Tech & Data
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Courtesy of FedEx
FedEx, Nuro sign multi-year deal to test autonomous last-mile delivery
Testing began in Houston and may expand to additional cities over time, according to a spokesperson for robotics company Nuro.
By Edwin Lopez • June 17, 2021 -
Permission granted by Smart Columbus
At challenge's conclusion, Smart Columbus to continue its work
With the four-year federal grant funding period at an end, the Ohio organization said it will stay focused on how technology can address societal issues and maintain many of its initiatives.
By Chris Teale • June 15, 2021 -
Trendline
The Smart Cities Dive Outlook on 2021
As government leaders continue to reflect on the challenges of 2020, the team at Smart Cities Dive has outlined key trends and technologies likely to take hold in the year ahead.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Houston to Fort Worth route poised for autonomous truck pilot
J.B. Hunt and Waymo plan to test autonomous Class 8 trucks hauling freight between the Texas cities along Interstate 45, as many driverless operations focus on middle mile routes.
By S.L. Fuller • June 14, 2021 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
NYC bill would have single agency lead smart city tech implementation
The legislation would bring together oversight of a variety of "smart" tech, including streetlights, trash and recycling receptacles, and water, power and gas meters.
By Chris Teale • June 09, 2021 -
Steffi Loos via Getty Images
Seattle-area county say it's first US county to pass facial recognition ban
Tech hub King County, Washington, has joined a growing number of jurisdictions in restricting government use of the software, as additional city, state and federal policies move through legislatures.
By Maria Rachal • June 07, 2021 -
Courtesy of Qualcomm
Atlanta suburb deploys new tech to tame traffic
Peachtree Corners, Georgia, will use cellular vehicle-to-everything technology to help improve safety and alleviate "one of the biggest headaches" residents face every day.
By Chris Teale • June 02, 2021 -
Courtesy of Airbnb
Predicting travel rebound, Airbnb rolls out major feature upgrades
The company is implementing a swath of changes, including to its City Portal, as CEO Brian Chesky said he anticipates the "biggest travel rebound in a century."
By Chris Teale • May 25, 2021 -
Alexander Koerner via Getty Images
Increased road deaths prompt calls for improved vehicle tech
While some in Congress continue to talk up the promise of autonomous vehicles, others said existing technologies can help bring fatalities down now — and they warned of AVs' risks to safety and jobs.
By Chris Teale • May 19, 2021 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Detroit partners with Google to build affordable housing search tool
The effort aims to streamline the affordable housing search and application process and is a trend that would greatly benefit cities and residents with the lowest amount of tech, a Google team lead said.
By Katie Pyzyk • May 19, 2021 -
Courtesy of Foster Farms
City-led communications can help combat vaccine hesitancy, researchers find
Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka said it will take an "all hands on deck" approach to overcome vaccine hesitancy, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell highlighted the role popular sports teams can play.
By Chris Teale • May 18, 2021 -
Taylor McKnight/Smart Cities Dive
3x more US residents lack broadband access than FCC estimates: report
Around 42 million people could not access high-speed internet in 2020, according to BroadbandNow, far above the 14.5 million estimated earlier this year by the Federal Communications Commission.
By Chris Teale • May 14, 2021 -
Permission granted by Greater Topeka Partnership
Airbnb teams up with relocation programs to lure remote workers
Partnering with remote worker relocation programs from Arkansas to Michigan, the "Try Before You Buy" program is helping some cities attract talent throughout the country with discounted stays.
By Cailin Crowe • May 14, 2021 -
Permission granted by Bird
Bird announces plans to go public, tees up expansion beyond scooters
The micromobility company will list by year's end through a merger with Switchback II, a special purpose acquisition company. It follows Skip buyer Helbiz in taking the SPAC route.
By Chris Teale • May 13, 2021 -
Courtesy of Revel
Revel plans all-electric NYC ride-hail service, regulators say it's unlicensed
The company aims to launch a fleet of 50 Teslas, but the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission says the effort skirts rules intended to prevent market saturation.
By Chris Teale • May 04, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Smart Cities Dive
Deep DiveAutomakers and universities team up to fix AV industry's talent gap
Schools are evolving their courses to keep pace with autonomous vehicle technology changes and build the industry's pipeline of workers.
By Chris Teale • May 03, 2021 -
Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
NLC calls for engagement, proper training for facial recognition tech
The report urges cities to limit the scope of the technology and have rigorous data standards to protect privacy, but opponents say that's not enough.
By Chris Teale • April 29, 2021 -
Courtesy of Motional
Toyota to buy Lyft's AV division for $550M
The acquisition of the ride-hailing company's Level 5 arm marks the first major deal for Toyota's new Woven Planet initiative, giving the company what it called a "dream team" for AV development.
By Chris Teale • April 28, 2021 -
Courtesy of Verizon
Verizon-backed accelerator taps emerging tech to support climate justice
A new initiative aims to use 5G, big data and AI to help vulnerable communities build resiliency against the worst impacts of climate change.
By Chris Teale • April 26, 2021 -
Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston
Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'
One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.
By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of UPS
Photos: How UPS eVTOLs could shake up logistics
A small, electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically at distribution and sortation centers could speed deliveries.
By S.L. Fuller • April 16, 2021 -
Screenshot via Smart Cities Connect
Virginia launches statewide IoT cybersecurity contest
As some state and local governments look to actively bolster their IoT networks, Gov. Ralph Northam announced the competition to leverage in-state students and faculty at the Smart Cities Connect virtual conference Tuesday.
By Chris Teale • April 14, 2021 -
Taylor McKnight/Smart Cities Dive
Singapore tops global smart city rankings again, NYC leads US
Meanwhile, Columbus, OH reached No. 11 in the Eden Strategy Institute's latest standings due to coordinated efforts with Smart Columbus.
By Chris Teale • April 01, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Smart Cities Dive
Deep DiveSatellite internet: digital divide solution or 'science experiment'?
SpaceX and Amazon have said the technology can help rural America get online, but opponents say it's unproven and not worthy of federal investment.
By Chris Teale • March 30, 2021 -
Daimler
Auto leaders urge adoption of 'common language' for AV safety
The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium — which counts Ford, Daimler and Lyft among its members — outlined performance metrics for developers to inspire public confidence in self-driving cars.
By Chris Teale • March 29, 2021 -
The smart city tech most at risk for cyberattacks: report
University of California at Berkeley researchers said certain traffic lights and emergency alert systems are among the most vulnerable.
By Chris Teale • March 26, 2021
