Smart Cities and mmWave Radar: Enhancing Urban Mobility and Safety

As cities grow denser and more interconnected, the demand for smarter and safer urban environments has never been greater. From traffic congestion to pedestrian safety, modern cities face challenges that require intelligent sensing technologies capable of operating reliably under all conditions. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar is emerging as a key enabler of smart city applications, offering robust solutions for real-time monitoring, traffic optimization, and enhanced safety.

The Role of mmWave Radar in Smart Cities

Traditional sensing technologies, such as cameras and lidar, face limitations in adverse weather, low-light conditions, or high-density urban settings. In contrast, mmWave radar provides high-resolution detection of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, unaffected by fog, rain, or poor lighting. This makes it an ideal candidate for critical infrastructure in smart cities.

Linpowave’s advanced radar systems combine compact hardware design with powerful edge-processing capabilities. With frequency bands such as 60 GHz for indoor monitoring and 76–81 GHz for automotive and traffic applications, these systems cover a wide spectrum of urban sensing needs.

Applications in Urban Mobility

1. Intelligent Traffic Management
   mmWave radar can monitor vehicle flow, detect congestion, and optimize traffic light control dynamically. Unlike traditional loop sensors or cameras, radar provides precise range, velocity, and angle measurements, enabling traffic systems to adapt in real time.

2. Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
   Ensuring safety at crosswalks and intersections is a major challenge for city planners. mmWave radar can detect pedestrian movement patterns and cyclist trajectories, allowing smart systems to predict potential conflicts and trigger early warnings.

3. Public Transport Efficiency
   Radar sensors integrated into buses and trams can assist in collision avoidance and docking operations. By improving safety and accuracy in public transit systems, cities can enhance passenger experience and reduce accidents.

4. Parking and Smart Infrastructure
   From automated parking assistance to smart toll collection, mmWave radar supports contactless detection and seamless mobility. Its accuracy in close-range detection ensures smooth integration into urban infrastructure.

Advantages Over Other Technologies

• All-weather capability: Operates in rain, fog, and darkness.

• Non-intrusive sensing: No privacy concerns compared to camera-based systems.

• Compact form factor: Easy deployment in roadside units, traffic lights, and smart poles.

• Edge AI integration: Supports real-time decision-making without relying solely on cloud connectivity.

Linpowave’s Contribution to Smart Cities

At Linpowave, we are committed to advancing radar technology for safer and smarter cities. Our radar boards, such as the V200 and V300 series, offer flexible integration into traffic monitoring systems, smart intersections, and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication platforms. With over 30 patents and partnerships with leading universities and enterprises, Linpowave continues to push the boundaries of radar innovation.

By combining compact radar hardware with advanced algorithms, we provide solutions that not only meet current urban challenges but also anticipate future mobility trends.

Conclusion

The transformation toward smart cities relies on technologies that can ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability. mmWave radar stands out as a future-proof solution for urban mobility, enabling intelligent traffic systems, enhancing pedestrian protection, and supporting efficient public transportation. As adoption increases, radar-based sensing will become a cornerstone of urban infrastructure, helping cities worldwide become safer and more sustainable.