This Month's Latest Tech News in St Petersburg, FL - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

April 2025 has marked a transformative period for St. Petersburg, FL, as tech and AI innovation accelerate across the city. St. Pete's Innovation District continues its “smart city” mission, working with national partners to test urban solutions - from smart traffic signals to cutting-edge environmental sensors - aimed at tackling local challenges such as congestion, sustainability, and digital inclusion through collaborative technology initiatives.

The city also celebrated the arrival of the world's largest AI-driven 3D printing facility, signaling a major shift in sustainable manufacturing and job creation with local firms at the forefront of change.

Additionally, local companies like Atlantium AI leveraged artificial intelligence to produce innovative products ready for global markets, underscoring St. Petersburg's growing role as a hub for advanced technology and entrepreneurship in product design and biotech.

Together, these advancements highlight the city's robust ecosystem for AI, smart manufacturing, and forward-thinking urban development.

St. Petersburg is taking a bold step to combat its ongoing congestion crisis by installing 15 AI-enabled smart traffic signals along high-traffic corridors, including 66th Street North and Tyrone Boulevard.

These advanced signals rely on real-time video detection and artificial intelligence to identify vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, adjusting green light timing dynamically to keep traffic flowing for the nearly 40,000 vehicles passing daily on each route.

The project targets some of the city's most crash-prone intersections and includes features to give priority to school buses and emergency vehicles, improving both safety and emergency response times.

Funded by a $1.16 million Florida Department of Transportation grant, the system's rollout - expected to be completed by year's end - also delivers a major communications upgrade, with new fiber optic lines and a high-definition video wall to enhance citywide traffic monitoring and prompt alerts during weather events like flooding.

City officials emphasize that these AI-powered upgrades are designed not only to ease rush hour gridlock but also to reduce the risk of accidents for all roadway users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

• Real-time traffic detection: Advanced signals use real-time video and AI to identify and adjust for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
• Improved safety measures: Priority features for school buses and emergency vehicles increase safety and boost response times.
• Major communications upgrades: The project brings fiber optic lines and a high-definition video wall for better monitoring and weather alerts.
• Government funding: Supported by a $1.16 million grant to facilitate broad citywide improvements.
• Citywide impact: These upgrades help reduce gridlock and accident risk for all roadway users.

To explore how the city is leveraging AI for safer, more efficient streets, Elizabeth Johnson recommends reading the official announcement on the arrival of AI-enabled smart signals in St. Petersburg, Barbara Martinez highlights detailed coverage of St. Pete's plan to use AI to reduce traffic, and William Garcia points to a broader look at how AI is transforming traffic flow across Tampa Bay.

Downtown St. Petersburg marked a historic milestone this April with the grand opening of Haddy's 32,000-square-foot microfactory, now recognized as the world's largest and most advanced AI-driven 3D printing facility.

Outfitted with a fleet of robotic systems powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, Haddy's facility sets a new bar for both industrial capacity and sustainable manufacturing, boasting 16 times the production throughput of its nearest competitor.

• AI-driven manufacturing: Haddy's microfactory features cutting-edge robotics and machine learning that significantly boost production capability and efficiency.
• Eco-friendly practices: The factory utilizes recycled materials and emphasizes full recyclability, aligning with principles of the circular economy.
• U.S. manufacturing resurgence: Through localized, agile production and technology partnerships with companies such as Siemens AG and CEAD, the facility strengthens domestic manufacturing amid global trade uncertainties.

Partner	Role	Contribution
Siemens AG	Technology Partnership	Provides automation and software solutions for the facility.
CEAD	Engineering Innovation	Delivers advanced additive manufacturing techniques.

According to Lisa Rodriguez, the facility is a blueprint for the next generation of manufacturing, merging robotics, digital design, and circular economy principles to deliver high-impact products across sectors such as construction, defense, and disaster recovery.

For a closer look at the factory's technical innovations and industry impact, visit coverage by TCT Magazine, detailed reporting from the Tampa Bay Times, or an in-depth overview at Become St. Pete.

April saw St. Petersburg make international headlines as Haddy, a local manufacturing startup, officially launched the world's largest AI-powered 3D printing facility - an achievement hailed as a turning point in digital manufacturing.

At the heart of this 32,000-square-foot microfactory are advanced robotics and machine learning technologies that enable the rapid, on-demand production of sustainable goods, from furniture to disaster recovery components, using 100% recyclable materials.

This innovative approach, profiled by Forbes as “revolutionary,” positions Haddy as a blueprint for U.S. reindustrialization, demonstrating resilience against global supply chain and tariff problems.

Locally, Haddy's growth is celebrated as proof that St. Pete can nurture tech pioneers with global reach, as noted by city officials and business leaders who see the facility as a catalyst for both job creation and sustainable industry transformation.

Partnerships with industry giants like Siemens AG and CEAD further elevate St. Petersburg's profile in advanced manufacturing, while on-the-ground impacts - like the company's ability to 3D-print custom furniture overnight for local businesses - underscore the benefits of agile, distributed production.

With echoing coverage from the likes of Tampa Bay Times and sector specialists such as 3D ADEPT Media, Haddy's microfactory sets a new benchmark, putting St. Pete at the cutting edge of sustainable, high-tech manufacturing.

St. Petersburg College is making a significant leap to address the region's growing demand for artificial intelligence education by launching two new AI certificate programs this spring.

Designed to equip students for a job market increasingly shaped by emerging technologies, these offerings provide both a foundational overview and practical, industry-ready AI skills.

The 9-credit Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use Certificate focuses on AI theory, applications, and ethical considerations, while the more advanced 18-credit Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use Practitioner Certificate emphasizes hands-on experience in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and data analytics, with credits transferable toward SPC's Data Science A.S. degree.

• Flexible course options allow students to choose between online and in-person classes at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs and Clearwater campuses, helping them balance education with other commitments.
• This prepares graduates for careers in high demand, including roles spanning computer programming and software development, aligning with current workforce needs.

For more details, visit the college's official overview of the Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use Certificate, learn about the hands-on experience and career pathways through the AI Practitioner Certificate, or read the announcement on how these programs meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce in SPC's newsroom.

St. Petersburg is stepping up roadway safety and efficiency with the introduction of AI-enabled smart traffic signals that actively prioritize school buses and emergency vehicles at intersections.

The city's new adaptive systems use real-time object detection and roadside communication to identify approaching responders or designated vehicles, granting them green lights and quicker access through heavy traffic or high-risk corridors - an upgrade that's especially timely as congestion and intersection accidents rise nationwide.

• AI-powered signals: St. Petersburg has implemented smart traffic signals using AI and real-time object detection to enhance roadway safety and efficiency.
• Vehicle prioritization: These new systems automatically grant school buses and emergency vehicles green lights at intersections to speed up response times.
• Advanced technology integration: By leveraging GPS, AI, and cellular communication, the city's signals coordinate green lights along entire routes for priority vehicles.
• Preparing for the future: The infrastructure is designed to eventually integrate with connected vehicle fleets for even safer and smarter roadways.
• Community safety: These measures minimize disruption to regular traffic and enhance pedestrian safety in high-risk corridors.

Feature	Benefit	Reference Project
AI Smart Signals	Reduces collision risk and travel times	St. Petersburg Smart Signals
Emergency Vehicle Preemption	Grants green lights to ambulances and school buses	LYT Connected Traffic Technology
Future Integration	Lays groundwork for connected vehicle fleets	National Traffic Response Trends

“By integrating technologies that automatically interrupt normal traffic patterns for emergency vehicles and prioritized school transit, St. Petersburg is joining a national movement to harness AI for safer, faster, and more coordinated urban transportation.” - Daniel Martin

St. Petersburg is taking a major leap in public safety and resiliency by deploying AI-powered smart traffic signals that provide city traffic operations with real-time data and automated flood alerts.

Drawing on advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, these systems monitor intersections, traffic flow, and environmental conditions, allowing city officials to respond instantly to congestion or hazardous weather.

• AI-driven smart signals empower real-time responses, helping city officials address traffic congestion and hazardous weather quickly.
• The integration of predictive AI mirrors global leading cities, providing faster, targeted emergency responses using rapid data analysis.
• Lessons from cities like Norfolk, Virginia, and Austin, Texas are shaping St. Pete's adoption of cutting-edge traffic technology.
• Significant investments from companies like HyperFiber and IQ Fiber bring reliable fiber-optic infrastructure to back up critical data transmission in emergencies.
• With investments of $31.5 million and $50 million, the city is building a robust connectivity backbone for timely alerts and automated safety adjustments.
• Smart technology adoption in St. Pete demonstrates a forward-thinking commitment to safer streets and climate resilience.

St. Pete's embrace of smart technology - underpinned by resilient data networks and AI insights - demonstrates a forward-thinking commitment to safer streets and better-informed emergency management, setting a precedent for how cities nationwide can adapt to a future shaped by both connectivity and extreme weather.

Provider	Investment Amount	Infrastructure Focus
HyperFiber	$31.5 million	Underground Fiber-optic Network
IQ Fiber	$50 million	Citywide Fiber Expansion

To learn more, see how AI-enabled smart signals are arriving in St. Petersburg, read about the importance of AI and strong data for city disaster response, and explore the ongoing fiber infrastructure expansion that supports these innovations.

April 2025 marked a significant leap forward in road safety for pedestrians and cyclists across St. Petersburg and the greater Florida region, thanks to the rapid expansion and deployment of AI traffic technologies.

The Florida Department of Transportation's statewide approval of the NoTraffic AI-based management system is a stand-out development, bringing real-time, data-driven control to intersections by recognizing all road users - including pedestrians and cyclists - and dynamically optimizing signal timing and alerts for enhanced safety and lower accident rates.

Florida DOT's Statewide AI Traffic Management Approval Cutting-edge innovations showcased at the ATSSA 2025 Convention, such as ISS's Soffit AI-powered intersection safety system, further highlight the trend: the system actively monitors and illuminates crosswalks to keep pedestrians visible and safe in high-risk environments like school zones and transportation hubs.

Soffit AI Pedestrian Safety Solution Honored at ATSSA These advancements complement a broader shift toward AI-driven urban mobility, as city planners now utilize real-time sensor data, predictive analytics, and geospatial insights to proactively reduce crash risks and address safety gaps, especially in underserved districts.

Next-Gen Pedestrian Safety: How AI is Revolutionizing Urban Mobility Together, these measures are setting a new standard for safer, more responsive streets for everyone navigating St. Pete's neighborhoods, schools, and business corridors.

Major industry partnerships are propelling St. Petersburg to the forefront of smart manufacturing, with a spotlight on collaborations between local innovators like Haddy and global tech leaders such as Siemens and CEAD. Haddy's new 32,000-square-foot microfactory - the world's largest AI-driven 3D printing facility - operates a fleet of robots that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to produce sustainable furniture from recycled materials, embodying a shift toward “proximate manufacturing” and closed-loop production systems.

Siemens' support through its Xcelerator Marketplace and its new Siemens for Startups program, launched at CES 2025, offers startups like Haddy access to advanced automation software, cloud infrastructure, and business development resources, substantially lowering the barriers to scaling smart, sustainable manufacturing solutions in St. Petersburg.

The result is a robust local ecosystem where innovations - ranging from CEAD's modular Flexbot microfactories to RFID-enabled material tracing - are rapidly transforming supply chain dynamics, workforce opportunities, and the region's global reputation.

Siemens' expansion of additive manufacturing partnerships further demonstrates how integrating open, interoperable technologies is accelerating the adoption of smart factories worldwide, with Haddy cited as a leading example of how digitalization and sustainability in production benefit both industry and the environment today and for the future.

This April, St. Petersburg accelerated its smart infrastructure push thanks to a $1.16 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), earmarked for the installation of 15 AI-enabled smart traffic signals along some of the city's busiest - and most crash-prone - corridors.

The West St. Petersburg Smart Signal Corridors project aims to cut congestion and improve safety by replacing traditional pavement sensors with advanced video detection that adapts to real-time traffic, weather, and even tracks pedestrians with remarkable accuracy.

School buses and emergency vehicles will benefit from priority signaling, helping reduce delays during critical moments.

• Smart infrastructure funding: St. Petersburg secured significant funding from FDOT for city-wide smart signal upgrades.
• AI-powered detection: The new signals will rely on advanced video technology to monitor and manage traffic flows in real time.
• Enhanced emergency response: School buses and emergency vehicles gain priority at intersections, reducing potential delays during emergencies.
• Centralized traffic coordination: A state-of-the-art video wall at the Traffic Management Center enables fast coordination and incident response.
• Regional leadership in smart transit: The city aims to become a leader in intelligent traffic management as more initiatives move forward.

City officials tout upgrades like a new video wall for the Traffic Management Center, providing live feeds to better coordinate traffic and respond rapidly to incidents and flooding.

With these smart systems set for completion by the end of 2025 and plans to evaluate further expansion across St. Pete, the city is positioning itself as a regional leader in intelligent traffic management.

William Thomas, a city transportation official, stated, "With smart signals and improved coordination, we're not just easing congestion - we're making streets safer and more responsive for everyone in St. Petersburg."

Project Component	Purpose	Expected Impact
AI Smart Signals	Real-time traffic adaptation	Reduce congestion and improve safety
Video Wall (Traffic Center)	Centralized coordination	Faster incident and flood response
Emergency Vehicle Prioritization	Special light phasing	Reduce emergency response times

You can read more about the FDOT-backed grant and the transformative scope of this project in the St. Pete Catalyst deep dive, see how city officials are planning future expansion in this FOX 13 News report, and learn why these upgrades go beyond road widening in MyQ105's project update.

In a month marked by rapid advancements and bold initiatives, St. Petersburg's progress in technology and innovation has caught the attention of both local leaders and international audiences.

Mayor Ken Welch, in his 2025 State of the City address, emphasized the city's unity and resilience, tying these values directly to recent tech triumphs and infrastructure upgrades that are driving economic opportunity and community engagement as highlighted in official city news.

A standout example is the opening of the world's largest AI-driven 3D printing facility, Haddy, which Welch praised as emblematic of St. Pete's creativity and forward-thinking spirit in local interviews.

Additionally, critical infrastructure policy - like the renewed commitment to Albert Whitted Airport as a hub for disaster response and emerging technologies - has reinforced St. Pete's reputation as a city capable of balancing innovation with tradition, earning respect from industry leaders and national media alike in aviation circles.

Together, these achievements position St. Petersburg not only as a regional tech hub but as a model for cities investing in inclusive and resilient innovation.

April 2025 has highlighted St. Petersburg's emergence as a dynamic player in Florida's technology and AI landscape, cementing its position in both regional and national conversations.

The city's investment in AI-enabled smart signals demonstrates a commitment to innovative public infrastructure, using adaptive traffic systems to boost safety, efficiency, and real-time data responsiveness - particularly critical for congestion and climate challenges.

Meanwhile, the local citywide push toward smart technology aligns with broader trends across Florida, where startup funding has stabilized and targeted capital is flowing into sectors like AI, cyber security, and smart manufacturing, as reported in recent funding outlooks. St. Petersburg-based firms such as Girard Media are also expanding technology-driven services to help businesses navigate a rapidly changing digital market, enhancing brand strategy with tools like AI-optimized campaigns as detailed in the latest service expansion news.

Together, these milestones underscore the city's commitment to technological innovation, collaboration, and inclusive economic growth as it carves out a lasting niche within the evolving AI and tech ecosystem.