Wind studies to combat climate change, driving style analysis to optimize public transportation, and smart, widespread, space-saving luggage storage facilities to facilitate tourism, as well as systems to make cities more accessible.

These are some of the innovations that Sardinian companies will be presenting – from November 3rd to 5th – at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. The international expo is a strategic opportunity that Sardegna Ricerche wanted to guarantee to eight startups ready to seize new opportunities and develop partnerships, thanks also to the synergies created with the Enterprise Europe Network, of which the regional agency is the local hub.

The winners of the voucher provided by Sardegna Ricerche were Baggy Lockers Srl, a travel tech company that provides self-service luggage storage in underutilized urban spaces. This way, empty spaces become a hub for tourists who, in addition to leaving their bags in a safe place, will find Wi-Fi, phone charging, and assistance. Vento CFD Srl, on the other hand, promotes sustainability and urban resilience. Specializing in wind engineering and computational fluid dynamics, it works to combat heat islands, improve ventilation in urban microclimates, and ensure pedestrian comfort and safety in the presence of strong wind gusts. The goal is to help cities make faster, more environmentally friendly, and data-driven planning decisions. GreenShare Srl is a company that aims to improve public transportation with AI, leveraging predictive algorithms and machine learning capable of integrating traffic data with historical, meteorological, and passenger counting data. Furthermore, a key application involves monitoring drivers' driving habits, using data analyzed in real time to assess travel flow and improve passenger safety and comfort. Hedra Studio is an architecture and innovation firm specializing in advanced design and Industry 4.0 construction. Their strengths lie in digital manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and immersive experiences capable of transforming data and ideas into concrete and interactive solutions. The company develops solutions for construction, smart cities, cultural heritage, and tourism, using digital tools to monitor, simulate, and enhance buildings, construction sites, and landscapes. Kode Srl is an AI solution provider that develops Artificial Intelligence and Data Science solutions for industry, logistics, and civil infrastructure monitoring. The company transforms complex data and processes into intelligent systems to analyze, predict, and optimize phenomena and operational decisions.

STAM Srl, on the other hand, develops digital solutions for the construction and infrastructure management sectors. The goal is to support companies in managing daily construction site activities through a single platform powered by artificial intelligence that integrates operational processes, documentation, and project progress monitoring. It's a sort of smart construction site where users can simply speak or write to report activities, issues, or delays, and the system transforms this information into structured, immediately usable project data. The Big Wave Srl works to make cities more accessible thanks to Fenicio®, a platform designed to make cities, cultural sites, and regions more accessible, intelligent, and connected. Through sensors, digital services, and analytics tools, Fenicio® allows public bodies and regional managers to better understand visitor flows, monitor certain environmental parameters, and offer personalized content and information directly to smartphones. Particular attention is paid to accessibility, with solutions also designed for the blind, visually impaired, deaf, and those with cognitive disabilities.

Finally, WiData Srl is an innovative SME specializing in urban monitoring and data analysis technologies. Their Xplore solution enables urban and regional planning through the analysis of data from sensors and integrated systems. This helps cities, public bodies, and service providers transform information into a single, integrated view of the territory. The platform collects and analyzes data on mobility, people, the environment, energy, and other urban phenomena, allowing them to monitor events, identify correlations, and support service planning and management.

"The innovations developed by these eight companies demonstrate Sardinia's ability to propose solutions, leveraging advanced technological expertise, to improve the lives of cities and their people. Through Sardegna Ricerche, we are supporting their participation in the Smart City Expo in Barcelona, fostering new relationships and development prospects for a business system that has the potential to compete in international markets," said Giuseppe Meloni, Vice President of the Region and Councilor for Planning and Budget.

"In an interconnected market, internationalization and networking are indispensable tools for growth and competitiveness. By participating in the Barcelona Expo, Sardegna Ricerche wanted to provide a strategic showcase for Sardinian companies. Furthermore, sharing the exhibition space with other institutional entities will help our delegation build new relationships and better position itself abroad," emphasized Carmen Atzori, general director of Sardegna Ricerche.

During the three days of work in Barcelona, Sardegna Ricerche and the eight companies of the regional collective will share the space at stand D175 in Pavilion 2, alongside those of the Lazio Region, the ICE Agency, the Municipality of Florence, the Municipality of Rome, the Piedmont Region, and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region. The aim is to create and strengthen relationships with businesses and institutional partners and consolidate the regional presence on the international stage.

(Unioneonline)

© Riproduzione riservata