From November 4 to 6, Barcelona hosted the Smart City Expo World Congress, which attracted more than 25,000 attendees, including over 600 expert speakers and more than 200 sessions focused on the latest advancements in urbanism and technology.
The congress also featured a large number of mayors from cities around the world, who expressed strong interest in new technologies that could improve the quality of life in urban areas.
A wide range of technologies were presented, with a special section dedicated to young creators and startups. This section showcased groundbreaking innovations, such as an all-terrain electric car with autopilot, designed to provide medical assistance in remote or hard-to-reach areas. Another highlight was a cargo transport system that automates the entire logistics process—from loading to unloading—reducing transport costs by up to 80% while generating zero waste.
Additionally, a real-time waste analysis system for garbage trucks was introduced. This system helps optimize waste sorting, which could play a key role in tackling global pollution. Another solution presented was Greenin’s biotech urban furniture, which uses microalgae photobioreactors to clean the air by capturing CO₂ and releasing O₂.
Water pollution, a particularly pressing issue, was also addressed. The latest innovation in this area, Bubble Barrier, prevents plastic waste from entering waterways. It works by creating a screen of bubbles that directs the waste into a catchment system, allowing ships to pass and fish to migrate safely. Some developments sparked debate, such as the urban radar system equipped with artificial intelligence, which monitors every square meter of the city in real time. While this technology is intended to optimize urban space, many people raised concerns about privacy and data security. However, citizens’ concerns about such issues can easily be voiced through the Citizen Dialog Kit—interactive survey devices that can be placed around the city to collect real-time feedback.
