The final nine innovative solutions to tackle local challenges have been announced, and will be presented at the upcoming Community Demo Day this Saturday.
Long Beach’s Technology and Innovation Department (TID) chose these solutions from the second cohort of the City’s Collaboratory program (LB Co-Lab). The program invited residents from throughout various neighborhoods as well as City staff; the participants then presented over 50 ideas to address three challenges:
- Secure commercial corridors
- City services accessibility
- Activating new public spaces
Residents will be able to learn about the nine proposed neighborhood technology solutions through interactive presentations, demonstrations and Q&A sessions and provide input on each. Input will be used to inform the selection of one project per challenge. The three chosen projects will each receive $75,000 in funding for a 12-month pilot program.
“We are committed to ensuring our residents have a central voice in addressing the local challenges that impact them,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “We encourage our community to join us this Nov. 15 to learn more about these incredible finalists and their proposed neighborhood solutions, provide direct feedback and contribute to a City that exemplifies community-driven innovation.”
The nine final solutions are as follows:
Secure Commercial Corridors
This challenge focuses on enhancing business and resident safety through activation and deterrence strategies and promoting visibility, vibrancy and increased foot traffic. Proposed solutions include:
- CITYROVER: Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered privacy-by-design cameras that automatically detect and report public right-of-way issues such as graffiti, dumping and hazards and enable faster responses and cleaner streets.
- Orion Labs: A multi-spectrum sensing system to enhance corridor safety by detecting incidents, monitoring activity and triggering smart lighting and alerts accessible to City staff and businesses.
- Placemaking U.S. Studio: Community-led public art, lighting and inclusive public spaces to enhance safety, deter vandalism and foster pride and engagement among residents and businesses.
City Services Accessibility
This challenge focuses on enabling residents and visitors, particularly those from vulnerable populations, to discover and access City services more effectively. Proposed solutions include:
- Embers and Oak Storyworks (Long Beach-based): Solar-powered support kits, digital storytelling kiosks and bilingual discovery portals to improve access, awareness and trust in City services.
- FUZE Technology, Inc: Self-service mobile charging stations that offer low-cost, on-demand power while doubling as digital displays to promote City programs and generate revenue.
- T-Mobile USA: Smartphones and tablets with year-long service, multilingual access tools and secure public kiosks to expand connectivity, service discovery and digital equity.
Activating New Public Spaces
This challenge focuses on encouraging property owners to manage their vacant or neglected land more effectively and involve residents in sparking positive change. Proposed solutions include:
- BeeSpace: Organic permaculture and community-maintained beehives to transform vacant lots into pollinator habitats, reduce decay, support biodiversity and foster voluntary engagement without enforcement.
- Devotion Fitness, Inc. (Long Beach-based): Mobile wellness hubs offering fitness, therapy, gardening and arts programming to support youth mental health, reduce damage and foster community healing and pride.
- Studio One Eleven (Long Beach-based): Flexible, scaffold-based spaces for art, commerce and community, inspiring future development by showcasing what’s possible through temporary, low-cost activations.
“The LB Co-Lab demonstrates how powerful it can be when residents, entrepreneurs, and City staff come together to co-create solutions,” said Lea Eriksen, TID Director, in a public statement. “By combining community insight with technology and innovation, we’re building a more connected, inclusive and resilient Long Beach.”
The program is part of the Long Beach Smart City Initiative, established in 2021 with guiding principles of equity, inclusion, resilience and community collaboration. The program is funded by the City’s Innovation Fund and a grant from the Long Beach Community Foundation’s Knight Foundation donor-advised fund.
To learn more about LB Co-Lab, visit the program webpage. The Smart City Initiative webpage provides additional information about the initiative, including guiding principles, pilot programs and ongoing projects. To stay informed about smart city efforts and community engagement opportunities, sign up for the City’s Smart City Initiative newsletter.
Community Demo Day will take place Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Pointe Conference Center at California State University, Long Beach (1250 N. Bellflower Blvd.).
Community members are encouraged to pre-register for Community Demo Day at lbcity.info/colab-demo or contact LB Co-Lab Program Manager Ryan Welch at Ryan.Welch@longbeach.gov or 562-470-7002. Interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.
