AT&T is announcing this week how it will work with cities to turn everyday objects like traffic lights and parking spots into tools to manage congestion and conserve energy. Re/Code — a tech news, reviews and analysis website from Vox Media — says the "smart cities" sector, which includes everything from revamping the energy grid to digitizing government processes, is estimated to be a $1.5 trillion market by 2020 and that AT&T is anxious to get become a leader in the field.
"We see this as a massive opportunity," AT&T Mobility CEO Glenn Lurie told the website.
Broadly defined, explains Re/Code, "a smart city uses technology to change how urban environments are designed and managed to reduce expenses and improve efficiency. Telecom companies are working with forward-thinking municipalities to make decisions based on data from sensors added to locations and objects throughout the city. Imagine your car alerting you to the location of an open parking spot based on data broadcast by the spaces themselves or not having to wait at red lights because the road knows you are the only car there."
UPDATE: AT&T has
announced that its first three U.S. partner cities will be Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas. Maybe next time for Cincinnati?
Read the full Re/Code post
here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.