What role does MQTT play in a smart city?

MQTT serves as the lightweight, real-time messaging protocol that connects sensors and devices across the city. Its publish-subscribe model enables different municipal services to share data seamlessly, creating a unified data backbone for applications like intelligent traffic management, smart public utilities, and public safety.

How does EMQX handle the security of public data?

EMQX provides a robust, enterprise-grade security framework. It uses TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit, supports various authentication methods (including X.509 certificates and JWT), and offers fine-grained access control policies to ensure that only authorized devices and applications can access specific data streams.

What kind of devices can I connect to EMQX?

EMQX is protocol-agnostic, supporting not only MQTT but also other protocols like CoAP, LwM2M, and more via extensions. This allows you to connect a wide variety of devices, including traffic sensors, smart meters, public transport GPS trackers, environmental monitors, and connected public lighting systems from different vendors.

Can EMQX be deployed on-premise for a smart city?

Yes, EMQX offers a flexible, cloud-native architecture that can be deployed anywhere. For smart city projects that require data sovereignty or low latency, EMQX can be deployed on-premise on private servers or at the edge of the network. It can also be deployed in a hybrid model, with local brokers for real-time control and a central broker in the cloud for analytics and long-term storage.

MQTT Platform for Smart City

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1,000+

Global Customers

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Connected Devices

400K+

Clusters Deployed

50M+

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The Data Challenge in Smart Urban Environments

Modern cities face significant challenges in connecting and managing diverse infrastructure systems at scale.

Disconnected Data Silos

Traffic, utilities, and public safety often use separate, proprietary systems, preventing a holistic view of city operations and coordinated response.

Massive Device Scale

Millions of sensors for traffic, lighting, and environmental monitoring create a data deluge that legacy systems can't handle.

Lack of Real-Time Control

Polling-based communication and data latency inhibit real-time applications like adaptive traffic control and instant emergency alerts.

Security & Interoperability

Connecting critical public infrastructure introduces significant cybersecurity risks, while a lack of open standards leads to vendor lock-in.

The Solution: A Central Nervous System for the City

EMQX provides a unified data hub that integrates all municipal services, enabling city-wide monitoring, control, and intelligent automation.

Why Choose EMQX for Smart City?

Integrate All Services

Connect traffic systems, utilities, public transport, and emergency services into a single, cohesive platform.

Standardize City Data

Use standardized data models and MQTT topic structures to ensure interoperability between different departments and vendors.

Enable City-Wide Insights

Stream unified, real-time data to command centers, analytics platforms, and citizen-facing applications.

Built for City-Wide Scale & Security

Enterprise-grade infrastructure designed to support millions of connections with ultra-low latency and robust security.

250M+

Connections

Reliably connect millions of sensors, vehicles, and devices across the entire urban landscape.

<50ms

Latency

Enable real-time applications like traffic signal optimization and public safety alerts with ultra-low latency.

Secure

by Design

Protect critical public infrastructure with end-to-end TLS encryption and granular access control.

Open

Standards

Avoid vendor lock-in and foster innovation with a platform built on the open MQTT standard.

Building a Smarter, More Responsive City

Real-world applications that transform urban infrastructure and improve citizen quality of life.

Intelligent Traffic Management

Reduce congestion and improve safety by analyzing real-time traffic data to dynamically adjust signal timing and route emergency vehicles.

Smart Public Utilities

Optimize resource usage and reduce costs by monitoring water distribution for leaks, managing the electrical grid, and automating waste collection.

Enhanced Public Safety

Improve emergency response times and citizen safety with connected services, real-time alerts, and intelligent lighting systems.

Smart Buildings

Increase energy efficiency and occupant comfort in municipal and commercial buildings with centralized HVAC and lighting control.

Environmental Monitoring

Track air quality, noise levels, and water pollution in real time to inform public policy and improve citizen health.

Connected Public Transport

Provide real-time vehicle tracking, arrival predictions, and digital signage to create a more efficient and user-friendly transit system.

Dive Deeper into MQTT For Smart City

Explore our white papers, technical blogs, and case studies to start building your smart city architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about adopting EMQX for smart cities.

Build the City of the Future

Talk to our experts to learn how a unified MQTT platform can be the foundation for your smart city initiatives.

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The Unified MQTT Platform for Smart City

The Data Challenge in Smart Urban Environments

The Solution: A Central Nervous System for the City

Why Choose EMQX for Smart City?

Built for City-Wide Scale & Security

250M+

<50ms

Secure

Open

Building a Smarter, More Responsive City

Dive Deeper into MQTT For Smart City

Frequently Asked Questions

Build the City of the Future

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