IoT Tech Expo: How the IoT is shaping the future of rail

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During a session at this year’s IoT Tech Expo North America, the audience heard from Joffrey Lauthier, VP of Transit and Rail at WSP, about how IoT technologies are shaping the future of rail.

Positioning vehicles accurately and ensuring their safety is a critical aspect of transportation systems. To achieve this, a variety of sensors and technologies are used.

One technology that has been widely used for positioning vehicles for decades is one we’re all familiar...

Bristol Temple Meads named UK’s first Station Innovation Zone

Bristol Temple Meads railway station has been named the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone.

Isambard Brunel’s station has been an icon of railway architecture since it was built for the Great Western Railway in 1840. Around 10 million passengers continue to use the station every year, a testament to Brunel’s lasting impact on the city of Bristol.

To continue serving passengers for centuries to come, Temple Meads will have to adopt new technologies that improve the...

Uber begins testing bus and train bookings in the UK

Uber has begun testing a feature that allows UK citizens to book rail and bus transport.

By allowing users to book alternative transport types at the same time as their traditional car rides, Uber hopes to become a one-stop shop for journeys.

"We’re excited to launch our new travel offering this summer, allowing a seamless door-to-door travel experience across the UK," said Andrew Brem, GM of Uber UK, in a statement.

For the feature, Uber has teamed up with...

China to hit mobility giant Didi with a $1B fine

Chinese authorities are set to hit mobility giant Didi with a $1 billion fine, a move that could end a torrid period for the firm.

Didi has been in the spotlight of the Chinese government after the company raised $4 billion from selling its stocks in New York.

Beijing launched a data security probe into Didi in the days after its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing; claiming that it was “illegally collecting user data”. However, both the country’s regulators and...

Cisco and Verizon demo millisecond C-V2X connectivity using MEC

Cisco and Verizon have partnered up to demonstrate millisecond C-V2X (cellular vehicle-to-everything) connectivity.

The partners used a proof-of-concept demo in Las Vegas to show how cellular and MEC (mobile edge compute) technology can be combined to unlock innovative new solutions for connected vehicles.

“This test is a huge milestone in proving that the future of connectivity for IoT applications can be powered by cellular,” said Krishna Iyer, Director of Systems...

Vodafone aims to improve European road safety with new platform

Vodafone is launching a platform that uses data from connected vehicles and devices to improve the safety of European roads.

The new ‘Safer Transport for Europe Platform’ (STEP) is free and compatible with all in-vehicle navigation systems and third-party map apps.

By facilitating faster and more efficient information-sharing between road users, transport authorities, and each other, Vodafone believes it can greatly improve road safety.

Joakim Reiter, Chief...

UK commits £1.6B towards improving electric vehicle infrastructure

The UK Government has committed £1.6 billion towards improving the availability and usability of electric vehicle infrastructure.

Electric vehicles will be key to meeting climate targets and achieving the government’s aim to become more energy self-sufficient.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“We’re powering ahead with plans to help British people go electric, with our expanding charging network making journeys easier right across the...

Vodafone Connected Consumer 2030: How smart tech will transform our world

Vodafone held an event to celebrate the launch of a new report exploring how “smart technology will fundamentally transform our experience of the world in the next decade.”

The report, Connected Consumer 2030, was conducted by The FutureLaboratory on behalf of Vodafone.

An opening video at the start of the event highlighted the challenges we face—geopolitical tensions, climate change, strained healthcare systems, depleting resources, and more. It’s a pretty bleak...

Amazon’s self-driving vehicle brand Zoox to begin Seattle tests

Amazon’s self-driving vehicle brand Zoox will soon hit the streets of Seattle following tests in Las Vegas and the Bay Area.

Zoox has been testing its vehicles for over four years, but every city is unique.

“Our goal isn’t to change mobility in a few states; we want to reimagine transportation for the whole world,” explains Zoox in its announcement. ”To do that, we have to prepare for unfamiliar roads and novel conditions.”

‘Hello,...

The IoT could help the UK cut 17.4M tonnes of CO2

A report from Vodafone and WPI Economics has found that emerging technologies like the IoT and 5G could help the UK cut 17.4 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Earlier this year, the UK enshrined in law a target to slash carbon emissions by 78 percent by 2035 as part of a bid to achieve net-zero by 2050. Achieving the UK’s target, and hopefully exceeding it, will require taking advantage of every possible tool.

Susanne Baker, Associate Director, Climate, Environment and...