Minnesota-based electronics distributor Digi-Key has launched a video series focused on smart cities.

Sponsored by TE Connectivity and Microchip, the three-part video series, titled “Smarter, Safer Cities” focuses on some of the most advanced cities in the world, and how the latest technology and innovations in public safety combine to reshape the way people work, commute and live in the smart cities of the modern era.

“We’re excited to explore and share how smart city technologies are transforming and empowering everything from public safety to sustainability, energy management and electric and autonomous vehicles to safe and productive workspaces,” said Robbie Paul, director of Digi-Key’s IoT business. “Smart cities are the future and many Digi-Key customers and suppliers are playing critical roles in delivering innovative technologies to bring smart cities to life.”

The first video, “Public Safety Through Enhanced Awareness,” is now live on Digi-Key’s web site, and available in all local languages served. The second video titled “Harvesting and Storing Sustainable Energy” will be released this month and the third titled “Office Workers in the Next Normal” in June.

Sponsor Arizona-based Microchip Technology provides smart, connected and secure embedded control products. The company’s technology serves more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace, defence, communications and computing markets.

“As IoT and 5G continue to rapidly advance, Microchip is excited to harness the power of these innovative technologies and lay the groundwork for safer, smarter cities,” said Microchip senior vice president Rich Simoncic. “Our partnership with Digi-Key helps to fuel their customers’ innovations, from providing components to build out smart energy grids and charging applications for autonomous vehicles to automated technology that improves both the safety and productivity of office workers.”

Also a sponsor is TE Connectivity, which supplies connectivity products and sensors for transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications and the home. It has approximately 80,000 employees, including more than 7500 engineers working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries.

“As a trusted distribution partner for more than 35 years, Digi-Key brings its customers the latest, cutting-edge critical components they need, including TE Connectivity’s antennas, RF, harsh-environment cables, high-speed, low-speed connectors, power products and sensors, to develop new technologies to advance smart cities,” said Rickard Barrefelt, senior manager of field application engineering at TE.

Digi-Key Electronics, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, is a full-service distributor of electronic components, and provides access to adjacent products and technologies through its online marketplace. It offers more than 11.8 million components, with over 2.6 million in stock and available for immediate shipment, from over 1700 manufacturers.