Tech & Data: Page 2

Deep Dive

Police tech can foster (or foil) public trust

While some police departments work to squash skepticism around tools like facial recognition, others are adopting new tech to gauge public sentiment.

By Amanda Loudin • March 03, 2020

NYC launches mental health, tenant rights challenges

The NYCx Co-Labs challenges are designed to improve the accessibility of mental health services and information regarding housing rights in two predominately Latinx neighborhoods. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 03, 2020

Uber, privacy groups form coalition to fight city data collection

The coalition wants to raise awareness of "dangerous" Mobility Data Specifications. LADOT has brushed it off as a "disinformation campaign ... with no accountability."

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 28, 2020

RapidSOS enhances ability to pinpoint wireless 911 calls

The company's new tool will give public safety agencies more precise location data to track calls from mobile phones, connected vehicles, buildings and even medical devices. 

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 27, 2020

NHTSA suspends EasyMile autonomous shuttles in 10 cities

The administration paused the service after a Smart Columbus pilot vehicle braked for an unknown reason, causing a woman to fall from her seat. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 27, 2020

IBM expands 2020 Call for Code challenge to include COVID-19 solutions

"In a very short time, COVID-19 has revealed the limits of the systems we take for granted," IBM said in a statement.

By Cailin Crowe • UPDATED: March 20, 2020 at 12:15 p.m.

Opinion

Are smart cities actually safer?

No longer can municipalities operate in silos if they want to achieve safer communities. Now, they must integrate people, places and processes to prepare and respond thoroughly.

By Ralph Diment • Feb. 25, 2020

Dallas creates task force to study Airbnb regulations

The group will evaluate how the city regulates short-term rentals in an effort to mitigate impacts on "neighborhood quality of life."

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 25, 2020

Buffalo, NY mayor pledges to become 'nation's leading intelligent smart city'

The mid-sized city will tap public-private partnerships and bolster initiatives like smart sewers, an open data portal and connected street lights.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 24, 2020

Seattle unveils Zillow-powered affordable housing search tool

The online tool allows local nonprofit Housing Connector to upload affordable housing inventory and streamline the search process for tenants who need affordable housing.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 21, 2020

Deep Dive

Outpacing an outbreak: How tech helps cities handle public health threats

AI, analytics and drones are among the technologies used to respond to health crises like coronavirus, though regulatory and privacy concerns have posed obstacles for cities.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 20, 2020

City Tech launches solution to clear up curbside chaos

Curb space competition can be fierce. A new solution intends to help cities understand curb demands to make informed choices about pricing and space prioritization. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 20, 2020

Opinion

In the case of Uber vs. LA, here's why you should bet on LA

Traditionally, Uber has had the tools to win a fight like the one it's facing over its Jump scooters and bikes in Los Angeles. But things have changed.

By Bradley Tusk • UPDATED: Feb. 19, 2020 at 1:21 p.m.

Q&A

What happens when an auto giant buys a scooter startup?

Spin Co-Founder Euwyn Poon details the advantages and challenges of working under Ford Smart Mobility, including its impact on growth and labor management.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 18, 2020

Uber's new phone-booking feature lets riders ditch the app

The feature, 1-833-USE-UBER, is designed to eliminate the technological barriers that may keep some older riders from using the service.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 14, 2020

IDC: Global smart city spending to total $124B

The spending would represent an 18.9% increase compared to 2019, with many opportunities for growth in small and mid-size cities.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 14, 2020

Inaccurate maps cost logistics companies $6B: survey

Even small problems can result in major losses for logistics companies, especially as e-commerce puts more delivery trucks on city streets.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 11, 2020

Judge approves $26B Sprint, T-Mobile merger

A judge rejected a major lawsuit to block the deal, clearing the final legal hurdle for a proposal that could accelerate nationwide 5G deployment.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 11, 2020

Austin, TX traffic fatalities nearly triple in January

The city's already-high rate of traffic deaths point to many of the same Vision Zero challenges that cities are grappling with as they start the new year. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 11, 2020

Uber Transit adds feature to ease train commutes

"Make My Train" is the latest in a series of Uber offerings that connects users with public transit, situating the app as a one-stop-shop for mobility needs. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 10, 2020

Smart Columbus introduces self-driving shuttles to opportunity zone

Two electric shuttles will operate for free in the city's Linden neighborhood through what's said to be the country's first self-driving shuttle service in a residential area. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 07, 2020

It took 2 years for federal agencies to meet a 45-day cybersecurity directive

The Government Accountability Office said in a report that the Department of Homeland Security "lacks a risk-based approach" to ensuring agencies are mitigating cybersecurity risks.

By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Feb. 06, 2020

Philly surveys public, city staff on open data portal use

The Office of Innovation & Technology issued a survey to learn if more data should be released, how it should be presented and if there are barriers to access. 

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 04, 2020

Tech leaders issue calls for AI oversight. Where should government begin?

Habitually late to catch up with technology, tech leaders are calling on legislators to work in haste. But general AI regulation might prove to be a difficult task.

By Roberto Torres • Feb. 04, 2020

Regional consortium to reverse-engineer tech adoption in Phoenix area

The Greater Phoenix Connective, which claims to be the country's largest smart region, will bring together university, public, private and community members to adopt tech solutions at scale. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 03, 2020