Innovations From Smart City Solution Companies – Transforming Urban Life

From smartphones to smart home devices, wearables, smart fabrics, and everything in between, technology is rapidly changing the way we live, especially in urban areas.

Several smart city solution companies are championing the course of moving the world from manual or conventional to digital solutions based on emerging technologies, like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data technology.

Here are 5 forward-thinking companies from different parts of the world and their groundbreaking innovations geared toward making urban life a bit easier.

1. Danfoss Climate Solutions – Energy-Efficient Smart Supermarket

Futuristic cities looking to build climate-friendly stores can borrow a leaf from Nordborg’s Smart Supermarket, one of our planet’s most energy-efficient supermarkets built by Danfoss Climate Solutions.

While the technology powering the supermarket is nothing new, Danfoss took the concept of green, sustainable energy to a whole new level. The supermarket has solar roof panels and charging stations for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Additionally, the smart store features cutting-edge heating and refrigeration technology, which runs on a neutral refrigerant to minimize climate impact. Interestingly, the heat generated from the freezers is captured and recycled to provide heating in the store instead of letting it go to waste. Excess heat is transferred to the district energy utility to provide heating for the local community.

The state-of-the-art supermarket also doubles as an Application Development Center, where new technologies are developed in collaboration with other partners.

2. Sadeem – Wireless Sensing Systems

Sadeem is one of the leading smart city solution companies in Saudi Arabia, as far as flood detection and traffic flow are concerned. The company leverages the latest technologies to develop sophisticated sensors and visualization solutions for wireless sensing and monitoring.

Considering the systems will have to operate in less-than-ideal conditions, the company developed the smart sensors to be highly reliable, durable, and rugged. This way, they can monitor water levels more accurately and keep tabs on vehicular traffic.

Some flood management apps and visualization systems developed by Sadeem include:

• Danger zones: The app can forecast danger zones as well as provide information in real-time about areas in the city that pedestrians and vehicles should avoid.
• Traffic management maps: The system offers a practical solution for traffic management in flood zones, particularly for safe evacuation.
• Traffic routing apps: This is a reliable app that provides essential information for emergency vehicles during floods.

3. Romball – Remote Monitoring of Homes and Premises

Smart city residents shouldn’t spend money investing in home security devices that trigger false alarms, thanks to Romball.  

Founded in 2015, Romball is a Dallas-based smart city solution and technology company known for developing the world’s first AI-based drive-able security camera ball. The smart device is a robotic ball that monitors and transmits what’s happening in a home or building through a Wi-Fi connected HD camera. It can detect motion, sound, and light with incredible accuracy.

The device is equipped with various sensors to keep tabs on humidity, gas, and temperature in the home. This way, people living in smart cities will have peace of mind when they are not at home. Using the camera, users can check on loved ones, pets, and valuables to ensure the home is safe.

During emergencies, first responders can receive live updates about the conditions in the affected building using the robot’s environmental monitoring sensors.

4. The MV Group, Denmark – Smart Grid Platform

Comprising nine primary members, the MV Group is a consortium of water, heat, and electric utility companies in Denmark. The combined investment in a multi-utility system means that consumers can see all household water and energy consumption on one platform, regardless of the company providing the service.

The group leverages big data technology and advanced analytics to access real-time data, optimize operations for millions of customers, and maintain infrastructure from one smart grid platform. Although the initial motivation behind creating a combined consumption data reading and handling platform was to increase revenue, the shared smart multi-utility solution offers far-reaching benefits for all stakeholders, including consumers.

With the smart grid platform, meter readings are done remotely and automatically. The system also detects and limits leaks more efficiently while reducing the overall costs of monitoring and operating meters.

Large amounts of data generated by the system give utilities better insights into users’ consumption behavior and an overview of the network’s performance. This way, companies can monitor, detect, and correct problems, as well as optimize supply.

Smaller utility companies have since joined the MV Group, allowing for increased exchange in experience for better competence.

5. Havr – Smart Access Control System

Havr is reinventing access control systems with smart technology, allowing residents and businesses in smart cities to turn their smartphones into their keys. BrightLock is the company’s flagship product and is accessible to all consumers because it is user-friendly.

This is one of the smart city solution companies that takes what’s already in the market and changes it into a more flexible and sustainable alternative. In other words, although access control systems abound, Havr is focused on providing a user-friendly experience while enhancing everyday security.

The smart access control system features four different in-built connectivity modes so that users are not locked out of their homes or premises because there is no GSM or Wi-Fi. Like a truly user-friendly and sustainable system, BrightLock does not require drilling or wiring. Just about anyone can get the security system up and running in a few short minutes.

Havr designed its smart access control system to be interoperable with other applications and security systems, including CCTVs.

To learn more about new innovations geared toward keeping cities clean with newer technologies, here’s a quick informational article.

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