Last week, our team attended the Mobility World Congress in Barcelona for the first time – an event co-hosted with Smart City Expo, bringing together global innovators, public authorities, and technology leaders shaping the cities of tomorrow.
A World-Class Venue for Innovation
Hosted at FIRA Barcelona, the venue offered an ideal setting for collaboration and networking – Easily accessible from the airport, with all staff being attentive and supportive.
While moving between the two halls dedicated to Smart City and Mobility technologies was straightforward, the stand markings and locations were not always clear, which occasionally caused delays in finding the right companies.
There were several food and hospitality areas, though additional seating would have been welcome to give visitors more space to relax and rest their legs.
Smart Cities, Smarter Solutions
The event’s dual focus – Mobility World and Smart City – covered a diverse range of sectors driving urban transformation, including:
– Traffic flow optimisation and public transport efficiency
– Waste management, collection, and recycling innovation
– Expansion of EV charging infrastructure
– Automated and shared e-mobility systems
– Smart parking and sustainable city design
From AI-driven data analytics to green infrastructure, each discussion highlighted how cross-sector collaboration is key to creating more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.
Highlights from Google’s “What’s Next for the Smart City”
A standout session came from Google’s presentation, “What’s Next for the Smart City,” featuring CiviForm and Berlin Lab.
The speakers explored how AI can simplify access to public funding, reducing administrative barriers for families and businesses. Many eligible recipients, they noted, miss out on available support due to complex application processes – a challenge AI could help overcome by automating data entry and streamlining form completion.
Innovation Across the Ecosystem
The exhibition floor reflected the full spectrum of innovation – from university research projects and early-stage startups developing AI-powered apps to improve city operations, to major engineering, technology, and construction companies such as Dell, Nvidia, and Microsoft, showcasing scalable smart infrastructure solutions.
Innovative Product
One product that particularly caught the eye (no pun intended) was the Eagle Drone – a new device designed to capture rogue drones that may disrupt businesses or airports. It operates by deploying a net to safely intercept the offending drone, ensuring no risk to staff or the public below.
Looking Ahead
Our participation offered valuable insight into how technology, data, and design converge to build the connected cities of the future.
At Exertis Supply Chain Services, we continue to explore how these emerging trends – from AI-driven automation to sustainable logistics, will influence future supply chain strategies and customer solutions.
