Smart City

A smart city uses IoT sensors and technology to connect components across a city to derive data and improve the lives of citizens and visitors.

A smart city is a framework, predominantly composed of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), to develop, deploy and promote sustainable development practices to address growing urbanization challenges. A big part of this framework is essentially an intelligent network of connected objects and machines that transmit data using wireless technology and the cloud. Cloud-based IoT applications receive, analyze and manage data in real time to help communities, enterprises and citizens make better decisions in the moment that improve quality of life.

Oftentimes, a mobile app is provided to give immediate access to data, communication channels, and more so that people can do everything from avoiding traffic jams, to finding a parking spot, and reporting a pothole or an overflowing dumpster.

Citizens engage with smart city ecosystems in a variety of ways using smartphones and mobile devices, as well as connected cars and homes. Pairing devices and data with a city’s physical infrastructure and services can cut costs and improve sustainability. Communities can improve energy distribution, streamline trash collection, decrease traffic congestion and even improve air quality with help from the IoT.

The next generation of intelligent lighting platforms includes integrating solar power and connecting to a cloud-based central control system that connects to others assets in the ecosystem. High-power embedded LEDs alert commuters about traffic issues, provide severe weather warnings and provide heads up when environmental like fires arise. Streetlights can also detect free parking spaces and EV charging docks and alert drivers where to find an open spot via a mobile app. Charging might even be able from the lamppost itself in some locations.