Emerging Tech

Expect to see more low-speed, autonomous shuttle projects developing into full-scale integrated transit services. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority in Florida plans to launch the first phase of AV shuttles into its transit mix by 2023.

A partnership among industry, the National Science Foundation and US Ignite has formed the OpenAirX-Labs to grow the development and testing of open source 5G software to increase innovation in wireless technology.

Spot, a robot dog produced by Boston Dynamics, has been employed by a few police departments over the last couple of years, raising the antennas of surveillance critics. Does Spot have a future in public safety?

A drone industry alliance and a Syracuse hospital have successfully completed a year-long project to prove the feasibility of making fast medical deliveries — rooftop to rooftop — with drones.

This year's Startup Awards winners are focused on autonomous vehicles, athlete injuries, the fashion industry and business vehicle fleets. All four will receive up to $100,000 and access to a collaborative workspace.

Wyoming will become the site of a novel nuclear energy plant in a move announced by Gov. Mark Gordon that could diversify the state’s economy and put the nation on a path toward a carbon-free electricity grid by 2035.

Experts in quantum computing say the federal government’s continued support of the emerging technology will have implications for state and local government entities, particularly as it applies to economic development.

Illinois researchers are prepping a test of a system to get Asian carp out of waterways while also helping native fish travel by working with Whooshh Innovations, a company known for the fish tube, or salmon cannon.

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously voted today to prohibit county departments, including the sheriff's office, from using facial recognition tech. If signed by the county executive, the measure becomes law.

Plus, Google’s voice assistant gets better at pronouncing names, a hacked password manager compromises information for nearly 30,000 users and cryptocurrency companies tackle climate change.

The Utah Department of Transportation is partnering with Blyncsy to provide dashcam imagery showing road conditions in and around Salt Lake City. The cameras will be mounted on ride-share vehicles, among others.

NASA has asked industry leaders to send ideas for lunar rovers and for a new lunar terrain vehicle, which is working to get astronauts back on the moon. Companies expect a request for proposals to come later this year.

Springfield, Ill., police are looking to install about 80 of the cameras, which cost $2,500 per year, throughout the city to hopefully have “a positive impact on reduction of crime,” police officials have said.

The U.S. is wary of 5G tech from China, but industry experts ask if it’s possible to guarantee software is free of components from a particular country. Plus, they ask, when something goes wrong with 5G applications’ security, who’s to blame?

An investigation revealed that more than 40 law enforcement agencies in Minnesota used facial recognition tech from Clearview AI. Experts have raised questions about the legality and reliability of this tech.

Transit agencies in Maryland and Massachusetts have turned to renewable energy microgrid projects to better manage the needs of their bus fleets. The move will also help meet aggressive sustainability goals.

A legislative proposal sponsored by Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, would allow for the use of the digital technology in the investigation of only the most serious crimes, including rape and murder.

Drones have captured images of bridges, mansions, lighthouses and other historic structures across Wisconsin and the Midwest in recent years, gathering data before the sites are razed and gone.