Former Bloomberg CEO Dan Doctoroff is heading Google’s new venture, Sidewalk Labs. It claims that it will “improve issues such as the cost of living, energy use, and transportation” in American cities. How? By developing new tech products, platforms and partnerships.
Tech rivals IBM and Cisco are already working with cities on infrastructure, but Doctoroff says they’re taking a “top-down approach and seek to embed themselves in a city’s infrastructure.” Sidewalk Labs will “develop technology platforms that people can plug into.” He cited the bike-sharing program in New York as an example. Google CEO Larry Page is excited about having Doctoroff on board. Page said: “Every time I talk with Dan I feel an amazing sense of opportunity because of his passion for all the ways technology can help transform cities to be more livable, flexible and vibrant.”
