Algorithms Can Predict Future Disasters | Wired California is studded with a network of sensors that can perceive almost any motion in the ground, including the slightest perturbation of the Earth’s crust. The network began as a seismology research project, to track earthquakes in this fault-ridden part of the world. But as technologies developed, the network became more sophisticated, gathering far more data than ever before. Eventually, the science of earthquake observation reached a tipping point, and became the science of earthquake prediction.

Algorithms Can Predict Future Disasters | Wired

California is studded with a network of sensors that can perceive almost any motion in the ground, including the slightest perturbation of the Earth’s crust. The network began as a seismology research project, to track earthquakes in this fault-ridden part of the world. But as technologies developed, the network became more sophisticated, gathering far more data than ever before. Eventually, the science of earthquake observation reached a tipping point, and became the science of earthquake prediction.

Permalink

Data Makes Dubuque, Iowa Smart and Sustainable | Government Technology Data is an intangible and powerful tool, the city of Dubuque, Iowa, discovered over the past few years. The city partnered with IBM Research in 2009 to create an initiative called Smarter Sustainable Dubuque. Aligned with Mayor Roy Buol’s platform of engaging citizens as partners, Smarter Sustainable Dubuque has deployed several pilot programs aimed at encouraging sustainable practices. The city now more closely monitors utility and transportation data, shares that data with its population, and reaps the benefits of smarter decision-making.

Data Makes Dubuque, Iowa Smart and Sustainable | Government Technology

Data is an intangible and powerful tool, the city of Dubuque, Iowa, discovered over the past few years. The city partnered with IBM Research in 2009 to create an initiative called Smarter Sustainable Dubuque. Aligned with Mayor Roy Buol’s platform of engaging citizens as partners, Smarter Sustainable Dubuque has deployed several pilot programs aimed at encouraging sustainable practices. The city now more closely monitors utility and transportation data, shares that data with its population, and reaps the benefits of smarter decision-making.

Permalink

Tallinn’s free public transport leads to sharp fall in city traffic | CitiesToday Within four months of initiating free public transport, the city of Tallinn in Estonia has seen a fall of 15 percent in traffic, including 7,600 fewer cars entering the city, and an increase of 14 percent in public transport use.

Tallinn’s free public transport leads to sharp fall in city traffic | CitiesToday

Within four months of initiating free public transport, the city of Tallinn in Estonia has seen a fall of 15 percent in traffic, including 7,600 fewer cars entering the city, and an increase of 14 percent in public transport use.

Permalink

Application development using IBM’s Smart Water SDK | SmarterWater Apple revolutionized the consumer world with their iPhone/iPad app store providing developers with access to the iOS platform and allowed them to build their own applications. Apple also provided an App Store where application developer could advertise and sell the applications. The Smarter Water platform now follows this model but instead of targeting customers, it targets a range of 3rd party water applications developers from research groups (including universities), services provider and partners, to developer their own smarter water applications.

Application development using IBM’s Smart Water SDK | SmarterWater

Apple revolutionized the consumer world with their iPhone/iPad app store providing developers with access to the iOS platform and allowed them to build their own applications. Apple also provided an App Store where application developer could advertise and sell the applications. The Smarter Water platform now follows this model but instead of targeting customers, it targets a range of 3rd party water applications developers from research groups (including universities), services provider and partners, to developer their own smarter water applications.

Permalink

Santander: Test bed for smart cities and open data policies | SmartPlanet To support SmartSantander ambitions, the city is deploying more than 10,000 sensors to monitor everything from garbage collection to crime to air quality. Libelium, a Spanish startup, has contributed around 1,000 sensor nodes, which monitor available street parking (see sensor embedded in street, in image above), collect air quality data and manage street lighting for better energy efficiency.

Santander: Test bed for smart cities and open data policies | SmartPlanet

To support SmartSantander ambitions, the city is deploying more than 10,000 sensors to monitor everything from garbage collection to crime to air quality. Libelium, a Spanish startup, has contributed around 1,000 sensor nodes, which monitor available street parking (see sensor embedded in street, in image above), collect air quality data and manage street lighting for better energy efficiency.

Permalink

How to Build Innovation Ecosystems in Africa | A Smarter Planet Blog Innovation ecosystems are complex organisms that are difficult to create yet tremendously powerful when they work. Think Silicon Valley. They require a melding of all of the capabilities of governments, businesses, financiers, universities, and individuals. Together, these organizations and individuals provide the web of support that makes it easier for startups to launch and grow quickly, and for established companies to innovate more aggressively. With that kind of support, African entrepreneurs and businesses will find it easier to produce new products and services, or even create whole new industries. You can think of an innovation ecosystem as a collective intelligence—harnessed for the good of society. IBM is committed to helping Africa build successful innovation ecosystems. The latest sign of this willingness is our new IBM Innovation Center in Nairobi, Kenya.

How to Build Innovation Ecosystems in Africa | A Smarter Planet Blog

Innovation ecosystems are complex organisms that are difficult to create yet tremendously powerful when they work. Think Silicon Valley. They require a melding of all of the capabilities of governments, businesses, financiers, universities, and individuals. Together, these organizations and individuals provide the web of support that makes it easier for startups to launch and grow quickly, and for established companies to innovate more aggressively. With that kind of support, African entrepreneurs and businesses will find it easier to produce new products and services, or even create whole new industries. You can think of an innovation ecosystem as a collective intelligence—harnessed for the good of society.

IBM is committed to helping Africa build successful innovation ecosystems. The latest sign of this willingness is our new IBM Innovation Center in Nairobi, Kenya.

Permalink