Adelaide named Australia’s first ‘Lighthouse City’ for innovation

South Australia’s credentials as a smart city have received a boost after tech giant Cisco declared Adelaide as the first smart and connected ‘Lighthouse City’ in Australia.

Lighthouse City status is a boon for the State that will allow access to Cisco’s huge global network, and see us primed to benefit from the economic and social transformation set to occur as the exciting next phase of the internet rapidly takes shape.

The announcement comes after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last year between the State Government, Adelaide City Council and Cisco to launch Australia’s first ‘Internet of Things’ Innovation Hub.

Under the Internet of Things (IoT), everyday devices that we regularly interact with – such as household appliances, watches and cars – will be capable of ‘talking’ to each other via the internet. For example, a programmed carpark on Grenfell Street can alert a smart phone of available parking spots.

Speaking from Cisco’s east headquarters in Bangalore, India, Science and Information Economy Minister Gail Gago said the State Government was thrilled to build its relationship with Cisco to grow South Australia’s information economy.

“I am delighted that Cisco has declared Adelaide as its first Lighthouse City in Australia – we now join other major cities including Barcelona, Chicago, Hamburg and Dubai as leading places to showcase IoT innovations,” Ms Gago said.

“Cisco chose Adelaide because of its strong and visionary leadership, innovation and our ability to embrace smart city technologies, particularly through our AdelaideFree WiFi network.

“Cisco has predicted that the ‘Internet of Everything’ (IoE) will generate an astounding $19 trillion globally over the next decade, including $4.6 trillion from the public sector, which will open the door to new jobs and industries.

“We aim to capitalise on these opportunities to grow a more efficient and sustainable city for all South Australians to enjoy.”

Cisco’s President, Smart+Connected Communities and Deputy Chief Globalization Officer, Dr Anil Menon said the Lighthouse City status for Adelaide will help make it one of the leading global examples of a smart and sustainable city.

“As a Cisco Lighthouse City, Adelaide will be one of the very few cities ready to develop and pilot new urban services and solutions to benefit the customer and citizen experience,” Dr Menon said.

“Adelaide will have access to Cisco’s infrastructure, as well as our network of partners and global ecosystem, and importantly, we will have capacity to bring new strategic business and technology partnerships to the city.”

Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the Internet of Things had the potential to not only make the city more efficient, but change the way visitors, workers and residents experience Adelaide.

“Previous collaborations like the free WiFi and council programs like Enterprise Adelaide have underwritten Cisco’s confidence in us and helped open the door to Lighthouse status.

“To show our practical commitment to the MoU and back Cisco’s confidence in us, Adelaide City Council has set aside $250,000 this year for two smart city trials that will focus on parking and lighting.

“Both projects will be about making the city safer, easier to get around and more welcoming for our visitors and residents alike, with the ultimate aim of being able to generate a return on investment for our ratepayers that can be put back into other services.”

Source: News Release, Government of South Australia, 30 January, 2015