Innovators invited to visualise smart cities

Moreover, such sensor-rich environments are developed through a complex supply chain of vendors, and better understanding of the way they work can help identify and mitigate potential risks around privacy and information security.

HMGCC is looking for software that can take open-source smart city data and display it as an immersive, interactive 3D map – layering in the locations and types of sensors and connected devices across an urban environment. It said approaches that use technologies like virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) are welcome, but it would also like to hear about novel methods.

Such sensor-rich environments are developed through a complex supply chain of vendors, and better understanding of the way they work can help identify and mitigate potential risks around privacy and information security

The call for proposals covers a range of technology themes: app development, business intelligence, communication systems, control software, cybersecurity, data science and engineering, digital services, digital twinning, geospatial science and technology, information technology, modelling and simulation, software development.

Grants up to £60,000 are available to cover time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses of successful applicants. This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes.

HMGCC Co-Creation will be hosting a two-stage competition process. The first phase, which closes 13 August 2026, will rapidly assess one-page proposals. Following a feedback phase, successful phase one applicants will be requested to submit a proposal for phase two with a deadline of 10 September 2026.

Find out more at Visualising Smart Cities.