What We’re Clicking On
October 10th, 2018
In our new weekly News Filter, we share our thoughts on the most interesting news articles, blogs, videos and events relating to the future of cities, buildings and interiors.
“Cloudy with a chance of economic growth”
Last week Ford invested $45M in weather prediction startup Climacell. Climacell uses cell phone and IoT data to make hyper-local weather forecasts. This could be interesting for a wide range of applications, such as ride-hailing services and delivery services, but also as a service to citizens. Other industries that can be thought of that could profit from this technology is the agriculture industry and airline industry. According to National Weather Service estimates, weather effects have an impact on America’s GDP up to 6%. ClimaCell is a startup based in Boston and with the investment of Ford it brings its total raised funding to $65m.
Read more at The Hustle and ClimaCell’s own website.
Google Maps adds real-time transport information and partners up with public transport operators
In a blog post Google announced to add real-time information on potential delays and alternate routes to Google Maps in order to relieve stress for commuters. Google gives commuters the opportunity to have all their commute planning data in one place (Google Maps) instead of having to use individual transit apps. Engaging in partnerships with public transport operators such as Transport New South Wales allows users even to see how full the vehicle is they are planning to take, which will add convenience and comfort to the commuter’s journey. Google hopes that by adding this information to its app, it will relieve some of the uncertainty and inconvenience that comes with public transport and transit.
Read more on Smart Cities Dive and read Google’s blog here
The Opportunity Atlas helps policy makers to crack open the problem of neighborhood disadvantage
Where children grow up matters in whether they prosper as adults. The Census Bureau together with researchers at Harvard and Brown published data on nearly all neighborhoods in North America, showing (on street-level) the expected adult household income for poor children for different backgrounds. Nationwide policy makers and philanthropists are planning on how to use the maps to challenge the problem of neighborhood disadvantage. The city of Seattle is for example offering families extra rent money on top of rental vouchers to rent a home in a neighborhood that will give children more chance on economic fortune. Nationwide the variation between states and regions is huge, but as the most striking find, the New York Times mentions local disparities, even between streets. Researches state that much of the variation is driven by the neighborhoods themselves as the hyper-local setting seems to matter the most: the environment within half a mile of the child’s home.
Read more on NYT or view the interactive maps at The Opportunity Atlas