Cities face complex challenges such as chaotic transit, inappropriate disposal of waste, pollution, climate disasters and violence. With the rapid growth of the population, uncontrolled consumption and dependence on fossil fuels, these problems intensify. To combat them, governments and startups of smart cities have joined forces, betting on technology and innovation to transform urban centers.
Part of these initiatives was presented in Smart City, The largest intelligent cities event in the Americas, held in Curitiba (PR), between 25 and 27 March. Solutions range from the use of artificial intelligence to identify urban problems to public safety tools and real -time environmental monitoring, focusing on practices aligned with the ESG agenda.
“Municipalities have increasingly invested in this sector, taking advantage of access to state and federal resources to stimulate the creation of new companies. These initiatives also drive the development of technologies and the implementation of innovative solutions. We observed a growing integration between government, companies and academia, what we call the” triple propeller “,” said Caio de Castro, one of the Icities, one of the organizers of the organizers, one Event.
Get to know some of the initiatives
To detect urban problems
Founded about six years ago, Mapzer uses artificial intelligence embedded in vehicles to identify and map maintenance needs in urban centers. The system is capable of detecting 32 types of irregularities such as burnt lamps, loose wires, accumulated trash and bush on public roads.
“In 30 days, we map a whole city. The data collected is sent to the cloud, where it is organized in graphics and reports. With this information in hand, the public administration can make more efficient decisions,” explained Paulo Machado, Mapzer’s executive director.
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Currently, the startup has about 80 employees and operates in 290 Brazilian cities, including Curitiba (PR), Goiânia (GO) and Aracaju (SE).
Technology to prevent natural disasters
Ineeds, founded in 2018, was born from Pedro Curcio Junior’s experience of more than 20 years in the mobility sector. The company specializes in urban mobility, monitoring with IoT sensors and smart solutions.
In 2022, the startup was called by the Civil Defense of Petrópolis (RJ) to create a landlord monitoring solution. In just 12 days, the team has developed a system capable of detecting vibrations on the X, Y and Z axles, allowing to predict collapse. “This system saved 51 people during a thunderstorm in Petrópolis by issuing early alerts, allowing the evacuation of risk areas,” said Junior.
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The technology was also applied in Pindamonhangaba (SP), in December 2024, where it detected the elevation of the Swiss River level, allowing a rapid response from Civil Defense and avoiding new tragedies.
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Public Security in one click
Headquartered in Pinhais (PR) and 32 years of experience in the Public Security sector, CCONET offers an integrated platform for occurrence management, vehicle monitoring, flood alerts and direct communication with the population via SMS and WhatsApp. Among the latest solutions is an emergency button for women assisted by the Maria da Penha Law.
“With one click, the victim triggers the Municipal Guard and has its location tracked in real time, allowing a faster and more efficient service,” explained Rafael Lúcio Rodspiel, manager of the company, which serves 20 municipalities and has about 30 employees.
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Govtech and the digitization of public services
COLAB, Govtech founded in 2013 by Gustavo Maia, digitizes public services and facilitates the interaction between citizens and governments. Through the platform, residents may report urban problems, participate in public consultations and access services such as school pre-registration, vaccine scheduling and permits request for events in public spaces. “Colab has been transforming the way governments communicate with the population and optimize their services,” said Maia.
Drone post office
Do you know that correspondence delivered by the postman? Yeah, soon it can be a license via drones. The post office made a symbolic delivery through the equipment during the fair. Who received was the mayor of the capital of Paraná, Eduardo Pimentel. “It is technology, innovation, the future that is coming. All Brazil is preparing through Curitiba, reinforcing the characteristic of our city in innovation and good ideas,” said the politician.
The project was developed by Atech, the Embraer Group company providing air traffic management solutions. Other tests are expected to occur over 2025, according to the company. There is no date for the official release yet.
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