that it is now opening up the gates on its smart city data. In its first batch of data, it […]
Smart cities need more industry partnerships, less gadget worship
While a dizzying array of connected gadgetry is vying for room on city leaders’ wish lists, industry experts advise less focus on the technology itself and more on industry partnerships that can build out smart cities. At the recent U.S. Conference of Mayors held in Washington, D.C., Joanne Hovis, president of Maryland-based IT consultancy CTC […]
Here are 10 finalists vying for U.S. smart cities grant program
Ten American cities have been shortlisted for the Smart Cities Council Readiness Challenge Grant program, the winners of which will be announced next week. The Smart Cities Council has released a short list of cities that will be competing for the grant program. Winning cities have access to smart city-related offerings such as: professional services; […]
Thailand pushes public-private partnerships to build smart cities
Faced with daunting costs for urban technology upgrades, the government of Thailand is actively fostering private smart city partnerships. Singapore’s e27 News examined Thailand’s recent prioritization of private smart city partnerships. Under a government plan to accelerate smart cities around the country, Thailand has called on private industry to launch ventures devoted to innovation, asset […]
Chicago gets smart cities boost with CIVIQ Wi-Fi project
Chicago will be the site of another smart city initiative as CIVIQ Smartscapes announced plans to launch a new Wi-Fi powered pilot project. Milford, Ma.-based CIVIQ will install interactive devices in downtown Chicago that offer high-speed public Wi-Fi. On top of wireless connectivity, the Waypoint devices will also provide such digital services as wayfinding, safety […]
Can Seattle’s silo-busting keep it from becoming a “dumb” smart city?
Though many cities are rushing to launch smart city projects willy nilly, Seattle is taking a deeper look at how to implement new technology that doesn’t build more dumb silos. Seattle is making a concerted effort to put new connected technology in place that is properly integrated horizontally instead of it building vertical silos. See […]
India’s cities get smarter with new project to boost data tracking
A charity is partnering with the World Council on City Data to build the capabilities of Indian cities to track city performance with data. As reported in the Times of India, the data project is called the City Data India Initiative. It is being spearheaded by Tata Trusts, the charitable organisation that controls two-thirds equity […]
U.S. mid-sized cities lead the charge for smart city projects
Though the big American metropolises often hog the smart city headlines, a new study found that U.S. mid-sized cities are the true technology leaders. A new study into U.S. smart city activity demonstrated that mid-sized cities were filling the pipeline with the most urban technology projects. The survey of 54 American cities was produced by […]
Can smart cities protect their IoT Achilles heel from hackers?
Last year’s headline-grabbing security breaches of Internet of Things (IoT) technology was the opening salvo in a new cyberwar where smart cities are firmly in the crosshairs. Smart city security vulnerabilities were a recent topic of discussion with Paul Williams, SADC Country Manager with cyber security software firm Fortinet. Williams says that 2016’s high profile […]
Come play in the IIoT sensor test sandbox for smart factories
TE Connectivity is partnering with a consortium of companies to launch a new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) testbed for sensors connected to the cloud and smart factory machinery. A recent Control Engineering Europe article discussed the new testbed with Daniel Walldorf and Michael Hilgner from TE Connectivity. TE, formerly Tyco Electronics, designs and manufactures […]