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New ITU case study shines spotlight on ‘smart city’ journey

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The City of Pully, Switzerland, reports experience with ‘Key Performance Indicators for Smart Sustainable Cities’

A new ITU case study offers an evaluation of the Key Performance Indicators for Smart Sustainable Cities developed by the United for Smart Sustainable Cities Initiative (U4SSC), an initiative supported 16 United Nations bodies.

U4SSC develops practical tools to support cities’ application of digital technologies to become smarter and more sustainable, with the aim of achieving SDG 11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

Pully, a Swiss municipality home to some 18,000 residents, has reported its experience applying the U4SSC Key Performance Indicators to help meet the objectives of its “smart city” strategy. [Read more…] about New ITU case study shines spotlight on ‘smart city’ journey

First patients treated in robotic arrhythmia treatment at Kansas hospital

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Stereotaxis, a developer of robotic technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, says HCA Midwest Health – the largest healthcare system in the Kansas City region – has launched a new robotic arrhythmia care program based at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Installation of the Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System was recently completed, and the first patients have been successfully treated using the technology at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Stereotaxis’ partnership with HCA Midwest Health brings new, leading-edge treatment options for patients who have a cardiac arrhythmia. [Read more…] about First patients treated in robotic arrhythmia treatment at Kansas hospital

Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

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Bosch and Mercedes-Benz’s joint project to develop urban automated driving has now entered a new stage.

Their pilot project for an app-based ride-hailing service using automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles has now been launched in the Silicon Valley city of San José.

Monitored by a safety driver, the self-driving cars shuttle between West San José and downtown, along the San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard thoroughfares. [Read more…] about Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

BP invests €10 million in mobility-as-a-service startup

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BP Ventures is investing €10 million in MaaS Global, a provider of digital mobility software designed to make transport easier and smarter.

The company’s innovative Whim app allows customers to access and connect on a single platform all available transport options in a city – from taxis, buses, bikes and rental cars, to ride-hailing services, shared e-scooters and e-bikes.

The investment in the Finland-based start-up supports BP’s strategy of developing and providing mobility and transportation options in an increasingly smarter, digital world. [Read more…] about BP invests €10 million in mobility-as-a-service startup

City of Rotterdam and Lightwell launch multifunctional smart city units

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Smart city technologies are many and varied, and are generally initiated by the local authorities, whose main responsibilities tend to be street lighting, waste disposal, and traffic management, as well some crime.

In this example, the Netherlands city of City of Rotterdam has partnered with Lightwell, a supplier of street lighting equipment, to launch what they describe as “multifunctional smart city units”.

The two partners say the new units are “ready for smart city applications of the future”. [Read more…] about City of Rotterdam and Lightwell launch multifunctional smart city units

Alstom wins €350 million contract to supply driverless trains and digital signalling system

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Alstom is to supply driverless trains and digital signalling system for Sydney Metro extension to City and Southwest.

The Northwest Rapid Transit Consortium (NRT) reached the contractual close for the extension to the existing NRT Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract on Sydney Metro.

The contract, which was awarded in 2014, has been extended to deliver a seamless customer experience on the new metro, with NRT to operate and maintain the full metro line from Rouse Hill to Bankstown – in total 66 kilometres of rail and 31 metro stations by 2024. [Read more…] about Alstom wins €350 million contract to supply driverless trains and digital signalling system

Yandex testing delivery robot

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Yandex, the largest online search engine company in Russia, has started testing a delivery robot. (See video below.)

The company has been following in the footsteps of similarly large search engine companies around the world – such as Google in the US, and Baidu in China – by investing in research and development of autonomous vehicles.

Earlier this year, Yandex signed a partnership agreement with Hyundai Mobis on self-driving cars which aims to build a self-driving platform that can be used by any car manufacturer or taxi fleet. [Read more…] about Yandex testing delivery robot

Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses

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Alstom has launched the latest innovation in its range of ground-based recharging systems – SRS dedicated to electric buses.

The premiere, as part of the “Paloma” pilot project currently under way in the southern Spanish city of Malaga, sees a prototype of SRS for e-buses operating at a bus stop in front of the University of Malaga’s School of Industrial Engineering.

It is equipped with a 200 kW charger and is associated with a 12-metre Linkker e-bus which is running on Bus Line 1, operated by EMT, the local transport operator. [Read more…] about Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses

Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

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Groupe PSA is testing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology for the first time in the Spanish city of Vigo.

The company has been partnering with the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia on the testing, and the results are intended to help the development of automated vehicle functions.

The aim is to see how well vehicles can communicate with the surrounding infrastructure in a complex urban environment. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

Peachtree Corners opens ‘America’s first’ 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground

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The City of Peachtree Corners, in the state of Georgia, has opened what is claimed to be “America’s first 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground”.

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, powered exclusively by True Mobile 5G from Sprint, enables companies to prove out emerging technologies in a living environment with smart city infrastructure, next-generation connectivity and real-world conditions.

Sprint says the “groundbreaking” Curiosity IoT dedicated network and advanced operating system is poised to enable a new world of applications. [Read more…] about Peachtree Corners opens ‘America’s first’ 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground