Ubicquia buys CityIQ to boost smart streetlight services
May 4, 2020, SmartCitiesWorld - Ubicquia to boost streetlight tech with artificial intelligence and traffic management with CityIQ smart city platform acquisition.
Acquisition will broaden Ubicquia's offering to areas such as traffic optimisation and public safety
Smart city streetlight and small cell manufacturer Ubicquia is to expand into traffic optimisation services after agreeing to buy CityIQ for an undisclosed sum.
In addition to traffic optimisation services, CityIQ, which is owned by energy company GE Current, offers public safety services. Its technology can be installed across any cobra head or ornamental streetlamp.
Addressing congestion
The company’s AI platform tracks and analyses video and audio data to suggest solutions to traffic congestion, improving bicycle lane use and safety, reducing crime, and supporting a city’s health initiatives.
CityIQ also offers APIs and tools to integrate its data with those of internal systems or third party partner platforms like gunfire location detector ShotSpotter, video surveillance company Genetec or AI provider Xaqt.
Since the company launched more than five years ago, CityIQ’s technology has been deployed in cities across the United States and Canada including San Diego, Atlanta, Portland and Schenectady.
As part of the deal, Ubicquia will acquire CityIQ’s technology, related patents and major contracts with companies and cities across the United States and Canada. Its development, sales and customer service teams in Cleveland and Montreal will also be integrated into Ubicquia.
"By adding CityIQ to Ubicquia’s other technology, they will jointly be better positioned to accelerate solutions for cities solving their most pressing public health and safety issues.”
Appetite for smart streetlights in the United States is rapidly growing, with a recent report from Northeast claiming the country will invest $8.2 billion upgrading its infrastructure during the next 10 years.
Ubicquia CEO Ian Aaron said CityIQ was an "ideal fit" with its own smart city and small cell solutions. He added: "The CityIQ team brings deep relationships with key smart city stakeholders and public sector thought leadership on how CityIQ and AI technology can align with a city’s open data and privacy policies.
"I am looking forward to integrating our teams, expanding CityIQ capabilities and making Smart City AI scalable and affordable for cities of all sizes.”
Manish Bhandari, president and CEO of Current, said: “We are pleased to pass the reins of the CityIQ business to Ubicquia. They are an excellent fit for our people, the technology and for the platform’s customers. By adding CityIQ to Ubicquia’s other technology, they will jointly be better positioned to accelerate solutions for cities solving their most pressing public health and safety issues.”
