Smart city technologies have proven to be a game-changer for developing cities!
What are smart city technologies currently at play?
Thanks to numerous Smart City Technologies and Solutions, many cities have been transformed innovatively. Technology-driven cities work in conjunction with various digital prospects – smart city lighting systems, IoT devices, traffic and transportation, mobile mapping services, and more.
However, with so many technological options, which are considered to be ideal for developing a smart city?
That’s what this article is all about! Here, I would like to draw your attention to some of the smart city solutions – for a futuristic world!
Let’s get started…
What is a Smart City?
A smart city is a technologically modern urban area that uses different types of electronic (automation) concepts, digital devices, sensors, and voice activation methods to collect real-time data. According to the European Commission,
A smart city is a place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and business.
Note: Smart City IoT active connections in European Union 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 in millions.
Urbanization has played a vital role in transforming cities towards innovation. With constant evolution – many cities are successful in converting their archaic way of operation to a smarter one!
So, let’s move further and get in-depth know-how on the current technology trends essential for smart development.
5 Best Technologies For Creating Smart Cities
In a smart city, technology varies from different regions, areas of operations, and administration. Hence, it is very important to use technology according to the needs and necessities of the city. This is what we are going to discuss further in this article.
1) Internet of Things in Infrastructure
What is IoT? Oracle (one of the world’s largest software companies) defines IoT as:
the network of physical objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet.
We can see this in many facets of our lives, both personal and professional. In infrastructure this means introducing multiple intelligent solutions such as sensors installed in buildings that can monitor the health or condition of infrastructure, elevators in residential or commercial spaces, and more. The introduction of IoT devices to modern cities has proven to be efficient.
How?
It provides real-time data and repair and maintenance alerts. With the help of these features, it became easy to predict and prevent long downtime effectively.
However, as we are talking about the internet of things – waste management is a great technique for a smart city. Every city has certain necessary rituals and one of them is waste management. If the waste is managed precisely, numerous things can be solved like meeting environmental obligations, better recycling prospects, and more. However, when technology meets necessities, it creates innovation!
A smart city waste management system involves placing sensors in waste containers and continuously monitoring the level of garbage cans filling. It works based on the data from sensors, and then the ideal scheme for the garbage truck route is designed, taking into consideration only the filled garbage cans. This eliminates the need for vehicles to stop at every garbage can, only those that need to be emptied.
2) Digital Twins for Smart Cities
What is a digital twin?
A digital twin is a replica in the digital world of a physical location or thing. Digital twins are 3D digital models that can be swiftly updated to reflect changes with their physical counterparts thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.
In order to create an accurate digital twin of a city, you need to capture accurate and high-resolution street-level image data to properly display the digital twin in its truest form.
Check out more about Digital Twins here.
Mosaic’s range of 360-degree cameras has proven to be efficient in capturing such accurate and high-resolution imagery. The Mosaic X and Mosaic Viking’s ability to collect the necessary data at much faster rates than other solutions and at much better image quality means that users can improve decision-making processes such as reporting road and infrastructure conditions for management and maintenance.
The range of Mosaic’s camera with cutting-edge techniques enabling 3d reconstruction and asset modeling is as below:
Meet the only 360-degree mobile mapping camera featuring a global shutter for photogrammetry ability at highway speeds. This camera is designed for capturing faster and better data the first time. It can be used for driving at the highway or city speeds to collect the data you need for high-resolution 360-degree maps & 3D models. The Mosaic X is a self-contained, single-manned device that requires little to no training. Make better use of your workforce.
It is cost-effective, allowing you to expand your fleet and take on more projects and customers.
WATCH IN HD!!!!!!
Let’s welcome the world’s highest resolution 360-degree camera – Mosaic Viking. It is built to offer the finest capturing experience with 22K resolution – that captures every bit of detail! A single-pass with the Mosaic Viking at high speeds is enough to generate a 22K resolution 3D model. Only the highest-quality camera, with 180MP crystal clear results, can offer the highest-quality images.
3) Geospatial Technologies for Smart Cities
Another one of the more innovative smart city technologies is geospatial technologies refers to an assortment of modern tools which contribute to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies. These include cameras, aerial cameras, satellites and more.
These technologies are used in smart cities to better understand urban settings, to see what space is available and how it might be used better, as well as to predict how current roads and buildings might fare in disasters. These technologies respond to citizens’ requirements by providing solutions in water, transportation, power stations, network supply, and public services.
Benefits of Geospatial tech:
· Improve decision-making by solving difficult tasks.
· Contribute to data transparency for citizen access.
· Improve communication for better crisis management.
· Aid in the management of natural resources.
· Aid in the government’s decision-making.
With new technologies entering the market, mobile mapping has made the gathering of geospatial information at street level a lot easier. With reference to infrastructure maintenance and visual assessment – Mosaic’s mobile mapping services use the highest resolution 360-degree cameras, which are specifically built and designed for street mapping.
And with the Mosaic 51, it has become even simpler. It is an ideal camera designed with ultra-precise GPS for high precision.
360-degree panorama image from the Mosaic 51 – 12K resolution
Mosaic 51 is a durable 12K-resolution 360 camera designed specifically for HD mobile surveying, GIS, railway, and infrastructure inspection. The all-in-one solution can withstand extreme cold, heat, precipitation, snow, and mud. It’s built for the road, regardless of terrain or climate, with a built-in computer.
It’s waterproof, dustproof, and watertight, and the industrial frame, IP64 rating, and changeable lenses, It was built to operate all day without needing to reboot, recharge, or download data.
4) Smart Street Cameras
Smart street cameras have different features that are also useful in developing smart cities.
They have been one of the promising technological innovations for a smart city. Sensor cameras are used in the form of connected street cameras, vehicles’ dash-cams, first responder bodycams, to investigate the root cause of every street problem, for street mapping, and more.
They are not only used for identifying street crimes; however, they are also used for maintenance purposes. By identifying the potholes, cracked roads, and inaccurate street marking, smart cameras can be considered the explorer of street accuracy – a great benefit for turning a city into a smart city.
Benefits of smart street cameras:
With the wish of living in a safer city, it is necessary to welcome newly emerging technologies. Smart street cameras are not only a step toward a smart city; however, it also gives its visitors and residents a secure vibe to work, travel, and live.
· Constant monitoring of movements & activities
Smart street surveillance cameras offer high-definition video footage, allowing security authorities to efficiently and safely monitor the city.
These days, smart street cameras enable transmitting photos over the network in a secure manner to prevent spoofing and unwanted access to sensitive data. Authorities may cover every inch of the city, including footpaths, parks, roadways, and other high-traffic areas, with high-performing devices positioned close together to offer better protection.
· Monitor vehicle surveillance
Vehicle monitoring is also important for a city’s development. Whether it’s a public or private vehicle, they have a tendency to break and exploit certain major restrictions. As a result, it’s critical to keep a close eye on what’s going on inside and outside a car. If something goes wrong, it will be easy to see, and the matter may be handled before it gets out of hand. Smart street technology can be used to recognize the number plates of vehicles that are attempting to breach the signal, overtake vehicles, or steal from other vehicles. This will make it easier for traffic cops to identify and prosecute offenders.
5) Open Data Vault
Last but not least on the list of smart city technologies is Open Data Vault. Governments, businesses, and individuals have traditionally kept their data close to their belts, sharing as little as possible with others. Open data is reshaping the digital city today. The perceived usefulness of sharing information has far overcome privacy concerns and security failures.
However, all players in the complex ecosystem share information and combine it with contextual data assessed in real-time, which is a crucial facilitator of sustainable smart cities.
This is how real-time, well-informed decisions are made. By analyzing real-time contextual information provided among sector-specific information and operational technology (OT) systems, many sectors must collaborate to produce superior, long-term results.
Technology, digitalization, and innovation represent the backbone of smart cities. Indeed, we can’t claim to have covered all of the essential concepts and issues surrounding smart cities and those that will develop in the coming years.
However, if you have something to add – be our guest! We’d love to hear suggestions on how and which other technologies can play an important part in developing a smart city.
Hence, when it comes to using the top-notch smart city technologies for moving towards a more connected, smart city – you can count on Mosaic as the best-in-class for data capture and geospatial imagery!
For more information, visit our website or contact us.
