By turning methods of moving transportation into Internet hotspots, a Portuguese startup's wifi vehicle line could create smart cities. Veniam turns cars, buses and similar vehicles into Internet providing hubs that can connect to each other and the cloud. So far the city of Porto has over 600 wifi vehicles in its transport-based wifi network and serves 60,000 unique users every month. The technology consists of a self-configuring network that is cloud-based and NetRiders (onboard routers).
Given that this technology can be installed in everything from a public bus to taxi cabs and personal cars, this indicates an exciting move beyond the smart home to the connected city. Big data can also be collected via built-in sensors, allowing governments to monitor and improve city services.
What's Driving This Trend
- Internet Hotspot Vehicles
- By turning vehicles into Internet hotspots, there is an opportunity to create smart cities and improved connectivity.
- Smart City Connectivity
- The Veniam wifi vehicle network enables vehicles to connect to each other and the cloud, paving the way for a connected city.
- Big Data Collection in Transportation
- The built-in sensors on wifi vehicles allow for the collection of valuable data, providing opportunities to monitor and improve city services.
Who This Affects Most
- Transportation
- Opportunities for the implementation of wifi vehicle networks exist in public transportation, taxi services, and personal cars.
- Smart Home
- This technology expands beyond the smart home, creating an innovative solution for a connected city.
- Government Services
- Governments can benefit from the data collected by wifi vehicles to monitor and improve city services.
