Technology

London-based startup Pavegen created a triangular-shaped tile that turns footfall into electricity when walked on. The off-the-grid energy can then be used to power light bulbs or charge phones.

Graduate students from the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) developed a canopy that can be reconfigured in real-time by drones. Their prototype opens up a range of new possibilities for construction in public space.

In Boston, the first restaurant with robots as kitchen staff opened its doors. Serving healthy dishes in less than three minutes, the restaurant’s robotic sous-chefs make healthy food more affordable.

UK-based startup FiveAI will start a trial of its shared autonomous car fleet in two London suburbs in 2019. The trial will provide a glimpse into the possibilities of autonomous public transport, specifically designed with European cities in mind.

Berliner Michel Niknafs takes on a challenge to make the most of the sharing economy in his everyday life.

Berlin club owner, Michel Niknafs, goes on a digital detox — whilst trying to make his way around busy London.

What if sidewalks and car lanes in the future no longer had fixed functions, but could adapt to the ever-changing needs of urban space? Google’s Sidewalk Labs and Carlo Ratti have launched a smart and modular pavement tile that could produce versatile streets in Toronto.

Indian tea company, Chakra Tea, has come up with a smart kettle that generates Wi-Fi while heating up tea water. It allows manual workers in India to get online access during their tea breaks.

CityHub is a tech-savvy capsule hotel that recently opened its doors in Rotterdam, after a successful launch in Amsterdam. The concept has evolved from the original pod hotels in Japan, now equipped with the latest technology for modern nomads to meet, sleep and explore the city like a local.