Global Challenges

The modern city.

With all its humanity, technology and infrastructure

crammed into a small space, it can be overwhelming.

How do we navigate this ever-changing world

to make our cities better, simpler, smarter?

That's what Mouser and I wanted to find out.

To help us explore where humanity is heading

and the technologies driving us there

we've partnered with some like minds at Wired Brand Lab.

I'm stopping by their office to talk to Michael Copeland.

So, Michael, I'm interested in finding out how technology

can be used to transform the cities of the future.

But honestly, I don't know where to start.

What are the biggest issues facing the world today

that technology could help alleviate?

The fundamental things are like transportation,

how I eat, where's my food coming from,

and where do I live, so shelter.

Technology has taken on all those things,

but now where we have new technology

and we have new answers.

It starts with providing better information.

If you think of a city or the world as a big system,

how that system works.

And then we can make better decisions

on build here, or don't build here,

or here's what would happen if 10,000 more people

moved into this neighborhood, here are the implications

for all kinds of things.

I think I've got a list of issues

that I might be able to address.

But I think what will really help,

I have some companies you should meet.

And, it's gonna take you around the world,

and I mean that quite literally.

[Grant] So, I'm off, with the help of Mouser

and some of their leading suppliers

like Analog Devices, Intel,

Microchip Technologies, and Molex.

I'm traveling the world.

Exploring the ways people and companies

are using innovative technologies

and shaping smarter cities.

My first stop is Porto, Portugal

where I'll take a closer look at a company

looking to turn every vehicle on the road

into a roving wi-fi hotspot.