Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has announced field trials with AT&T for connected water solutions in Atlanta. The trials will enable the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, an organisation dedicated to protecting water in the Chattahoochee River Basin, to remotely monitor the quality of the city’s water at key watershed locations.
The connected water field trials will utilise a design prototype based on the winning idea from a recent Ericsson-sponsored Technology for Good innovation challenge with university students.
AT&T will provide all wireless connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Established in 1994, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is an environmental advocacy organisation with more than 7 000 members dedicated solely to protecting and restoring the Chattahoochee River Basin — drinking water source for nearly 4-million people.
The organisation’s Jason Ulseth comments: “Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is thrilled to work with both Ericsson and AT&T in this exciting project. This project will result in cleaner water supplies and a more sustainable future for metro Atlanta and beyond.”
The trials are an example of the Internet of Things, where anything that benefits from being connected, will be connected. IoT is a rapidly growing segment and, according to the Ericsson Mobility Report, there will be 28-billion connected devices by 2021.
The first prototype has been placed into the City of Atlanta watershed in Proctor Creek. More than 60 000 residents live along Proctor Creek as it flows through residential developments, industrial complexes, city parks, and alongside public schools.
Mike Zeto, GM: smart cities at AT&T, says: “Connectivity is driving cities to rethink how they use technology to benefit their residents. AT&T is excited to be a part of these first field trials and we look forward to providing the connectivity to enable cities to become smarter and more sustainable.”
Elaine Weidman-Grunewald, vice-president: sustainability and corporate responsibility at Ericsson, says: “This project demonstrates how Ericsson’s Technology for Good program enables smart sustainable cities across the globe. Wirelessly connecting a city to its drinking water allows for even more creative ways that cities can focus on sustainable development.”
