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Smart Cities
Cities across the globe are installing technology to gather data in the hopes of saving money, becoming cleaner, reducing traffic, and improving urban life. Digital Trends regularly examines how smart cities deal with everything from energy management, to disaster preparedness, to public safety — and most importantly, what it all means for you.
World’s Fair 2.0: The mission to resurrect the greatest tech expo of all time
The World's Fair was a technology expo that sparked the world's imagination in a way that no other has. It's time to resurrect it
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Mercedes-Benz rolls into micromobility market with foldable e-scooter
Mercedes-Benz has launched its first electric scooter, a rugged two-wheeler with a top speed of 12 mph and a 15-mile range.
Yale wants to keep your possessions safe with new smart delivery box, lock
With porch piracy on the rise, Yale has launched the Smart Delivery Box, a secure way to store your packages. For cabinets, there's the Yale Smart Cabinet Lock.
Watch Amazon’s new Ring security drone take on a burglar in first ad
Amazon's new Ring security drone flies from room to room to check if your home is safe. An ad from the company imagines how a burglar might react to it.
California will ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035
By 2035, all new vehicles sold in California must be zero-emission, according to a new executive order Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Wednesday.
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Google Maps will now show coronavirus outbreaks in your area
The tool shows how many new confirmed coronavirus cases there have been in an area in the last seven days.
U.K. has plans to create aerial drone zone superhighways to contain UAV traffic
To help drones take the next step in mainstream adoption, the U.K. is in the process of establishing what could be the world’s first commercial drone corridor.
Alexa’s moving into your next apartment with Amazon’s residential program
Thanks to partnerships with home builders and rental companies, Alexa might soon become a default part of the rental experience — and even a tour guide.
Dozens of mayors want a green pandemic recovery
C40 Cities is a group of mayors dedicated to tackling climate change. They think the coronavirus should transform cities into car-free, mass transit utopias.
Amazon’s new smart shopping cart lets you skip the checkout lines
Amazon has launched a smart shopping cart called the Dash Cart that uses sensors to tell what you're buying and lets you skip the traditional checkout lines.
What Comes Next: How tech can help schools safely reopen
If your school is reopening in the fall, safety will be a priority, and the upcoming school year will test the limits of how schools can open and operate.
Iconic music venue will present live gigs you can watch in VR from your home
In the age of coronavirus, live music gigs seem like something from another lifetime. Could virtual reality help bring them back?
Elon Musk’s Boring Company plans ‘Not-a-Boring’ boring contest
With a plan to build underground transportation systems, the Boring Company needs tunneling machines that are quicker and more efficient than current designs.
Japanese convenience stores will use VR-controlled robots to stack shelves
A chain of convenience stores in Japan is testing out VR-controlled robots controlled by employees to stack shelves. It's social distancing, Skynet-style.
You’ll be ordering food with QR code menus long after the pandemic ends
QR codes menus at restaurants are experiencing a renaissance as a way to eliminate shared menus, which could spread the coronavirus between customers.
What Comes Next: How tech helps transit and travel open safely
We take a look at the safety measures around public transportation and flying, and how those industries are aiming to tackle the spread of the coronavirus.
What Comes Next: How tech is helping offices and workplaces reopen
In our new series, What Comes Next, we take a look ahead to see what steps businesses will need to take to prepare to move into the next phase of reopening.
What Comes Next: How tech is helping gyms and salons open safely
On this What Comes Next, we look into the reopening plans for gyms and hair salons, which are using new tech to make some big post-COVID-19 pandemic changes.
What Comes Next: How tech helps restaurants and stores open safely
On this episode of What Comes Next, Winn looks into how restaurants and stores will be using different technologies to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
Experts: Facial recognition will be everywhere, whether you like it or not
Facial recognition could soon become as commonplace as public Wi-Fi and security cameras. But with the advance of technology comes major ethical questions.
Self-driving forklifts are here to revolutionize warehouses, for better or worse
Third Wave Automation raised $15 million to make self-driving forklifts a reality. Here's how it's going to change warehouses as we know it.
Waymo and Volvo ink deal to build an all-new electric robo-taxi
Waymo has announced yet another partnership, this time with Volvo. The pair will join forces to build an all-new autonomous car for ridesharing services.
Democratic lawmakers propose nationwide facial recognition ban
Democrats in Congress proposed a law on Thursday that would ban federal investment in facial recognition technology as well as other types of surveillance.