Cisco, Kansas City Partner on Smart City Projects

Cisco and Kansas City, Mo., have partnered on several smart city projects to improve the downtown area’s connectivity and efficiency using Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities program and the Internet of Everything.

Smart cities integrate technology into a strategic approach to sustainability. Kansas city says these pilot projects, called Connected and Innovative Kansas City, are the first of their kind in the US.

Kansas City and Cisco have signed a letter of intent that outlines a framework for specific Connected and Innovative Kansas City pilot projects, including:

• environment and infrastructure sensing;
• interactive kiosks and mobile applications in Downtown Kansas City that will promote resident engagement;
• smart street lighting that will help the City use less energy and save more money; and
• high definition security video.

The city and Cisco plan to make a final selection on additional pilot projects and partners by the end of June 2014.

The letter of intent gives Kansas City access to the Cisco Smart+Connected Communities architecture and data for ongoing performance evaluation and data collection. In addition, Cisco will help Kansas City develop a digital roadmap.

Cisco will also manage a Kansas City “living lab” for entrepreneurial development. This lab will serve as an incubator for these Connected and Innovative Kansas City participants and startups to develop new ways to address public safety, infrastructure maintenance, urban sustainability and community engagement.

IBM and Cisco are the top smart city suppliers, positioned to become global leaders in the market, Navigant Research says. The firm forecasts that the global smart city technology market will grow from $6.1 billion in annual revenue in 2012 to $20.2 billion by 2020. Five segments are the focus for smart city investment: smart energy, smart water, smart transportation, smart buildings and smart government.