Launch of Smart Metropolis FIWARE iHub in Smart Cities

The Institute Metrópole Digital (IMD) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) has launched the iHub, an innovative program aimed at developing smart solutions for municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte. The iHub, a result of a partnership with the FIWARE Foundation, operates within IMD and aims to offer specialized services to municipalities and companies in the field of Smart Cities. Additionally, the iHub focuses on data analysis and decision-making support for public policies. UFRN thus becomes the first university in Brazil to have a FIWARE iHub.

Smart Cities utilize advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for citizens, increase the efficiency of urban services, and promote sustainable development. The solutions offered by the iHub range from traffic management and public transportation to monitoring public safety, education, and healthcare, enabling informed decisions based on real-time data. According to Professor Frederico Lopes from IMD, “this initiative represents a significant advancement in the implementation of innovative tools in municipalities.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to develop technologies that can be applied in real life. Many cities have technologies, but they are not Smart Cities because integration is missing. Today, municipalities operate with information silos, where health data does not connect with education, for example. With the iHub, it will be possible to establish these connections, such as linking student absenteeism with disease outbreaks,” explains Professor Frederico Lopes.

The Fiware Foundation is an international organization that promotes the development of open-source technologies focused on Smart Cities. The Fiware platform facilitates interoperability between different systems and applications, making the implementation of technologies like big data analysis and artificial intelligence more accessible and efficient. “We already offer courses on the Fiware platform in our undergraduate and master’s programs in Information Technology. Additionally, we will offer training for municipalities and technology companies, spreading the concept of Smart Cities and creating new market opportunities,” says Frederico Lopes.

The iHub is also integrated with Smart Metropolis, a laboratory at IMD specializing in Smart Cities. With the support of the Metrópole Digital Technology Park, the iHub is located in room B424 of the IMD and serves as a connection point between professors, undergraduate, and postgraduate students at UFRN, providing a collaborative environment for technological innovation.