Smart City Startups is heading back to Miami for its second year of urban tech innovation.
Organized by Miami-based investment fund Urban.Us, the two-day conference will kick off with a Festival open to the public, where 100 startups will showcase solutions that can transform our cities in the next decade. The event will explore how emerging tech can solve the most challenging issues confronting cities like energy, mobility, sustainable building, governance, and public safety.
“We’re excited to let people see and touch the future. Much of what these startups are building was recently science fiction.” said Shaun Abrahamson, co-founder of Urban.US . “And we’re extremely excited to have keynote speakers like computer scientist, award-winning author and Microsoft vet Ramez Naam, who believes we can achieve economic growth through innovation to reduce our rates of pollution and consumption.”
So what can attendees expect from these startups? From electric skateboarders to park benches that recharge your smartphones using solar energy, there are some global gems headed to South Florida. Here are the top 10 startups for you to look out for:
1. OneWheel
OneWheel is a great way to get around the city without having to get stuck in traffic. This one wheeled electronic skateboard made headlines during this year’s CES in Las Vegas and it’s very fun.
2. Whill
Whill is an all-terrain wheelchair for people with disabilities that is minimalistic, functional, and stylish. The idea behind this product is to fundamentally change the attitudes of personal mobility users, as well as the general perceptions of personal mobility.
3. Skycatch Construction Drones
Skycatch can speed up construction without putting human lives in danger. These drones will automate the construction site, leaving humans to program the machines and then push a button to send them to work.
4. Direct Energy Truck
Direct Energy is a 18-wheeler loaded with innovative devices and appliances for smart homes. The truck features a range of products designed for both home and business use demonstrating how you can create a greener home.
5. Lagoon
Lagoon helps you track your water usage using sensors that alert you when there is a leak. It not only helps you save money on water bills, but also makes sure water is not being wasted.
6. Dash
Dash turns any car into a ‘smart car’. This app connect your car to your smartphone, and unlock enhanced performance, cost savings and social driving.
7. Hammerhead
Hammerhead is a device that can help you navigate safely on a bicycle. It communicates turn-by-turn direction instructions via easily visible light patterns. With the Hammerhead, you can keep your eyes on the road and your mind on the ride.
8. Rachio
Rachio sells WiFi sprinkler controllers and has been saving customers millions of gallons of water since hitting the market. Save 20%-30% on water usage.
9. Zuli
Zuli helps you create a smart home that adjust to where you are and what you like. With the Zuli plug is a smart outlet, you can control your lights and appliances from your smartphone.
10. Soofa
Soofa is a solar-powered hub for smart, social and sustainable spaces. Soofas create an infrastructure for smart spaces tailored to the mobile generation.
Smart City Startups will be April 23rd, 2015 in Miami, Florida.
Editor’s Note: Zuli will no longer be featured during Smart City Startups this year.
