Postmates' robotics division splits off, becomes Serve Robotics

Serve Robotics closed its first funding round, with participation by Uber, and will continue operating the autonomous delivery robots in cities as the market is expected to grow to $34 million by 2024. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 4, 2021

Santa Monica, CA aims to create zero-emissions delivery zone playbook

The city and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator's pilot seeks to support local climate goals while solving for curbside woes exacerbated by the pandemic's delivery surge.

By Cailin Crowe • March 3, 2021

Explore the 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

Airbnb reports $3.89B loss, predicts digital nomads will spark recovery

In the company's first post-IPO earnings call, officials said Airbnb is resilient enough to weather COVID-19 and that flexible work arrangements will push more people onto the platform. 

By Chris Teale • March 2, 2021

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against LADOT data sharing requirements

Two Los Angeles scooter riders sued over the city's Mobility Data Specifications, citing privacy and unreasonable search concerns. But the case was dismissed, clearing a path forward for the requirement. 

By Chris Teale • March 1, 2021

Local leaders reckon with ShotSpotter's ambiguous ROI

ShotSpotter CEO Ralph Clark said the company saw 12% YOY revenue growth in 2020, during a recent earnings call. Meanwhile, some experts question the tech's efficacy as cities face strapped budgets and high homicide rates.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 26, 2021

Airbnb joins frenzy of tech firms landing in Atlanta

The company will open a technical hub in the city to serve as a regional base for "hundreds" of employees to support the local workforce.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 22, 2021

Georgia smart city living lab unveils 5G incubator

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners partnered with T-Mobile and Georgia Tech to help developers build test cases for 5G technology like drones and robotics. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 19, 2021

A smart city consultant takes the lead on a county's vaccine rollout

Former Kansas City, MO Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bennett oversees vaccines for Wyandotte County, KS, and is using his 'smart city' experience for an efficient, equitable distribution.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 18, 2021

Minneapolis bans facial recognition to dismay of city police

The Minneapolis City Council passed a surveillance ordinance that police say was "crafted and approved without any consideration" from the department.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 17, 2021

Miami vies for the title of 'Bitcoin City'

Along with proposing the use of cryptocurrency in city governance, Mayor Francis Suarez introduced Venture Miami and appointed the city's first VC-in-residence — all in a matter of days.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 16, 2021

Boring Co. proposal for 4-mile California loop advances

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority voted unanimously to move forward with the proposal from the Elon Musk-owned company.

By Zachary Phillips • Feb. 11, 2021

Ford bets $29B on leading the 'electric vehicle revolution'

CEO Jim Farley said on an earnings call that the automaker has more than doubled its commitment to spend on automation and electrification until 2025.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 9, 2021

Police departments face scrutiny for COVID relief spending

From Honolulu to Grand Rapids, MI, city police departments are under the microscope for potentially controversial purchases with pandemic relief dollars.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 9, 2021

Oakland, CA to reconsider 'totally unproven' ShotSpotter tech

Oakland Privacy Commission Chair Brian Hofer says he recognizes some benefits of ShotSpotter, such as getting police to crime scenes faster — but he isn’t so sure it’s worth the money.

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 9, 2021

City Surveillance Watch: Setting Guardrails

In the final episode of this three-part series, reporter Kate Kaye assesses existing government policy and law for surveillance tech. (Spoiler: there isn’t much.)

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 8, 2021

Episode resources and links

A comprehensive list of reports, studies, articles and policy information referenced in the City Surveillance Watch audio series.

By Smart Cities Dive • Feb. 8, 2021

Privacy concerns still loom over Detroit's Project Green Light

As the green light network expands to over 700 Detroit locations, concerned citizens argue the program is reminiscent of public safety pay-to-play.

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 1, 2021

'Scooter-hailing' is on the horizon at Spin

The company has entered an exclusive partnership with Tortoise to bring three-wheeled teleoperated scooters to cities in North America and Europe.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 27, 2021

City Surveillance Watch: Network Effect

In this second episode of City Surveillance Watch, reporter Kate Kaye takes listeners on a journey to Detroit, Kansas City, New Orleans and beyond for a glimpse at how surveillance tech affects real lives.

By Kate Kaye • Jan. 25, 2021

CES showcases 6 trends to shape smart cities in 2021

From new "as-a-service" offerings to growing e-bike demand, Smart Cities Dive outlined six trends that experts anticipate will influence cities in the year ahead.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Jan. 20, 2021

AV policy should focus on safety and public trust, experts say

During a digital CES 2021 panel, public and private sector autonomous vehicle experts discussed the progress made since AV 4.0 was unveiled at least year's show, and the work that still needs to be done. 

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 15, 2021

Cisco explains its smart city software exit

The company will fold its Kinetic for Cities software platform, but told Smart Cities Dive it remains "deeply committed" to inclusive, sustainable and secure cities.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 15, 2021

City Surveillance Watch

A comprehensive archive of the limited audio series that explores the inherent dichotomy of city technologies that can double as surveillance. 

Jan. 14, 2021

DC, tech firms enact Inauguration Day safety precautions

As Mayor Muriel Bowser prepares area residents for the Jan. 20 event, Airbnb and Lime take action to minimize risky travel.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 14, 2021

UPS, Verizon partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021