Hexagon LIVE 2025 - Implications for Smart Cities and Public Safety

This IDC Perspective examines Hexagon's strategic announcements and their implications for the broader Smart City ecosystem, with particular attention to the creation of Octave - a corporate restructuring that signals the company's evolution from a measurement-focused conglomerate to a platform-centric orchestrator of intelligent operations. The conference highlighted Hexagon's strategic shift with the creation of Octave, focusing on AI-native infrastructure for Smart Cities and public safety. Octave aims to enhance resilience through predictive analytics and edge computing. Hexagon's restructuring allows for focused innovation in precision measurement and autonomous systems, exemplified by the launch of AEON, a humanoid robot. Integration was a key theme, with Hexagon positioning itself as a platform provider to unite diverse technologies, addressing digital silos and enhancing operational coherence and mission clarity."Hexagon LIVE Global 2025 centered on Hexagon's strategic transformation - spinning off Octave to focus on AI-native software while doubling down on precision hardware and robotics," said Alison Brooks, research vice president, Worldwide Public Safety, IDC. "This focus is poised to deliver innovation at scale, founded on trusted data, and delivering trusted new services."