About this Challenge

Building on the success of the first CivX Smart Cities challenge showcasing cutting-edge solutions for secure, real-time urban operations, we are excited to introduce the next installment in our Smart Cities challenge series. In this second challenge, participants will address a critical aspect of modern urban resilience: Enhanced Urban Communication Networks.

Improving resiliency and decision-making for sustainable and intelligent urban systems.
Future State: As cities face increasingly complex environmental, social, and technological challenges, we invite innovators to develop solutions that empower city leaders and communities to manage their environments in any scenario. By leveraging advanced communication networks, real-time data sharing, and scalable analytics, this challenge calls for ideas that improve the resiliency and capability of networks, helping to create robust and adaptable urban systems for the future.

‍

Your Challenge

We invite you to develop innovative solutions that enhance the resilience, reliability, and sustainability of urban communication networks, empowering city leaders, and community stakeholders to make informed decisions under any conditions. Example end users could include urban planners, municipal departments (such as ports, fire departments, and police), and citizens, but also feel free to brainstorm other users for your innovation!

Some ideas to consider:

• Operational Resilience: How do we perform in emergency scenarios where traditional systems fail to operate?
• Energy Efficiency: How can we optimize for greater energy efficiency?
• Support for Smart Infrastructure: How can we integrate with or improve existing communications technology and infrastructure? Do current network capacities satisfy future requirements?
• Adaptable Delivery Systems (Optional): How can we support or enhance synergies with underlying communication networks and drones?

Your solution should focus on allowing civic leaders and stakeholders to maintain network operability regardless of environmental impacts, ensuring energy resilience for uninterrupted communication, and facilitating seamless communication and coordination during emergencies. Additionally, it should enable scalable, sensor-enabled infrastructure ensuring secure, adaptable networks capable of functioning under high demand or during public network failures. By addressing these priorities, your solution should empower urban operators to coordinate resources, optimize response times, pre-plan for emergency situations and ensure sustainable and equitable outcomes in any scenario. Aligning with the principles established in the first challenge is encouraged but not required.‍

Key Objectives:

1. Strengthen urban communication networks to function effectively under both ideal and adverse conditions.
2. Provide secure, scalable, and adaptable systems that integrate seamlessly into urban environments.
3. Explore innovative ways to enhance the functionality and reliability of civic communication and network infrastructure
4.  Provide the network and communication framework for future Smart Cities innovation

‍

‍Additional Innovator Resources:
‍When developing your solution, keep in mind the following questions:

• What resources are available to me?
• What value does my solution provide?
• Who is the target audience for this solution?
• When will the target audience use this solution?
• Why will the target audience choose to use this solution?

‍

Background

Smart cities represent a transformative approach to urban development by leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data to enhance the quality of life, improve infrastructure, and optimize urban services. They present vast opportunities, including improved resource efficiency, real-time problem-solving through digital twins, and enhanced sustainability via innovations like energy micro-grids and AI-driven waste management. However, they also raise significant ethical issues. Key concerns include data privacy, potential biases in AI algorithms, digital equity, and the transparency of data usage. Citizen participation and trust are critical; strategies must emphasize inclusivity and robust governance to ensure technologies serve as tools for societal benefit rather than sources of inequity or exploitation

Griffiss Institute:
The Griffiss Institute aims to develop the next generation of STEM talent and defense technologies that will strengthen U.S. national security and create economic opportunity for their region, state and nation. As a Partnership Intermediary, the Griffiss Institute performs services for the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate that increases the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities with small business firms, institutions of higher education, and industry.

Challenge Administration:
The challenge registration and submission portal are administered by a contractor, Blue Clarity LLC, in support of the Griffiss Institute.

‍