New York City’s Smart City Testbed Program gives city agencies a route to test emerging technologies in real operating conditions before deciding whether they merit wider use. Launched by the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) in October 2023, it was designed to speed up pilots addressing challenges faced by government and residents.411
The program treats the city’s public assets—including streets, buildings, parks and waterfronts—as potential test sites, with successful solutions potentially relevant to more than 55 city agencies and entities.21 Applicants describe how their technology could address a city challenge; OTI’s Smart Cities team reviews proposals and seeks agency matches. Selected pilots bring together OTI, a city agency and a technology provider, typically run for six to nine months, and are evaluated at the end, with findings shared with relevant agencies. Participants are expected to fund their own pilots.3
The portfolio has covered building inspections, air quality, traffic analysis, bike-lane conditions, pedestrian activity and public engagement. Examples include T2D2’s AI façade analysis at the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center, SmartVision’s computer-vision assessment of protected bike lanes, and Meshed’s pedestrian-counting sensors.5 The program’s Clean Construction Innovation Pilot is assessing electric construction equipment for use in city-run projects.1 In 2025, OTI also announced pilots involving LiDAR-based traffic analysis, bike-lane assessment, pedestrian counting and augmented-reality engagement for a planned Queens recreation centre.6
The program is currently pausing new applications, according to its application page.3