In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Shakesheff, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Open University in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. He shares his vision for Milton Keynes as a testbed for innovation, discussing how the city is leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic collaborations to address urban challenges like intelligent mobility, AI, and energy efficiency.

From autonomous transportation to AI-driven solutions, this episode dives into the city's pioneering projects and the collaborative efforts that position Milton Keynes as a leader in Smart City development.

Want to know more about the Smart City initiatives in Milton Keynes? Visit our BABLE Knowledge Hub and read all about the different Use Cases implemented in the city:

StreetCAV: street-side connectivity enables autonomy

DronePort: MK - opening the skies above Milton Keynes

Digital health solutions facilitating independent living at home

Robotic embodiment: universal remote control for city robots using virtual reality

Overview of the episode:

[00:01:32] Teaser Question: "If you could have any superpower to help with your research, what would it be and why?"

[00:02:35] Our guest's background

[00:04:42] The role of Milton Keynes in innovation

[00:06:49] The Open University’s contributions to Milton Keynes' growth and innovation

[00:10:11] Collaborative projects in Milton Keynes, including intelligent mobility and energy efficiency

[00:12:44] Tackling societal challenges like online safety through collaboration

[00:13:16] The Open Societal Challenges program and its impact

[00:14:47] New ideas and innovations arising from community challenges

[00:16:41] Facilitating partnerships between the Open University and businesses

[00:18:22] Balancing the university’s educational mission with innovation

[00:20:13] Key factors in accelerating innovation, particularly in smart cities

[00:21:53] Hot Take of the Day Segment: "Milton Keynes should become the first city in the world to go fully autonomous in terms of transportation."

[00:23:56] Ending Question: "To you, what is a Smart City?"

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And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub!