To fully develop the smart city, investment and innovation in new technology is key. Here many startups are supplying the lead and coming up with new and imaginative solutions to create the smart city fabric.
What is a smart city?
The smart city is an urban space that uses digital technology to collect and analyze data, and then to use those data insights to promote performance and wellbeing. Data is also used to increase the ability of the city and its administrators to respond to citywide and global challenges.
Important aspects of the smart city include using data analytics to improve the efficiency and service of energy, water and transport infrastructure — as well as addressing climate change and sustainability. Connected technologies and electric vehicles are a key part of many smart city strategies being explored worldwide.
Cities powered by startups
A new survey comes from INFINITI LAB, which is a smart cities and Internet of Things accelerator run by car brand INFINITI, looks at some interesting new srtartups that are set to help Canada realize the smart city concept.
The most promising startups selected were picked by a panel of experts at INFINITI’s recent Demo Day pitch competition in Toronto. Five of the best are:
Clutch, which offers a solution for potential car owners to test drive electric vehicles by delivering the car to a user’s door. The aim is to provide the convenience and price of a peer-to-peer marketplace along with the traditional services of a physical dealership.
Ordermotive is also in the care area. The platform offers a service whereby customers are matched directly to retailers. This enables consumers to set-up financing options and understand payment terms before they test-drive a vehicle.
SmartTones is a platform allowing businesses to encode, create and execute smart campaigns. The system helps to bring consumers into entertaining advertising experiences, which include gammification. The idea is to encourage consumers to engage with and share the campaign.
Acerta is a company that deploys machine learning in order to provide consumers with real-time malfunction detection and failure prediction. For businesses this is all about reducing waste, increasing throughput, and boosting product quality.
InnerSpace is a service that provides a turnkey indoor mapping and location platform to commercial real estate companies who use it to boost productivity or create new revenue by offering indoor location services to their tenants.
These startups focus on the smart city concept where information and communication technology are fully exploited.
