Smart devices are popping up everywhere, from Smart Phones to Smart Speakers, and even Smart Cars. Almost everyone has them in their homes, but did you know that smart devices are starting a new trend in cities too?
City organizations have started to use these smart devices to enhance daily operations and the lives of their citizens, creating what we now know as Smart Cities. Cities around the globe are implementing internet-connected devices and software to improve the quality of life – making life easier and “smarter” for citizens living in these cities and towns. These “smart cities” are widely considered to be the future of our world – and the number of smart cities is increasingly daily.
What is a smart city? A smart city is an urban area that uses the internet of things (also known as IoT) to collect and provide information to effectively manage city-wide assets and resources. 66% of US cities are investing in smart city technology, and 25% are exploring ways to implement it – a number that continues to grow. The internet of things (IoT), or the billions of internet-connected smart devices that currently make up our everyday lives, is improving the way humans function and making life a little easier. These internet-connected “things” collect data via sensors and can be used to create innovative solutions to problems like traffic, parking, and even waste management.
That is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of its potential. The more technology that is created everyday means more innovative solutions to other aspects of city life – such as lighting and streets. By 2020, there will be 9.7 billion urban appliances connected to the internet, including street lights, parking meters, pollution monitors, traffic lights, and buildings. By 2050, two thirds of the people on the planet will be living in cities.
See the infographic below, created by Verizon Internet, to learn more about the top smart cities today:
Provided by Verizoninternet.com
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