Sacramento asks its innovators to respond to Covid-19

Source: Smart Cities World Published: May 4, 2020

The city of Sacramento has developed an online portal to collect innovative ideas from companies proposing to donate or sell products or services in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the site went live, the city reports it has taken eight submissions so far, including one from a company that would use artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct human resources tasks and another that would use robots to deliver food.

One-stop shop

“We are soliciting the best ideas for how we as a city can use technology and innovation to meet the challenges created by this pandemic,” said Darrell Steinberg, mayor of Sacramento. “This creates a one-stop shop where you can be certain that all your great proposals will receive consideration.”

Once ideas are in the portal, they will be vetted by city staff and innovation partners around the city, including the mayor’s Innovation Council and the Carlsen Entrepreneurship Centre.