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Digital Planet: Rio’s Operations Centre

Factual: Science & Nature

Students take the bus station of Brasillia

25/06/2013

Rio’s Operations Centre

BBC World Service - Digital Planet, Rio’s Operations Centre

Is Rio de Janeiro's high-tech Operations Centre in danger of invading people's privacy?

Is Rio de Janeiro's new high-tech Operations Centre in danger of invading people's privacy? Plus, a report on the new smart networked cars that will revolutionise German roads.

The Rio de Janeiro Operations Centre was built to bring a number of civil services under one roof. The expectation was that it would be used to co-ordinate various services - police, fire, ambulance, water, weather. Planners imagined how it might enable the city to work smoothly during big events such as the forthcoming World Cup and Olympics. But in recent weeks Rio de Janeiro has witnessed huge and sometimes violent demonstrations. The Operations Centre in Rio de Janeiro switched very quickly to crisis mode. Click visits the Operations Centre and talks to the head of the centre about collaborating with the forces of law and order, and serving a vital public function and invading people’s privacy. 

Plus, a report from Frankfurt on the smart networked cars of the future. 
A blow-up may sound harmless - but in Germany they are lethal.  Because of the hot temperatures the concrete on Germany’s roads is literally bursting - buckling the roads.  The Germans call them blow-ups. Such accidents should become a thing of the past when Germany introduces its new 'car to x technology'. Using wireless and mobile technology, cars will get information from traffic centres and can send out their own data - warning each other about hazards on the road, traffic jams or construction sites. The likes of Daimler, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Opel and Ford have all clubbed together and just finished the world’s biggest field testing of this technology in Frankfurt. Click's Abby d'Arcy takes a test drive.

(Image: Protesters in Rio de Janeiro. Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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