Today, UGBA193i students experienced yet again how open innovation and the idea of smart cities work together in emerging economies, such as India. This morning, students listened to our financial sponsor. Tyco presented their ideals and successes at AIMA’s office. We continued our morning to a visit at Airtel’s head office.
A Tyco representative introduced the three different models that Tyco operates under: fire protection, electricity industries, and safety protection. Tyco’s insight about the firm provided the Haas group with a clearer understanding of the firm’s various businesses within each industry.
The students later headed to Airtel after a quick lunch. Airtel prepared a very elaborate presentation about smart cities in India and compared it to Airtel’s current smart city offerings. At Airtel, Professor Darwin along with his students were able to create a positive dialogue about what Airtel can bring to the table. Students listened and responded as they spoke about various initiatives Airtel plans on implementing in the areas of transportation, safety, attendance, and healthcare. I also realized that in order to build a smarter city, collaboration must be emphasized. The need for collaboration is essential in moving forward and establishing progress; Airtel and Tyco both collaborate and competes with other industry players. Partnerships are a key element of their business model; an integral component of the concept of smart cities and leveraging open innovation.
After some last questions, the team headed to dinner to discuss frameworks for our respective cities. The working dinner we had was extremely helpful to digest everything we have learned thus far. By paring up each team with an executive from Tyco, we were able to collaborate, and really pick each other’s brains and overall ideology of what makes a city smart. Overall, value was created. As the definition of a nation will foreseeably evolve in the near future. This is the new era of smart cities!
By Isabelle Lee