Photo: SD-vertical-node-and-pole

How Current by GE is powering intelligent cities

31 August 2018

To build thriving cities, Current, powered by GE is partnering with municipal leaders to turn their ubiquitous lighting footprint into a digital infrastructure enabled by CityIQTM. With future-proofed cities in mind, Current’s unique intelligent node, embedded with many sensors, is extensible through over-the-air upgrades of analytics, connection to neighbouring devices and in its ability to do multi-sensor fusion all over a secure cloud connection. The node’s aesthetics allow seamless integration into a variety of streetscapes and it can sit elegantly on any street light pole. It transforms a city’s lighting infrastructure into an all-knowing data intelligence network.

Current’s intelligent cities APIs sit at the heart of the CityIQ IoT platform and make the vast amount of sensor data actionable through the cloud. These open yet highly secured APIs deliver real-time intelligence to cities, allowing them to enhance their open data policies and launch civic engagement models that connect citizens, the local developer community, entrepreneurs, start-ups, universities and companies with niche expertise globally to transform data into applications that drive new services, optimise operations and improve quality of life. No longer will city leaders have to solve every problem on their own with limited resources; they soon will be able to enlist the greater community to help solve their toughest issues, create new revenue streams, drive economic development and make the city a better place to live, work and play.

Think of the possibilities for cities that leverage Current’s open, interoperable IoT platform to build a digital infrastructure that captures realtime data. With the ever-expanding ecosystem partners and the innovative developer community, thousands of applications can be built to drive desired outcomes for cities, from reducing traffic congestion and gun violence to driving new economic development, increasing pedestrian safety and bolstering job creation.

Several cities have already embraced the future with the help of Current’s CityIQ nodes. Leading the way is the world’s largest smart cities IoT deployment in San Diego, California. Transforming its street lighting into a connected digital infrastructure, San Diego is collecting real-time sensor data from 3,200 CityIQ sensor nodes used to develop applications that benefit the community. From directing drivers to open parking spaces to helping first responders during an emergency, the open data platform offers limitless opportunities to increase safety, optimise municipal systems and create real-time environmental awareness.

Pedestrian safety concerns motivated Portland, Oregon, to join the intelligent city fray. Its Smart City PDX Traffic Safety Sensor Project aims to improve traffic flow and decrease accidents. Collecting data on the actions of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians with CityIQ nodes–all while anonymising the information–will help the city understand what’s working and what needs to be fixed on three of its most dangerous streets. Other cities are looking to transform their lighting footprint: For example, the City of Atlanta partnered with Georgia Power to digitise lighting assets, with an emphasis on unlocking the app economy. Schenectady in New York and Dallas and Farmers Branch in Texas, along with Entergy, are also testing the nodes to see what benefits they can reap.

By joining forces with AT&T and Intel, Current is connecting cities in the United States and Mexico to the Internet of Things. Together, we will unlock a realm of possibilities to improve the way cities operate, communicate and meet the needs of citizens, ultimately creating the digital city of tomorrow, today.

 

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