Minimizing Commute Time Impact

🚀 Accelerating Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence: Transforming Integrated Operation Centres with Digital Twins As the Technical Director of the EU Local Digital Twin EU LDT Toolbox - Empowering Smart Cities Initiative under the European Commission, I am thrilled to share how Digital Twins are reshaping integrated operation centres, driving urban management into a new era of intelligence and efficiency. 🌍✨ Digital Twins are a convergence of groundbreaking technologies: ✅ 5G Advanced & IoVT: Real-time data collection from connected devices and video sensors. ✅ Data Spaces: Seamless integration of utilities, socio-economic stats, and human dynamics for actionable insights. ✅ AI/ML & GenAI: From event detection and predictive analysis to user-friendly reports that make data accessible to all. ✅ Geospatial Technologies: AR/VR, 3D mapping, and GeoAI enabling immersive, actionable insights. ✅ Advanced User Interfaces: Bridging technology with usability through the Citiverse. 💡 Real-World Impact: These technologies are not just concepts—they are actively transforming urban centers, we are presenting a real example in Shenzhen, China by Huawei; which is addressing: 🌳 Enhancing sustainability with smarter green coverage and air quality monitoring. 📊 Improving economic operations by integrating socio-economic data to optimize investments and retail strategies. 🎥 Boosting safety and efficiency through IoVT and real-time event detection, such as traffic violations or public safety hazards. 🛠 Driving job creation by turning AI-detected events into actionable interventions, fostering local employment. The future is here, and it’s intelligent, sustainable, and immersive. By leveraging Digital Twins, we are creating smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities. Let’s connect to explore how we can drive the digital transformation of urban spaces together! 💬 #DigitalTwins #SmartCities #IndustrialDigitalization #UrbanInnovation #TechForGood #DataSpaces #AIForCities #Libelium

1. HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Powertrain: Uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Battery: Small battery charged through regenerative braking and the gasoline engine. Fuel Source: Gasoline-only (battery assists but does not provide independent propulsion). Charging: Cannot be plugged in; relies on the engine and regenerative braking for recharging. Operation: Runs primarily on the gasoline engine. The electric motor assists in improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. At low speeds or short distances, it may run purely on the electric motor, but not for long. ✅ Example Models: Toyota Prius (HEV), Honda Accord Hybrid. 2. PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Powertrain: Uses both a gasoline engine and a larger electric motor than HEVs. Battery: Larger battery than HEVs, allowing for independent electric-only driving. Fuel Source: Uses both gasoline and electricity. Can run on electricity first and switch to gas when the battery depletes. Charging: Can be plugged in to a home charger or public charging station. Also charges through regenerative braking. Operation: Can drive short distances (typically 20-50 miles) on electric power alone. After battery depletion, the gasoline engine takes over to extend the range. ✅ Example Models: Toyota Prius Prime (PHEV), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. 3. BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) Powertrain: Fully electric; only uses an electric motor for propulsion. Battery: Large battery pack providing all necessary energy. Fuel Source: 100% electricity (No gasoline engine present). Charging: Must be plugged in to a charger (home, public station, or fast charger). Uses regenerative braking but cannot self-charge like hybrids. Operation: Runs entirely on electricity, producing zero emissions. Range depends on battery capacity (varies from 150 to over 400 miles per charge). ✅ Example Models: Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt.

Hands up if you love your commute, arriving at work energized, fresh and ready to go? Behold that sea of hands! 😂 A famous study by Danny Kahneman and colleagues found that people rated commuting as the most unpleasant aspect of their day, above work itself. The traffic, the cost, and the wasted time all take their toll. Lengthy commutes have been linked to poor physical and mental health outcomes such as hypertension, obesity, decreased cardiovascular fitness, stress, and illness-related work absence. But if you can use your commuting time productively, it reduces these costs. Here are 3 science-based ideas for improving your commute. 👉 Preparing for your work-day on the morning commute reduces the negative effects of a long commute. In one study, 400+ daily commuters were divided into three groups. The first group received a text each morning encouraging them to plan for their upcoming day. The second received a text with a positive daily message while the third received no text at all. Those who spent part of their commute thinking about their work day showed significantly less stress from their commute and also showed a small increase in rated job satisfaction. 👉 Use the time as an opportunity to pursue activities you enjoy, especially those that require sustained attention. In a car, your options are limited because driving is demanding, requiring concentration, visual focus, and control of the vehicle. But walking, running, or cycling provide a great option to exercise while reducing stress levels for some people. And public transportation provides much greater autonomy to engage in active pursuits such as learning a new language, doing a sudoku, or playing video games, free from the multi-tasking needed to drive a car. 👉 And don’t forget to disengage on the commute home. People who feel more detached from their work during off-hours are more satisfied with the lives, experience less emotional exhaustion and sleep better. They are also more content and cheerful when they experience greater detachment from work in the evening. Although the daily commute can be a draining experience, it doesn’t have to be. The commute delineates boundaries between home- and work-life and can be used to switch one off and transition to the other. In addition, commuting time can be put to productive use by engaging in activities you enjoy and find valuable. How do you enhance your commute? Do you have tips or activities that turn travel time into “me time”?

I often think about how cities—like living organisms—must sense, interpret, and act in real time to stay healthy and functional. That’s exactly where the concept of City Digital Twins becomes essential. As a technologist, I see them not just as a tech layer, but as an intelligent infrastructure that blends data, algorithms, and operational insights. On one side, we have the technology stack: IoT, Cloud, 5G, AI, Big Data, and immersive tools like AR/VR. These enable us to collect, compute, and visualize vast streams of urban data. But technology alone is not enough. The real challenge lies in bridging that digital intelligence with the operational side of cities—executive management, urban planning, public services, and economic activities. This means moving from being data-rich to truly aware, able to respond, and to predict meaningful outcomes. Only then can we support sustainable decisions, optimize resources, and improve life for citizens. It’s a reminder that digital transformation is not just a technical shift—it’s a structural one. We need open collaboration between engineers, decision-makers, planners, and communities. The digital twin is not an end in itself—it’s a dynamic interface between what cities are and what they can become. #SmartCities #DigitalTwins #UrbanInnovation #AI #CityPlanning

Are our cities designed to withstand the next major disaster, or are they destined to crumble under pressure? The future of urban living demands a proactive approach: building smart cities for disaster resilience. A smart city isn't just about connectivity; it's about intelligence embedded into every layer of infrastructure to safeguard lives and livelihoods. The UNDRR (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) highlights how critical technology and strategic planning are to making urban centers robust against growing threats. Key elements of a disaster-resilient smart city: Intelligent Infrastructure: Self-healing power grids, adaptive traffic management systems for swift evacuations, and sensor networks that monitor environmental changes. Data-Driven Preparedness: Utilizing IoT sensors, AI analytics, and integrated data platforms to predict potential hazards and inform real-time interventions. Connected Communities: Ensuring seamless communication networks—even during outages and empowering citizens with accessible, accurate information through mobile apps and digital alerts. Sustainable Design: Integrating green infrastructure, flood-resistant urban planning, and climate-adaptive building codes to reduce physical vulnerabilities. For example, cities in Australia are exploring smart sensor networks to manage water resources and predict flood risks. At the same time, systems in Pakistan could greatly benefit from integrated early warning systems to manage the impact of intense monsoon seasons. Building smart cities isn't just an upgrade; it's an imperative. It’s about transforming urban landscapes into fortresses of resilience, ready to face tomorrow’s challenges. Is your city investing in smart resilience? Discover how technology can build safer, stronger urban communities.

I met with a CHRO last week who had just laid off 200 people. Then they proceeded to post 75 new openings. When I asked why they didn't redeploy internally, she stared at me blankly. 😳 This crazy disconnect happens more often than you'd think. As organizations face unprecedented workforce shifts in 2025, internal mobility is becoming an existential necessity. The companies that thrive through these transitions aren't treating layoffs and hiring as separate processes. They're viewing their workforce as a dynamic portfolio of skills that can be realigned as needs evolve. Before any role was is eliminated, map skill adjacencies to identify where impacted employees could move internally. Then create rapid upskilling paths to bridge capability gaps. When employees see colleagues redeployed rather than discarded, it fundamentally changes how they view their relationship with the organization. #InternalMobility #WorkforceTransformation #TalentRedeployment #EmployerBrand

"Big electric SUVs and trucks make no sense" I beg to disagree. And here's why. Watching a few days ago the drag race that Jason Cammisa and Hagerty put together, I was blown away by what the Lucid Gravity and the Rivian R1T quad-motor were capable of delivering. These cars destroyed something like the Audi RSQ8 and were head to head with the Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid on the 0-60 and the quarter mile. And we're talking respectively about a three-row SUV and a pick-up truck. So I started going down the rabbit hole on what the US market offers in this segment. I spent most of my life in Italy, where roads are narrow, parking is scarce, and medieval city centers were not designed for vehicles at all, let alone pick up trucks. When I moved to the US, I could not wrap my head around why someone would drive a pickup truck to grab groceries. And honestly? Sometimes I still struggle with it. But this perspective misses one key fact: markets are different. And preferences don't lie. In the US, pickups and SUVs dominate the market. They are not a niche; they are the mainstream. And it's all about practicality, towing and off-road capabilities and being able to carry heavy and bulky loads. When you're not constrained by space and fuel costs, why would you consider something smaller and less practical? The first reaction of many Europeans when they see electric trucks like the Silverado EV or full-size SUVs like the Escalade IQ usually is: "These giant batteries on wheels make no sense." But I think they do in the market they were born for. Not because they are small, light, or built for efficiency in the European sense. But because they directly replace gas-guzzlers in a segment where buyers expect space, utility, and comfort. The Cadillac Escalade IQ consumes about 65% less energy per mile compared to the gas-powered 6.2L V8 Escalade, which averages just 14 MPG. That is a staggering improvement in efficiency within its own segment. Or the Ford F‑150 Lightning: averaging 2.0–2.4 mi/kWh, translating to 65–70 MPG equivalent. Compared to the gas F‑150's average 20 MPG, this is a dramatic step forward for America's best-selling vehicle. And, with all this efficiency, these electric alternatives are still able to bring real capability. Like the 400+ miles of range and 10,000+ lbs towing of the Chevy Silverado EV. Or the Escalade IQ that beats the V8 supercharged on power, towing and even range(!) These vehicles exist because the US market demands them. Small EVs like the Fiat 500e or Renault 5 fit European cities perfectly, but would never be daily drivers for most American families. Electric pickups and SUVs are not about changing habits overnight. They are about giving buyers options that reduce emissions and experience EV performance without asking them to abandon what they value. Do you think electric SUVs and trucks are helping EV adoption? Or do you simply think I'm getting too Americanized? 🇺🇸😅

US #cities are at a crossroads, grappling with decaying #infrastructure, climate disaster, unhoused populations, and traffic gridlock. Tight budgets and growing complexities are leaving government officials scratching their heads. Enter Artificial Intelligence (#AI). And it's potential as a tool to help us address the three main categories of city challenges: 1. Streamlining city services: AI-driven chatbots and virtual agents can improve interactions with city services, cutting through red tape for the public while freeing city workers from mundane tasks. By employing natural language processing (#NLP) and other AI approaches, we can realistically make slow city service issues a thing of the past. 2. Optimizing failing infrastructure: AI can act as a vigilant guardian for our crumbling #urban #infrastructure using sensor data and computer vision tools. Early detection algorithms can identify signs of impending failure, facilitating preventative maintenance to avert minor glitches from cascading into major disruptions. 3. Responding to disasters: With natural and climate disasters on the rise, AI can facilitate real-time data exchange among emergency crews, public health agencies, and support locations. Computer #models precisely forecast #disaster impacts and generate real-time adaptive #emergency plans to address those disasters, while chatbots disseminate critical information to residents. AI has vast potential to enhance city #operations, #data insights, and #civic services. However, it must be thoughtfully applied AI; shaped by #diverse voices and human oversight, earning public trust and truly transforming our communities. I explore 20 city use cases and AI tools that can be applied, based on actual RFQs that have come out in various US cities over the last few years. It's a treasure trove for founders and a user guide for city officials trying to figure out a way to keep their residents thriving in their cities... https://lnkd.in/g_dcfiwJ

Your commute doesn't have to steal your day Every morning, millions begin the same journey - getting to work. What if this daily ritual could somehow add to your day instead of taking away from it? Utopian, I know, but isn't it worth considering? Though I don't have a daily commute anymore, I've watched others make a few simple shifts that have transformed how they start and end each workday: 1] PREP BEATS PANIC The night before is when tomorrow's panic gets calmed. Choosing your clothes, packing your bag, prepping breakfast - these small acts can turn a frantic morning into a calm period. Most love to wing it, but a little preparation can help you actually enjoy that morning rush. 2] BACKUP BEATS BREAKDOWN Whether you're driving or bring driven, the commute has challenges, especially in Bangalore! Knowing an alternate route, keeping a good podcast ready, being hydrated, maybe having a snack in your bag- these backup ideas can save you from breakdown. When delays and frustrations happen (and they will!), you're ready instead of reactive. 3] CHOICE BEATS COMPLAINT Those in-between moments - stuck in traffic, waiting for the cab - are either intentional choices or helpless inconveniences. You decide! You can get angry by what you can't control, or you can choose to make it somehow work for you. The secret is deciding that this time belongs to you, not to your frustration. 4] ARRIVAL BEATS RUSH How you show up sets your entire day's tone. Gliding to your desk with composure beats dashing in like a speeding train. Taking a moment to breathe before starting your day can shift everything. 5] REFLECTION BEATS REACTION The journey home is your transition back to life outside work. Use it intentionally - call a friend, sit in quiet reflection, or just think about what made this day worthwhile. This isn't dead time, but a time to feel alive. You can let commuting happen to you, or you can make it work for you folks. How can your commute add to your day instead of taking away from it? Do tell ! #coachshyam

Smart cities: Essential elements for success In today's dynamic environment, we see technology all around us. This is especially true when it comes to smart cities. Smart cities use a variety of software, user interfaces, and communication networks alongside IoT to deliver connected solutions for the public that are citizen centric. What else is required for a city to become smart and function smoothly? Apart from fundamental components like people, commerce, and traditional urban infrastructure, four critical elements must be present for thriving smart cities: Extensive wireless connectivity: Smart cities are built on being able to share data between a vast array of interconnected devices. This would be rendered useless without a reliable wireless network. Open data: A key feature of a smart city is that all participants share information so that informed decisions can be made in real time which requires easy accessibility and availability of data. Security you can trust: With a wide array of devices in use and data being easily available, the threat of a cyberattack becomes very real. Thus, a smart city must have a reliable and trustworthy security system in place to protect the data and infrastructure from potential cyber-attacks. Flexible monetization: In the age of IoT and smart cities, data is key. For smart cities to thrive, we need to establish sustainable commercial operations that ensure all within the ecosystem are rewarded. A smart city must offer a monetization model that enables businesses to profit from the data generated while also ensuring that the city’s residents benefit from the services offered. Citizen centricity: citizen should be at the center of smart cities design. citizen/visitors journey should be very well crafted to around citizen and not technologies; as well around quality of live and not control. As we continue to innovate and develop smart cities, let's keep these elements in mind to ensure we build cities that benefit and prioritize the needs of their citizens. #SmartCities #Technology #Innovation #iot