As technology and urban planning converge, the Curiosity Lab is pioneering a new era of smart cities, where innovation and disruption know no bounds. Located in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, this 5G-powered living laboratory is a cutting-edge testing ground for companies of all sizes to push the boundaries of what’s possible, and shape the future of industries.
The Idea Behind Curiosity Lab
It was after the 2018 revitalization of Technology Park, the state of Georgia’s first technology-themed office park, that Curiosity Lab began to take shape. Brandon Branham, a seasoned city government professional serving as CTO and Assistant City Manager at the City of Peachtree Corners, recognized the opportunity to fill an untapped gap between controlled test environments and large-scale deployments. The insight reignited the idea of Curiosity Lab—a smart city ecosystem designed to provide a unique testing ground for companies of all sizes to trial, demonstrate, and refine innovative technologies.
Curiosity Lab’s Position in the Industry
Today, Curiosity Lab is one of the leading smart cities in the United States. With its 5G living laboratory, companies can deploy and prove developing technologies in a real-world testing environment with no roadblocks. The lab features a three-mile autonomous vehicle test lane, an Innovation Center, and an incubator with various resources to support startups.
5G-Enabled Mobility Technologies
Branham envisions 5G-enabled vehicles transforming transportation and urban planning by enabling advanced technologies such as C-V2X communication, LiDAR sensors, and object detection cameras to improve safety and efficiency. Curiosity Lab has partnered with T-Mobile to provide a full 5G environment for testing and validation. T-Mobile is a founding partner at Curiosity Lab.
Designing a Smart City Living Lab
When designing the lab, Branham’s team conducted in-depth research across various smart city testing areas, ensuring that the environment is not limited to transportation technologies. For example, it enables testing across mobility, smart building, drone, agriculture, sensors, and more. The lab is designed to be a facilitator for technology development, testing, and validation, offering resources such as testing environments and scenarios, connections with industry leaders, and an incubator.
Lessons Learned
Branham notes that technology is constantly evolving quickly, requiring Curiosity Lab to stay on top of the latest innovations and adjust its testing environment accordingly. The lab has learned valuable lessons about what resources startups need to succeed and what it needs to add to its testing environment.
Evolution and Impact
Since its establishment in 2019, Curiosity Lab has grown rapidly, welcoming over 138 companies to its ecosystem. The lab has deployed world-first technologies such as C-V2X solutions, teleoperated e-scooters, and autonomous underground delivery systems. These innovations have improved traffic infrastructure and quality of life for residents and visitors.
Staying Up-to-Date
By taking a proactive approach, Branham’s team is able to remain ahead of the curve and consistently innovate in their industry. Attending conferences allows them to stay informed about the latest technologies and industry best practices. By forming partnerships with emerging smart cities and incubators, they can work together on new projects and keep up with upcoming trends.
Sharing knowledge with other innovators enables them to exchange ideas and insights that can propel their own innovation efforts. Ultimately, Branham’s team’s dedication to staying current on industry trends guarantees that they stay at the forefront of their field.
Approach to Innovation
Branham believes that being open-minded is crucial for fostering innovation because it allows for the exploration of new ideas and approaches. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and a positive attitude in order to create an environment that encourages creativity and problem-solving.
Curiosity Lab sets itself apart by offering a unique value proposition, including a live 5G wireless setting that allows for real-time testing (testing is free) and development, quick deployment schedules to expedite the innovation process, a commitment to safeguarding confidential information, and NIST certification to ensure the highest standards of security and reliability. This combination of cutting-edge technology and a supportive, secure environment makes Curiosity Lab an ideal location for companies and individuals looking to push the boundaries of innovation.
Future Vision
In the future, Curiosity Lab aims to grow its infrastructure to meet increasing demand. Branham encourages future leaders to persevere and make use of the resources around them. He stresses the significance of staying open-minded and seeking guidance from other innovators. Moving forward, Curiosity Lab is planning to enhance its infrastructure to meet the rising demand. Branham urges aspiring leaders to persist and utilize the resources at their disposal. He highlights the importance of being open-minded and seeking advice from fellow innovators.
Brandon Branham, Executive Director at Curiosity Lab
Our 5G connected city street of the future includes a 3-mile dedicated lane for advanced and autonomous vehicle testing, an array of sensors and cameras, smart city infrastructure, and the latest in C-V2X technology.
