Tech & Data

  • 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
  • Digital data flow on road with motion blur to create vision of fast speed transfer. Explore the Trendline➔
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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
  • Aerial view of skyscraper buildings in San Francisco financial district during dusk
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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
  • One of Serve Robotics next generation robots
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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
  • An eviction notice posted on the front door of a home.
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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
  • Two autonomous vehicles with Avride and Uber branding
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    Courtesy of Avride
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    Uber inks deal to bring delivery robots, robotaxis to several cities

    To start, Uber Eats will deliver orders with Avride’s sidewalk robots in Austin, Texas, before expanding to two other cities. 

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 8, 2024
  • Crowds of people walking through Union Square Park in Manhattan New York City on a bright sunny day.
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    deberarr via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by RUBICONSmartCity, now part of Routeware

    How AI is helping cities drive improvements in infrastructure and citizen satisfaction

    Equipping vehicles to look for critical infrastructure and quality-of-life issues that can plague communities helps city partners deliver proactive government and equitable public service across all zip codes.

    Oct. 7, 2024
  • People around a table on a brightly lit stage.
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    Permission granted by Dahlia Katz
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    A hit show on Toronto’s failed smart city project returns to the stage

    The award-winning play, “The Master Plan,” dramatizes the city’s fractured relationship with then-Google subsidiary Sidewalk Labs.

    By David Silverberg • Oct. 3, 2024
  • City skyline behind trees and homes.
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    benedek via Getty Images
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    What’s the value of a city’s nature? San Antonio pilots tool to find out.

    Designed by a Stanford University-based group, the tool shows how land use changes could impact carbon sequestration, urban cooling and residents’ access to nature. More cities may eventually get access.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
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    rarrarorro via Getty Images
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    2025’s top smart city conferences

    Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events already announced for next year.

    By , • Oct. 1, 2024
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    FMCSA Provided

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    Sponsored by FMCSA

    FMCSA’s grant award season: Millions allocated to improve highway safety

    Learn about federal grant opportunities and how your organization can apply.

    Sept. 30, 2024
  • A driver seen through the windshield of a car. The driver is adjusting a device on the dashboard that reads "lyft."
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    Kelly Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Lyft tackles rideshare drivers’ EV range anxiety

    Smartcar’s technology will ensure electric vehicle drivers only receive ride requests in their current battery range, Lyft says.

    By Benton Graham • Sept. 25, 2024
  • Illustrated lines between vehicles from an overhead view of an intersection show how vehicles could relay critical information to help reduce crashes.
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    metamorworks via Getty Images
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    Connected vehicle tech could help nationwide e-tolling, officials say

    Public and industry leaders have long noted obstacles in regional wireless transponder networks and a goal to achieve more seamless travel.

    By David Taube • Sept. 25, 2024
  • Construction worker wearing hardhat sits on barrier while a pedestrian walks by on a street.
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    carstenbrandt via Getty Images
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    18 startups tested innovative tech in New York’s transportation systems. Here are the results.

    Better curb management, transit resiliency and transit user experience were among the goals of the Transit Tech Lab experiments.

    By • Sept. 24, 2024
  • An adult holding a rake and a child stand in floodwaters outside a home.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    NOAA, Climate Mayors ink agreement to bring more science, data tools to communities

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will ensure the mayors can access the latest climate information, while Climate Mayors will contribute to NOAA case studies on resilience. 

    By • Sept. 23, 2024
  • A person in a button down shirt and jacket stands in front of a bridge and city skyline.
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    Permission granted by Steve Zylius of University of California, Irvine
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    In a sea of flood-risk data, how can cities know which information to use?

    A Los Angeles County debate spotlights the uncertainty of climate-risk models. Experts weigh in on best practices for local leaders.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
  • View from inside a driverless vehicle approaching a crosswalk with people on bicycles.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Uber and Waymo to bring robotaxis to Atlanta and Austin, Texas

    The announcement is part of Uber's larger effort to partner with autonomous vehicle and technology companies.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A diverse group of people stand around a table where a person in a blue pantsuit signs papers.
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    Courtesy of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
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    New York enacts panic-button law to counter crime in stores

    The bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which requires a host of safety measures to address store-based crime, was opposed by key retail trade groups.

    By Daphne Howland • Sept. 9, 2024
  • A silhouette of a person wearing a hat under a bus stop on the side of the road. Behind the bus stop is a building.
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Google pilots heat resilience tool in 14 US cities

    The artificial intelligence-driven tool predicts how changes in tree canopy and reflective surfaces could reduce land surface temperature across neighborhoods.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
  • A grey vehicle with a Wayve logo added above the left front headlight.
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    Courtesy of Wayve Technologies Ltd.
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    Uber to deploy autonomous vehicles on its platform through Wayve partnership

    The partnership could potentially bring Wayve’s technology to more than 150 million of Uber’s monthly global users.

    By Eric Walz • Sept. 5, 2024
  • An image of a sidewalk robot with pink and orange painting.
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    Courtesy of Coco
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    Uber expands robotic delivery

    Urban robot delivery company Coco started delivering for Uber Eats in Los Angeles this week. It will expand to more cities in coming months.

    By Julie Littman • Aug. 30, 2024
  • A white and orange painted Chevy Bolt EV operated by Cruise parked in front of a cafe in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.
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    Courtesy of Cruise LLC
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    Entire Cruise robotaxi fleet recalled for unexpected braking

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that a software fault contributed to 10 crashes, four of which involved a vulnerable road user and resulted in injury.

    By Eric Walz • Aug. 27, 2024
  • DOJ lawsuit against RealPage
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    DOJ sues software firm RealPage over algorithm that allegedly drives up rents

    The attorneys general of several states joined the suit, which accuses the company of an “unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords.”

    By Leslie Shaver • Aug. 26, 2024
  • People get sprayed by water on a city street lined with cars.
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    Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    With 10 new climate resilience centers, DOE aims to translate research into local action

    Researchers will work on actionable science and tools to help local stakeholders combat extreme heat, flooding, drought and more, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week.

    By • Aug. 19, 2024