Articles tagged with "smart-city"
Lime Ridership Up 61% In Seattle After Adding Real Sit-Down Scooter - CleanTechnica
Seattle’s shared personal mobility program saw a significant boost in ridership after introducing the LimeGlider, a small sit-down electric scooter, last year. Compared to 2024, ridership increased by 61% as of mid-2025. The LimeGlider offers a more stable, visible, and comfortable alternative to traditional standup e-scooters, which tend to be less stable and require greater safety awareness. This addition appears to have resonated well with users, contributing to the program’s overall growth. The scale of Seattle’s mobility program is substantial, with 9.7 million trips taken in 2025 alone, highlighting its impact on reducing emissions by replacing car trips. In August 2025, 1.3 million trips were made using Lime scooters and bikes, and on September 27, there were 60,000 trips in a single day. To address issues of clutter from dockless vehicles, the city added 200 more bike and scooter corrals downtown,
IoTelectric-scootersurban-mobilityshared-transportationenergy-efficiencysmart-citysustainable-transportPhotos: World-first drone with AI sight helps first responders see through fog, rain
Chinese drone manufacturer GDU introduced the UAV-P300 at CES 2026, marketing it as the world’s first AI-powered drone capable of penetrating fog and rain to enhance visibility for first responders and other professional users. The UAV-P300 improves image clarity by up to 50 percent in poor weather conditions and supports operations in smoke, fog, or rain that typically ground drones. It features a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor, advanced starlight night vision, full-color 4K night imaging, and an IRCut switch with near-infrared illumination, enabling effective use from daylight through complete darkness. Its imaging capabilities are complemented by an 11x optical zoom and up to 176x hybrid zoom stabilized by a gimbal, allowing detailed observation from a safe distance. The drone also incorporates an AI-enhanced thermal imaging module for detecting heat sources and movement, aiding search and rescue and infrastructure monitoring. Navigation is supported by LIDAR and AI obstacle recognition for safe flight in dense urban
robotAIdroneautonomous-flightsmart-citythermal-imagingLIDARHumanoid robots to train in China’s first droid-friendly city zone
China is establishing its first robot-friendly urban demonstration zone in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, to advance the integration of humanoid robots into everyday city life. Unveiled at the 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area AI and Robotics Industry Conference, the Guangdong Embodied Intelligence Training Ground “1+1+N” framework aims to create coordinated training grounds for embodied intelligent robots. The framework includes a main provincial training ground, a management center, and the Shenzhen Embodied Intelligence Demonstration Zone, where robots will move from controlled environments to real-world urban settings. Multiple specialized sub-training grounds across cities and sectors will collaborate with local governments and industries to address practical challenges and foster innovation, accelerating the development and deployment of humanoid robots in manufacturing, public services, and other fields. Guangdong Province has become a national leader in robotics and AI, supported by strong manufacturing capabilities and targeted policies promoting innovation. Recent government measures include financial incentives and initiatives to boost core technology breakthroughs and expand application scenarios.
roboticshumanoid-robotsAI-integrationembodied-intelligencerobot-trainingsmart-cityGuangdong-robotics-zoneChina deploys traffic robot to direct vehicles, pedestrians in streets
China has introduced an AI-powered humanoid traffic robot named Hangxing No. 1 in Hangzhou’s Binjiang district to assist with urban traffic management. Standing 1.8 meters tall and equipped with cameras, sensors, and gesture-based signaling modeled on real police officers, the robot directs vehicles and pedestrians at a busy intersection. It can signal stop, proceed, or wait commands, sound a digital whistle, and synchronize with traffic lights. Beyond directing traffic, Hangxing No. 1 monitors compliance in real time, detecting violations such as helmetless riders, motorists crossing stop lines, and jaywalking, issuing polite voice warnings to correct behavior without confrontation. Powered by a swappable battery lasting 6 to 8 hours, the robot autonomously returns to a charging dock after peak traffic periods. It operates under an integrated AI system that continuously analyzes live camera feeds to detect infractions, logging incidents and forwarding them to a police database. A human officer remains nearby during early deployment to intervene if needed.
roboticsAItraffic-roboturban-automationsmart-cityhumanoid-robotbattery-technologyRobot Talk at the Smart City Robotics Competition - Robohub
The article discusses a special episode of the "Robot Talk" podcast, recorded at the Smart City Robotics Competition held in Milton Keynes. Hosted by Claire, the episode features conversations with competitors, exhibitors, and attendees, providing insights into the event and the latest advancements in robotics focused on smart city applications. The competition highlights innovative robotic technologies aimed at improving urban living and infrastructure. Sponsored by euRobotics, an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing European robotics research, development, and innovation, the episode aligns with the broader mission to promote cutting-edge robotics and autonomous systems. "Robot Talk" serves as a weekly platform exploring developments in robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines, with this bonus episode offering a focused look at the intersection of robotics and smart city initiatives.
roboticssmart-cityAIautonomous-machinesrobotics-competitioneuRoboticsinnovationToyota Woven City Officially Launches as a Test Course for the Future of Mobility - CleanTechnica
Toyota Motor Corporation and Woven by Toyota, Inc. have officially launched Woven City, a real-world test course for future mobility located in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Initially unveiled at CES 2020, Woven City is designed as a living laboratory where innovation in mobility and related technologies can be developed and tested. The project centers around two key participant groups: Inventors and Weavers. Inventors include enterprises, startups, entrepreneurs, and research institutions collaborating to create new products and services through a concept called Kakezan, meaning “multiplication,” which emphasizes innovation through the convergence of diverse ideas and capabilities. Among the 20 Inventors is singer-songwriter Naoto Inti Raymi, who contributes a creative dimension by producing the city’s anthem and audio logo. The Weavers are the residents and visitors who live in and experience Woven City firsthand, providing essential feedback to shape ongoing innovations. Since September 2025, Toyota Group employees and their families have begun
robotIoTsmart-citymobilityinnovationToyotaurban-technologyXPENG Praises Hong Kong & Preps For Autonomous Driving Tests - CleanTechnica
XPENG has expressed strong support for Hong Kong’s recent policy measures aimed at accelerating the development and commercial operation of autonomous driving technologies. The company welcomed the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, which emphasizes Hong Kong’s ambition to become a leading international innovation and technology hub by promoting unmanned and large-scale autonomous vehicle deployment. XPENG plans to actively collaborate with the Hong Kong SAR Government, leveraging its expertise in smart electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving to help build a sustainable, safer, and greener urban transportation ecosystem. A notable aspect of XPENG’s strategy is using Hong Kong as a platform to explore overseas markets, particularly right-hand drive regions, positioning the city as a testing and development hub for autonomous driving technology. XPENG’s Chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting Hong Kong’s smart city initiatives and contributing technology and experience to the autonomous driving testing and application process. This move aligns with a broader, incremental approach to expanding self-driving cars and robotaxis,
robotautonomous-vehiclessmart-driving-technologyXPENGself-driving-carssmart-citytransportation-innovationNew York City launches first self-driving vehicle trials, robotaxi firm to test with 8 cars
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, has received its first permit to test self-driving cars in New York City, allowing deployment of up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn through late September, with a possible extension. This marks the city’s inaugural autonomous vehicle testing program, conducted under strict safety regulations requiring a trained driver to remain behind the wheel. New York City Mayor Eric Adams framed the initiative as part of a broader push to integrate innovative transportation technologies while maintaining rigorous safety oversight. Waymo brings extensive experience from over 10 million robotaxi rides across five major U.S. cities and emphasizes collaboration with city authorities for safe technology rollout. The company’s New York trial follows recent permit filings and is part of a nationwide expansion strategy that includes upcoming autonomous vehicle operations in Atlanta, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Efforts to introduce self-driving technology in New York have been underway since 2021, initially focusing on manual driving and data collection. This trial represents a significant step toward
robotautonomous-vehiclesself-driving-carsrobotaxiWaymotransportation-technologysmart-cityWorld’s first robot city to rise beneath Japan’s Mount Fuji in 2025
Toyota is set to launch the world’s first fully connected, self-contained “robot city” called Woven City at the base of Mount Fuji, Japan, in fall 2025. Situated on the 175-acre former Higashi-Fuji plant site in Shizuoka Prefecture, about 140 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, this experimental metropolis will serve as a real-world testbed for future mobility, smart infrastructure, and sustainable living. Initially housing 100 residents—mainly Toyota engineers and their families—the population is expected to grow to 360 in the first phase, with a long-term goal of 2,000 inhabitants. The city’s residents are divided into “Inventors,” who develop new technologies, and “Weavers,” who provide user feedback. Central to the city’s design is Toyota’s autonomous electric vehicle platform, the e-Palette, which will operate alongside an underground logistics network and dedicated surface lanes for pedestrians, slower mobility devices, and autonomous vehicles. Beyond mobility, Woven City emphasizes sustainability and resilience through a hydrogen fuel cell energy grid supplemented by solar panels, water recycling, and advanced waste management. Smart homes equipped with robotics and AI will monitor health, manage energy, and optimize daily life, while the entire urban system is interconnected via sensors and AI to create a living digital operating system. The city functions both as a simulation environment and a functioning habitat, enabling direct testing of smart infrastructure technologies. Although not open to tourists initially, Toyota plans to allow public access starting in 2026. Ultimately, Woven City aims to serve as a scalable model for future urban planning worldwide, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can foster next-generation technologies amid growing climate and security challenges.
robotIoTenergyautonomous-vehiclessmart-cityhydrogen-fuel-cellssustainable-living