Google’s Larry Page announced the launch of Sidewalk Labs on June 10. The project, which comes “as the world is continuing a massive urban shift,” aims to improve urban living through better pedestrian infrastructure, better public transport, more parks and green spaces, safer biking paths, shorter commutes and less pollution.
“We are at the beginning of a historic transformation in cities,” said Sidewalk Labs CEO Dan Doctoroff. “[C]oncerns about urban equity, costs, health and the environment are intensifying, unprecedented technological change is going to enable cities to be more efficient, responsive, flexible and resilient,” he said. Sidewalk hopes to use technology to supercharge existing efforts in areas such as housing, energy, transportation and government to solve real problems that city-dwellers face every day.
The Scout Cart team is particularly excited about Sidewalk because it promises to improve pedestrian infrastructure making walking a safer and more practical means of transportation and adding to the quality of city living.
(The press release is at www.sidewalkinc.com if you want to read more).