Cities Are Getting Smarter

The Internet of Things has been a huge topic of discussion this year as tech companies find new ways to connect people with their electronics. Wearable devices, integrated automobile systems and even "smart" appliances have made their way to the market this year as automation takes over as one of the biggest trends of 2015. Now, big names like

and

are turning their focus to larger arenas in a race to create cities that boast everything from public transportation systems that are able to communicate with each other and provide travelers with the most efficient route at the moment they wish to travel to real-time pollution statistics.

IBM recently

with chip maker

to offer an Internet of Things "starter pack". The kit allows anyone from a home owner to a city planner to use the components to take readings of a certain environment and record data for any objects attached to the device. While IBM says the possibilities for use are endless, one example scenario the company gave was controlling a smart lighting system using a network of internet-connected bulbs.

Cisco is another major player in the "smart city" sector; the company has already

with several major cities around the globe, including Barcelona and Hamburg, to provide automated solutions that monitor and connect important city functions. In Maryland, Cisco created a housing complex that is able to detect problems like water leaks and fires and send that data to the appropriate officials to avoid serious damage or even life-threatening disasters. The company says it hopes to expand that technology to more areas in the years to come.