Credit: Sara Cheida/Itaipu Binacional
Technology-based companies will be able to test and validate solutions in a neighborhood of Foz do Iguaçu (PR).
The Vila A Inteligente Project launched, this Wednesday morning (7), the public notice to attract companies from all over Brazil to test their technologies in the first smart neighborhood in the country. The public notice, called Smart Vitrine, will last two years. The launch consists of a thematic series of five weekly programs, lasting two hours, and which is carried out online, in partnership with the Connected Smart Cities & Mobility platform.
About 100 representatives of technology-based companies participated in this first meeting. On behalf of the project's partner institutions, the launch was also attended by the Brazilian director general of Itaipu Binacional, General João Francisco Ferreira, the superintendent director of the Itaipu Technological Park (PTI), General Eduardo Garrido, the president of the Brazilian Agency of Industrial Development (ABDI), Igor Calvet, the president of Inmetro, Marcos Heleno Guerson, and the mayor of Foz do Iguaçu, Chico Brasileiro.
The Vila A Inteligente project consists of the use of a space called Sandbox, suitable for testing and validating new technologies, solving real problems and improving the quality of life of the population residing in the Itaipu A neighborhood, in Foz do Iguaçu. Through Municipal Decree 28,244, of 06/23/2020, it is possible to select companies with Smart Cities solutions to work on the project.
For General João Francisco Ferreira, the action is very welcome at a time when it is important to stimulate the economy. “This initiative will certainly encourage much needed entrepreneurship and innovation in today's competitive environment. And Itaipu is and will always remain committed to the objectives of this project,” he said.
The technological solutions that will be presented in the proposals must be framed in one of the following thematic axes: Environment; Technology and inovation; Safety; Economy; Finance or Entrepreneurship; Governance; Urbanism; Health; Education; Energy; Housing; Sport, Culture or Recreation; Telecommunications; Mobility and Accessibility; Agriculture; Sanitation; or Tourism.
According to Calvet, from ABDI, the definition of these thematic areas demonstrates the transversality of the project. “Smart cities is a transversal, multiple world, and technologies spill over into other areas,” he explained. “We have seen the difficulties that other municipalities face in attracting technology-based companies. Therefore, this project is innovative and should become an irradiation center for the whole of Brazil”, he added.
The mayor thanked the municipality for choosing to host the project and highlighted the importance of companies submitting proposals. “This public notice is a great milestone for us to show the world that it is possible to transform cities, providing a better, healthier, safer and more sustainable life”, he emphasized.
To participate in the public notice, it will be necessary to register the proposals, the eligibility analysis, the evaluation, the pre-selection, the installation of the solutions, the elaboration of the contract, the choice of the proposals, and the meeting with the registered companies.
“We are proud to be the first Sandbox neighborhood in Brazil for technology validation by Inmetro, our partner in this initiative”, highlighted General Garrido. “And the launch of this public notice is an important step towards transforming our city into a national reference in smart cities”, he said.
Colonel Marcos Heleno Guerson, president of Inmetro, highlighted the institution's role in the project, which is to assess compliance, verify what the requirements are and how they should be measured, and the accreditation of tested solutions. “It is a project in which the quality and accuracy of the sensors are fundamental. And Inmetro has this role to convey trust. And when we do this properly, we reduce the cost that companies would have to demonstrate the quality and reliability of their products”, he explained.
Registrations
To participate in the public notice, applications must be made by filling out the online form (https://hubiguassu.pti.org.br/), plus the link to your Pitch Deck and Pitch Video. Applications from technology-based companies and Brazilian startups that are incorporated in the National Registry of Legal Entities (CNPJ), head office of the Federal Revenue, that meet the conditions described in the notice will be accepted.
Proposals that contribute to fighting the covid-19 pandemic or improving the quality of life of People with Disabilities (PwD) will have priority in the selection. Doubts or questions regarding the public notice should be sent by email: vila.a.inteligente@pti.org.br.
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