Tech & Data

  • Nischal Newar, Shima Mohebbi and Pavithra Sripathanallur Murali made up the three-person team, spearheading the project.
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    Permission granted by George Mason University
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    How Arlington County used AI to improve emergency preparedness

    The Virginia county’s Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management worked with George Mason University researchers to develop AI-enhanced video games for skills-building.

    By Lindsey Wilkinson • Feb. 5, 2025
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    OlegAlbinsky via Getty Images
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    The Smart Cities Outlook for 2025: Change is coming

    From new federal policies to growing technologies like AI and robotaxis, cities will encounter many changes while they continue to tackle housing, homelessness, climate and equity issues.

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025
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    NanoStockk/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Smart Cities Technology and Data

    Cities are increasingly looking to technology and data to address real-world issues from traffic safety to law enforcement.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Tesla, Waymo will add more robotaxis to city streets

    A more favorable federal regulatory and legislative environment may help propel the growth of driverless ride-hailing vehicles in the United States.

    By • Jan. 30, 2025
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    Adobe Stock/TDB

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    Sponsored by OpenGov

    Less grind, better results: AI makes government work better

    Stanford’s Hoover Institution surveyed over 1,000 government employees and uncovered some eye-opening trends. Discover the surprising truth about AI in local government.

    Jan. 27, 2025
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    Permission granted by Smart Futures Lab
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    Sponsored by Smart Futures Lab

    Free incubator and accelerator empowers smart city growth

    Smart Futures Lab empowers tech startups: $4.5M raised, 6 patents, 22 jobs—join the next cohort today!

    Jan. 13, 2025
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    JasonDoiy via Getty Images
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    6 smart cities trends to watch in 2025

    Transportation systems, housing policy and decarbonization approaches will evolve this year as the Trump administration assumes power and technology continues to advance.

    By , • Jan. 9, 2025
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    tunart via Getty Images
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    9 predictions about what 2025 may hold for US cities

    “Playground” cities will thrive, innovative housing programs will proliferate and technology will transform transit and municipal services, these sources say.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 2, 2025
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Archer Aviation completes Georgia air taxi factory

    Production is set to begin in the new year at a small scale, but by 2030, the company plans to manufacture 650 air taxis each year. 

    By • Dec. 19, 2024
  • A fleet of Cruise ride-hailing vehicles parked in a row outdoors on a sunny day with buildings and greenery in the background.
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    Courtesy of Cruise LLC
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    GM shuts troubled Cruise robotaxi unit

    General Motors will halt further development of robotaxis, with its CEO citing high capital costs and billions invested in a non-core business.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
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    Permission granted by City of Concord
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    Sponsored by Routeware

    How technology empowered Concord, NC, to take its waste and recycling operations in house

    Learn how Concord, NC, implemented new technology and saved $320k annually from fleet optimization and reducing go backs.

    Dec. 9, 2024
  • A white vehicles with rooftop and other external sensors, lettered Waymo, drives along a street.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Waymo to begin robotaxi service in Miami next year

    The company also plans to add autonomous ride-hailing operations in Atlanta and Austin, Texas, building upon current services in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024
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    Edward Chaidez via Getty Images
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    Atlanta creates AI commission to explore tech’s potential in city government

    The 13-member commission will begin meeting in early 2025 and produce a final report by February 2026. 

    By • Dec. 4, 2024
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    Ysabelle Kempe/Smart Cities Dive
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    AI could help cities tackle climate change, but only if it solves ‘real problems’: NYC climate chief

    “We don’t need AI or big data to tell us with much greater detail how screwed we are as a city or as a planet,” Rohit Aggarwala said at Cornell Tech’s Urban Tech Summit last week.

    By • Nov. 26, 2024
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Uber, Lyft plan robotaxi fleet expansions

    With Tesla planning to produce robotaxis and compete with existing ride-hail companies as soon as 2025, Uber and Lyft are adding partnerships to enter new cities with driverless vehicles.

    By • Nov. 21, 2024
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    Permission granted by Oracle
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    Sponsored by Oracle

    Technologies transforming public safety

    Learn how modern public safety technology solutions are helping police and law enforcement serve, protect, and engage communities.

    By Shane Ruiz • Nov. 18, 2024
  • A man looks into a large computer screen displaying an artificial intelligence chatbot application.
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    Laurence Dutton via Getty Images
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    Google, NLC issue AI guide for city leaders

    The digital divide that has plagued cities could turn into an “AI divide” as some local governments experiment with the technologies while others lack access, said a Google executive.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    How ‘floating car data’ can help cities tackle traffic

    Smart city technology can save transportation agencies money and inform conversations with the public, says a white paper by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
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    Sundry Photography via Getty Images
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    People are skeptical of robotaxis — until they use one: JD Power

    Fear about autonomous driving technology tends to subside after a person experiences it for themselves, an October J.D. Power study found.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Nov. 5, 2024
  • People crowd around a person sitting on the ground drinking water out of a plastic bottle. One person holds an umbrella over the person on the ground.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Heat mapping program opens 2025 applications, offering financial and technical support

    Applications for the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring program are due in January, but communities that express interest by Nov. 15 can get paired up with a mentor community.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • Two people in firefighting suits carry a hose outside. Fire and smoke is billowing in front of them.
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    mountainberryphoto via Getty Images
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    New York unveils daily wildfire risk map

    As dry weather fuels brush fires in the state, officials and researchers launched a data tool they say will get critical information to the public and firefighters more quickly.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Two people prepare to enter a Waymo ride-haling vehicle in San Francisco.
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    Courtesy of Waymo
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    Robotaxi company Waymo raises $5.6B to expand operations

    The company plans to use the money to bring its “Waymo One” commercial ride-hailing service to more U.S. cities.

    By Eric Walz • Oct. 29, 2024
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    simonkr via Getty Images
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    Philadelphia bans rent-setting software, joining San Francisco

    The software lets residential landlords indirectly coordinate, raising rents, lowering occupancy rates and increasing evictions, lawmakers say. San Francisco’s ban is in effect, while Philadelphia’s awaits the mayor’s signature.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Updated Oct. 30, 2024
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Serve Robotics debuts faster, larger delivery robots to be deployed in 2 cities

    The sidewalk robots, which are outfitted with new safety measures, will hit the streets in coming months as part of Serve's deal with Uber Eats.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 16, 2024
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    Vyacheslav Dumchev/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Eviction data is lacking. Here’s how local governments can help.

    Local leaders need to understand the magnitude of the housing crisis in their area to act on it, a Princeton Eviction Lab representative says.

    By Camila Vallejo • Oct. 14, 2024
  • Side view of a two-door car parked at night with people sitting at tables on the sidewalk.
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    Courtesy of Tesla Motors
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    Tesla promises driverless robotaxi by 2027

    CEO Elon Musk also announced that fully autonomous versions of Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y vehicles would begin driverless tests in California and Texas next year.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024