FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–International Data Corporation (IDC) today published an IDC Innovators report profiling four providers that are considered key emerging vendors in the Smart City kiosks market. The four companies named as IDC Innovators are CIVIQ Smartscapes, Smart City Media, SmartLINK, and Soofa.

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Smart City kiosks are specifically designed units, most of which include (interactive) display panels for local information, Wi-Fi signaling, and emergency call services. Kiosks typically use advertising as a revenue model while providing the public with a variety of information and services. Smart City kiosks also use sensors and digital platforms to collect street-level data and engage local residents, businesses, and tourists throughout the city. IDC believes that Smart City kiosks are important civic engagement tools that enable cities to collect, analyze, and share information as well as offer services such as Wi-Fi and phone charging.

"As cities look for ways to provide ubiquitous public Wi-Fi, market local businesses, generate new revenue opportunities, and provide quick access to services and information for the public, Smart City kiosks are emerging as a one-stop shop for these services," said Ruthbea Yesner, vice president of IDC’s Government Insights and Smart Cities practice. "The fact that they offer ad-based revenue opportunities makes them an attractive option to extend urban services to the hyper-local level."

CIVIQ Smartscapes offers several smart kiosk solutions, each of which is designed to address urban needs ranging from improving city mobility and wayfinding to public Wi-Fi offerings, emergency alert systems, smart lighting, and environmental monitoring.

Smart City Media offers a platform for Internet and mobile applications, IoT sensors, and location-based media with the aim of engaging local residents, empowering small business owners, and helping tourists maximize their visits.

SmartLINK kiosks can provide events monitoring, security alerting, Wi-Fi, wayfinding, communications, environmental monitoring, and traffic study solutions that deliver usable data for the city along with several revenue generating options to fit the city’s needs.

Soofa uses a Web-based platform that allows locals to share information with each other and cities to communicate directly with residents about local events, emergencies, and other relevant information with no installation cost to the city.