I’ve worked a lot with research organisations and there is a trick they use to look clever. When a report is looking a bit weak, you insert some sourced graphs to make it look more intelligent. How many needless graphs and charts have you seen in media? Graphs are
Sensor devices are not only proliferating in numbers but getting smarter at the data they suck in. A device the size of a big thumb-nail can now track things such as eye movement, sound, biometrics, temperature, mobile signature and light. Projects are already underway to roll out such devices in
smart cities
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) plans to offer a short continuing education course titled “Beyond Smart Cities” this June. The course, according to MIT, will focus on “understanding the complexities of cities through the use of Big Data Urban Analytics and the design of New Urban Systems for high-density
internet of things
A company called Prodea Systems has released what it calls a “one-of-a-kind” platform for the connected home. Prodea says its Residential Operating System (ROS) delivers numerous services on a single managed platform: entertainment, education, health and wellness, a private cloud, home security, automation, energy management and enhanced communication. The offering
e-discovery
Xerox is aiming to expand its e-discovery capabilities with its recent acquisition of Smart Data Consulting. Smart Data provides a software platform for corporate legal departments and law firms. The software is designed to reduce costs and save time by managing e-discovery tasks and analytics more quickly and efficiently. Those
urban design
The quest for smart urban design is rapidly gaining momentum in the Middle East, according to one designer who spoke at this past week’s Arab Future Cities Summit. “We’re now seeing a strong appetite for world class urban development in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and it is
smart buildings
The market for smart-building technologies is expected to triple between now and 2018, according to a new report from IDC Energy Insights. The “Global Smart Buildings Forecast 2013-2018” predicts that spending in the sector will grow from $7.3 billion in 2014 to $21.9 billion in 2018. The predicted
air pollution
London taxi drivers are joining a campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of city air pollution. The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) is backing the campaign, led by Clean Air in London. “Our members spend long periods of every day exposed to some of the most polluted air
smart cities
The IEEE professional organization aims to make its “brain trust” of technology experts available to city leaders who want to develop smarter, more sustainable communities. The IEEE’s Smart Cities Initiative aims to work with 10 cities in both developed and developing countries between now and 2016. “Designing successful and
entrepreneurship
Promising new British entrepreneurs will have a chance to hone their business skills through a new volunteer program that links them with startups and companies in developing markets like Bangladesh, Nigeria and Tanzania. The ICS Entrepreneur program expects to see 400 young people participate over the next 18 months. In
internet of things
Some of the world’s biggest technology companies have come together to “break down the barriers” standing in the way of the internet of things. The founding members of the new Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) include AT&T, Cisco, GE, IBM and Intel. The open membership organization will focus
A new lab in London is aimed at helping university and industry researchers work together to develop “the next generation of smart-city infrastructure.” The London Node, based at Imperial College London’s Imperial West campus, will “support innovation throughout Europe for economic growth and to improve quality of life,” said