Urban OS sensor system could soon be running entire cities

Dubbed Urban OS, the system relies on the devices placed in the urban environment to provide data and analyse events in order to keep buildings, traffic and services running smoothly.

Living PlanIT, the company behind Urban OS, claims its technology will make cities more efficient and environmentally sensitive.

The sensors monitor everything from large-scale traffic flows to the temperature of an individual room. The Urban OS then manages communication between sensors without any human input.

John Stenlake, chief technology officer at Living PlanIT, said: ‘We’re a technology company producing a software platform that enables an ecosystem to deliver better results, such as more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

‘One example scenario of how our system could benefit a city is its ability to provide detailed information to a fire crew, which will then be able to deal with an incident much more effectively when it gets there.

‘The system will top up the water mains so that there is sufficient pressure; control traffic management systems in order to keep other traffic out of the way; and unlock doors and windows.