This week’s Smart City roundup features strategic investment in Light Sensory Networks, a smart tree that delivers more than shade and the signing of a smart infrastructure contract for smarter cities.

A $36m investment in Light Sensory Networks

Sensity Systems, Inc., the pioneer of Light Sensory Networks (LSNs), closed a private funding round of $36 million led by Cisco Investments with the participation of other industry leaders such as Acuity Brands, GE Ventures and Simon Venture Group (corporate investment arm of Simon Property Group).

This round brings Sensity’s total funding to $74 million since its inception from venture investors Almaz Capital, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Radar Partners and Silver Creek Ventures, in addition to the above-mentioned four industry-leading lighting, networking and retail organizations. The investment will be used to scale Sensity’s NetSense platform and application developer program globally.

An LSN leverages lighting infrastructure embedded with sensors that collect and transmit data and enable Cloud-based apps and services for smart city, smart parking, retail services, security and public safety, environmental monitoring, and other initiatives.

Smart Palm

A different type of tree is sprouting in the streets of Dubai that has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts. Called Smart Palm, the palm-tree-looking structure is described as a green, self-sustainable device recharge station and info hub with complimentary Wi-Fi access.

It provides wireless Internet access to devices in its immediately vicinity via Wi-Fi, has security and emergency features thanks to a 360-degree infrared CCTV camera and accessible Emergency button, comes with solar panels on top of the branches to power the structure and has a touchscreen and smart info application. The device also comes with digital outdoor screens to provide people with more information about the area or for ad placement, and it features relax points and battery recharge stations so people can rest and recharge their devices.

The first Smart Palm was “planted” in Dubai’s Zabeel Park back in April, and the second was placed just last week at the Jumeira Beach and Park near the Burj Al Arab. Dubai plans to install 103 more Smart Palms across the city in the coming months.

Camgian lands USACE contract

Camgian Microsystems Corp. announced that it has landed a new contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and it will be leveraging its award-winning IoT product Egburt. Egburt is a complete IoT app service comprising software, hardware and communications built on a powerful edge computing architecture.

With the use of Egburt, Camgian will design and build a novel platform for implementing secure, scalable smart infrastructure solutions across a broad range of remote assets that the USACE maintains, such as locks, bridges, dams and levees. This includes providing critical operational and structural intelligence that supports improved system performance and maintenance.

Photo by faceymcface1