Japanese technology and IT colossus NEC Corporation has announced it will build a 'smart city infrastructure' platform aimed at integrating a range of data sources in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. The innovative project is part of the government's initiative to make its capital a 'smart city' by enhancing connectivity, and utilizing data that can improve the services it provides for its citizens.

A Japanese manufacturer has announced that it is currently conducting tests on 'driverless tractors' it has developed in an effort to combat the issue of ageing within the farming population in Japan. Kubota is currently selling the 'driverless tractors' on a trial basis, but has declared its intention to launch the machines for full-scale in 2018 if the trials are deemed a success.

The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has selected TCR, a global leader in ground support equipment (GSE) solutions, to provide an all-electric GSE fleet at the new world-class international gateway for JFK Airport, scheduled to open in 2026.

Los Angeles is famous for its stunning beaches, sunny climate and entertainment industry. However, it has now firmly established itself as the worst city in the world when it comes to urban congestion - as it received the unwanted title of the ‘most gridlocked city' in the world for the sixth year-in-a-row.

Commuters in LA will now have increased flexibility in how they choose to pay for travel, thanks to the new TAPforce smart card system.

Las Vegas, one of the world's most iconic and famous cities has accelerated its efforts to become a 'smart city' by entering into a partnership agreement with US technology firm Cisco Systems. Las Vegas, referred to by some as 'Sin City' - brokered an agreement with the US networking colossus as it looks to achieve its ambition which is to become a 'smart connected city'.

In a press conference held in the Ministry of Telecommunications, Mohamed Choucair, Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications, launched the third edition of the Smartex exhibition specialized in the Knowledge and ICT sector, along with Nabil Itani, Director General of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL); Imad Kreidieh, CEO of Ogero; and Elie Rizk, President of the Lebanese Exhibitions & Conferences Associations (LECA). In the conference was also present Naji Andraos, General director of installation and equipment at the Ministry of Telecommunications; Naji Abboud, Head of Owner Supervisory Board; the Minister’s consultant Nabil Yamout; Camille Moukarzel, President of the Professional Computer Association of Lebanon; and a crowd of heads and members of trade unions and companies involved in the exhibition.

The Mayor of London has once again reiterated his desire to make the UK capital the 'smartest' city in the world by launching a new innovative tech entrepreneur program.

On 7th June 2019, during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sergey Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, and Alexey Kornya, CEO of mobile network operator MTS, signed an agreement on cooperation for the purposes of developing communication services and information-telecommunication technologies in the city of Moscow. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has expressed his desire to see London become the world's leading 'smart city' during his address at London Technology week. The topic of 'smart cities' continues to dominate technology conferences and ICT exhibition - as government entities and city councils on a global basis examine ways in which they can implement technologies to make their cities 'smarter' for the benefit of its citizens and residents.

Cybersecurity defenses are under unprecedented levels of attack. From old malware foes and newer types, such as ransomware, to sophisticated advanced threats and state-sponsored cyberattacks, breaches are, sadly, now an everyday reality.

Melbourne is mapping all its trees, vegetation and shrubs within the city in an effort to better understand where its trees are growing and which areas need more attention.

Mellanox Technologies, Ltd, a leading supplier of high-performance, end-to-end smart interconnect solutions for data center servers and storage systems, has introduced ConnectX-6 Dx and BlueField-2 – next-generation cloud SmartNICs and I/O Processing Unit (IPU) solutions.

Metro Manila, one of the three metropolitan areas in the Philippines, has just completed an AI-powered video surveillance pilot and revealed that it has partnered with Iveda to work on a series of smart city projects.

Smart-City group Metro-Lab Network have announced the creation of an advisory council which is specifically designed at helping member cities implement its innovative technology projects. The new council aims to provide strategic advice to those who are the forefront of the digitization of cities on a global scale.

Microsoft co-founder and one of the world's richest men Bill Gates has entered the smart city space by announcing his role in the development of a sustainable, technologically advanced community in the Arizona desert.

A number of America's leading technology companies are collaborating through the use of automation and robotics in an effort to prevent the spread of the deadly Zika virus which is caused by mosquitoes.

A key executive of US technology behemoth Microsoft has claimed that AI will be the transformational technology that will define our generation and fundamentally reshape how our society will function.

Microsoft has announced that it will open an AI Centre of Excellence for Energy in the United Arab Emirates – a global first for the company – to empower organisations in the industry in accelerating digital transformation, equipping the workforce with AI skills, as well as collaborating on coalitions to address sustainability and safety challenges.

Germany's Minister for Digital Infrastructure has vowed to make the country an innovation leader in 5G technology - by unveiling its strategic roadmap for the implementation of 5G in Germany. Alexander Dobrindt, launched the nation's 5G strategy, which disclosed plans to rollout a 'high-quality' wide area network by 2025.