Automaker Infiniti teams up with Hong Kong incubator Nest to promote 'smart cities'

Infiniti Motor has teamed up with Hong Kong-headquartered business incubator Nest in an accelerator programme for technology start-ups focused on urban development.

"Here in Hong Kong and throughout the region, urban communities are developing at an unrivalled pace. As a consequence, we are already experiencing many of the problems associated with this phenomenal pace of growth," said Simon Squibb, the founder and chief executive at privately held Nest.

He said the partnership with Infiniti, the Hong Kong-based premium car division of Japan's Nissan Motor, is aimed at taking “a leadership role in solving these problems", which range from congestion to energy waste.

The initial "Infiniti Accelerator" programme launched by the two companies this week will focus on start-ups engaged in developing solutions in the field of "smart cities".

Smart cities deploy information and communications technology solutions in three or more functional areas of a city government, according to research firm IHS. Examples include mobile and transport, energy and sustainability, physical infrastructure, governance, and safety and security.

Smart cities are emerging in response to an increasingly urbanised world dealing with scarce resources, along with the desire to improve efficiency.