Telefónica Tech, the digital arm of Telefónica, has taken a significant step forward in smart city innovation with the enhancement of its outdoor lighting system. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), the solution now enables municipalities to tailor lighting levels to the specific needs of urban areas, resulting in potential energy savings of up to 30%. This development aligns with the growing demand for sustainable urban infrastructure that optimises energy consumption while addressing environmental concerns.

The enhanced system leverages Telefónica Tech’s Smart Steps platform, which allows for real-time remote management of streetlights. Using sensors equipped with NB-IoT connectivity, the platform collects and analyses data from each luminaire. By incorporating insights such as crowd behavior, weather conditions, and points of interest, the system can dynamically adjust the brightness of individual lights to reflect the actual demand in different locations. This real-time adaptability ensures that lighting is both efficient and responsive to the unique characteristics of each urban environment.

Smart Steps, Telefónica Tech’s mobility analysis platform, plays a pivotal role in this innovation. Powered by advanced analytics and AI, it processes anonymised data from millions of mobile devices to identify patterns in crowd movements and behaviors. These insights are invaluable for urban planning, helping city administrations and private entities make strategic decisions about infrastructure and services. For instance, during special events or peak activity periods, lighting levels can be adjusted based on historical movement data and weather forecasts, ensuring public lighting meets the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Beyond energy efficiency, the solution also promotes sustainability and cost-effectiveness. By reducing light pollution and enabling early detection of faults, it minimises maintenance expenses by up to 20%. The system’s capabilities were rigorously tested at The ThinX, Telefónica Tech’s IoT innovation lab, which facilitates collaboration with customers and partners to refine and co-develop IoT solutions. Alfredo Serret, Telefónica Tech’s Global IoT Director, emphasised the company’s commitment to creating smarter, more sustainable cities, stating that their advanced lighting solution not only enhances urban living but also contributes positively to environmental preservation.