Season 4:
Episode 6
Agora World
Imagine standing in the middle of a critical decision-making moment—one where the wrong move could cost millions or even put lives at risk. Now imagine that you don’t have the tools or resources to see the full picture, to understand the consequences of your options in real time. This is the reality for countless organizations today. From emergency response to urban planning, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet, many teams lack the means to visualize complex data and scenarios quickly enough to make informed choices... But there’s a new way forward. Listen to Mike Lake and Ethan Berg in the newest episode of Preview of Tomorrow to discuss Agora World's approach to digital twins.
Episode 5
Washbox
Picture this: Plaster, paint, and grout oozing down embankments, forming toxic sludge that drips into waterways, contaminating the water and seeping into the bodies of fish and other wildlife. It sounds like a horror scene, but believe it or not, this is a daily reality at countless construction sites around the world. Did you know that every year, an estimated 60 billion liters of polluted water, filled with chemicals and microplastics, is discharged from construction sites—affecting not just the environment but the food chain itself. In today's episode of Preview of Tomorrow, Mike Lake joins Andrew Crimston of Washbox Global to discuss Washbox's fully mobile tool cleaning system.
Episode 4
Gravity Water
Imagine waking up to a world where water is a luxury—where entire cities are parched, and communities are left to scramble for every drop. Unfortunately, this isn’t a far-off dystopia. By 2050, over half of the global population will be living in water-stressed areas, and saltwater intrusion is projected to contaminate vital groundwater sources, affecting up to 1.5 billion people. As climate disasters intensify, the systems we rely on for water are at risk of total failure. But amidst this crisis, Gravity Water is offering a beacon of hope. Meet the 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Solution of the Year in today's episode of Preview of Tomorrow.
Episode 3
Flash Weather AI
In a world where over 40% of urban flash floods strike with little to no warning, modern communities are constantly on edge, facing unpredictable threats that can disrupt lives and devastate economies. The lack of accurate, real-time weather prediction doesn’t just challenge urban areas—it’s a global issue. The agricultural sector, which feeds billions, suffers immensely from this unpredictability, losing an estimated 16% of global crop production each year simply due to unexpected weather events. And the problem is growing. With climate change intensifying weather patterns, the frequency and severity of such events are only set to increase, pushing our already strained systems to the brink. Listen to Mike Lake tackle this issue with Jason Deese of Flash Weather AI, and discover how FLASH is addressing these challenges head-on.
Episode 2
Flash Weather AI
Did you know that by 2050, climate-induced disasters could cost the global economy a staggering $2.5 trillion every single year? Yet, despite these looming threats, a significant gap remains in how organizations report on climate risks and both the public private sectors need to get this right to address these threats. While 72% of companies have developed climate action plans, less than 50% are effectively reporting on the financial resources required to implement these strategies. This gap in accurate reporting leaves businesses around the globe vulnerable to unanticipated risks and disasters. The need for a standardized, robust framework to assess, report, and mitigate these risks has never been more critical, ensuring that businesses are not only compliant but resilient in the face of growing climate challenges. Join Mike Lake as he talks with Chiara Rinaldi of Sustainaccount, who is addressing these challenges head-on.
Episode 1
SmartAcqua
Water. It’s the essence of life, flowing through every corner of our planet, sustaining all forms of life. However, an alarming 32 billion cubic meters of water are lost every year through leaks and inefficiencies in our water systems. This staggering waste not only translates to billions of dollars in economic losses but also exacerbates the global water crisis, leaving countless communities without access to clean, safe water. The harsh reality is that by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. But this problem isn't just about scarcity; it's about the vast inefficiencies that lead to lost water and missed opportunities for better resource management. Join host Mike Lake as he welcomes Hélio Samora of SmartAcqua to his Preview of Tomorrow.
Season 3:
Episode 18
WhereIsMyTransport
Did you know, for example, that 92% of the world's largest lower-middle-income cities don’t have mapped public transit routes? And with over two billion people within these cities relying entirely on public transport, we desperately require a solution that will empower those in emerging-market cities to safely, confidently, and more accurately navigate their streets.
Episode 17
Meazon
As the sun dips and the city’s streets are plunged into darkness, you can almost always count on the glow of street lights to provide a sense of safety until your final destination. Yet with over 230 million street lights around the world in use every single night, the total energy consumption certainly adds up. In fact, roughly 40% of a city’s total energy costs can be traced back to its street lights. For this reason, street lights have become the entry point for smart city technology adoption, and will continue to be the source of innovation for cities around the world.
Episode 16
Topolytics
Despite this massive number, less than 20 percent of the waste will be properly recycled. This is partially due to the complexity of the modern waste system, with material being moved locally, nationally and internationally with no true structure or transparency.
Episode 15
Tappy Technology
Did you know that more than half of all public buses in the world don’t have space for a single wheelchair? For those with disabilities, transportation can become a daunting task, as even a short distance to travel can present a myriad of obstacles to the destination
Episode 14
ZipCharge
A recent study found that 89% of people would be encouraged to purchase an electric vehicle if they could access a parking space with a charger. However, as of right now, public charging in many cities is unreliable and inconvenient, and is in desperate need of transformation.
Episode 13
Plumis
In 2021 alone, housefires and wildfires accounted for 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. We are in desperate need of technology that can more accurately identify and extinguish fires before it is too late
Episode 12
Edge Vision
In 2019 alone, 3.5 billion gallons of fuel were wasted due to traffic congestion in the US, leading to more than 36 million tons of excess greenhouse gasses. We now must ask ourselves how existing road infrastructure can be more efficiently used to avoid traffic congestion.
Episode 11
Smart & Sustainable Built Environment
The concept of urban forestry has become increasingly paramount, in fact, just one mature tree can sequester 22 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Today we present a solution to support the built greenery of our cities.
Episode 10
Automedi
Did you know that upwards of 75% of the emissions associated with plastic waste don’t even come from plastic at all? Today we met a circularity-as-a-solution platform that effectively transforms plastic waste into new products without long-distance supply chains or high-energy manufacturing.
Episode 9
Gebirah/ Help App
In the chaos of wartime, much of the world is left disconnected from the crisis, unsure of what is needed or how they can help. Today we will explore a mobile application developed in the wake of the Ukrainian refugee crisis to provide visibility, transportation and immediate relief.
Episode 8
Bindi Maps
Current wayfinding methods are mostly static and not accessible to people who are blind or have low vision - something that is becoming more and more important to the owners and managers of buildings.
Episode 7
RunWithIt Synthetics
Human-induced climate change has spurred a sequence of widespread adverse weather patterns and our world’s cities get pummeled with increasingly violent disasters. How can we invest in infrastructure better equipped to handle such events?
Episode 6
GreenerGuide
In a recent poll 48% admit that they could be making more of an effort to do so. Enter Greenerguide, a solution that solves these issues by mapping out user’s energy consumption to plan a more sustainable lifestyle.
Episode 5
Carbon Limit
As the key building material of most tower blocks, car parks, bridges and dams, concrete has enabled great advancements in our citys’ infrastructure throughout the years. It’s the most widely used man-made material in existence, but it comes with a heavy price. Did you know that for every 1 ton of cement created, an equivalent 1 ton of carbon dioxide is produced? In fact, the cement industry has been so busy that, if it were a country, it would be the third largest emitter in the world, only behind China and the US. But recently, a new technology has been developed that has the ability to backtrack the immense carbon footprint of cement.
Episode 4
Stormseal
Severe weather patterns and climate-related disasters have jumped 83% since the year 2000, causing an estimated 3 trillion dollars in damage. And while homeowners with insurance are eventually able to repair these damages, in the time it takes to finalize a claim, the average temporary tarp malfunctions anywhere from 5 to 13 times. This begs the question that, if another disaster strikes, how in the world will the average tarp protect a home from further damage?
Episode 3
SAVRpak
1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted every single year. This translates into about 2.6 Trillion dollars that are lost yearly, simply due to irresponsible food consumption. This, however, isn’t just a money problem; as 8% of the world’s greenhouse gasses are a direct result of food waste. How can we end this trend?
Episode 2
SiembraCo
With 10 years left to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #1, No Poverty, more than 730 million people remain below the global poverty line. And of this astounding number, over two-thirds of them work in agriculture. Is this a coincidence or an injustice? How can we solve it?
Episode 1
Cocoon Technologies
The consequences of traffic stops. A New York Times investigation in 2021 examined why traffic stops for minor offenses sometimes escalate into deadly encounters. Policing is risky for all parties involved, let's make it safer.