News

Educational kiosk part of 'resource efficiency' effort

Technology and services company Itron Inc., in partnership with DTE Energy, recently demonstrated a smart cities project in Detroit, Michigan at the Meeting of the Minds Conference

October 9, 2014

Technology and services company Itron Inc., in partnership with DTE Energy, recently demonstrated  a smart cities project in Detroit, Michigan at the Meeting of the Minds Conference, according to a press release.

The smart cities project showcased the companies' smart technology such as mobile apps, unmanned aerial vehicles, a smart electric vehicle charging kiosk, smart metering technology, an educational kiosk and more. The project was part of a larger effort to teach consumers energy conservation via smartphone apps and online. DTE added to this effort by installing an educational kiosk in the company's lobby to teach "resource efficiency" through interactive presentations.

The electric vehicle charging kiosks also contain metrology designed to draw in revenue and Wi-Fi technology that allows drivers to check parking status from their smartphones, the release said. 

"Smart technology is the foundation for smart cities, enabling people to use information and communications to enhance livability, workability and sustainability," said Russ Vanos, senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Itron, in the announcement. "Our collaboration with DTE Energy is a great example of how utilities can partner with technology companies like Itron to improve resource management and create smart, sustainable and economically-stable communities of the future."