The concept of smart homes powered by Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence in futuristic sci-fi movies appear to be a distant reality. When Google Home hits the market, it gives us a small taste of smart homes at its infancy. In reality, Internet of Things can do more than making a home ‘smart’, it can also actualize the concept of smart cities.
How IoT create smart cities?
IoT devices exist in the form of connected sensors, lights, and meters, and the collected data will be analysed. Smart cities utilize these data to improve infrastructure, public utilities, services, and more. Imagine a city with smooth public transport and smarter management of traffic congestion – who doesn’t love the idea?
Take for instance, how sensors enhance a smart city:
Sensors built into roadways and expressway can detect issues such ad subsidence and wear and tear plus traffic flow. When there are extreme degradation of roads, a smart city will automatically alert the authority to conduct repair. Another instance of how it works is the detection of traffic flow anomaly where traffic appears more heavy than usual, suspicions on malfunctioning traffic lights and road accidents will be raised – and rectifying measures will be implemented in subsequence.
Why the push for IoT and smart city?
A smart home where the air conditioning is regulated and television plays where your last episode ended afford people with a sense of convenience. In contrast, a smart city aims to improve the overall standard of living of the citizens by maximizing the use of infrastructure. IoT enables data to be shared and analysed in real time for optimization of such infrastructure and reduce waste. Smart cities are also coming to life due to several considerations:
Security
More societies feel the need for safer environment and smart cities enable such aspiration. Facial recognition that draws attention and criticism in China is merely one of the facets of crime prevention through shared data by law enforcement thanks to IoT. It also allows massive surveillance a la a dystopic London in V for Vendetta.
Disaster prevention
In cities where natural disasters are prevalent such as Tokyo whereby earthquake is a worrying concern, the concept of smart city is an invaluable technology advancement. Sensors installed throughout the city can be utilized to detect unusual environmental changes such as increased seismic activities, speed of wind, and others to forecast natural disasters. This helps to increase emergency preparedness and brace for possible impact.
Reduced Use of Energy
Cities worldwide draw its power from non-renewable sources such as coal, as not every nation has achieved the level of R&D breakthrough to harness the power of renewable sources such as hydroelectricity. Colossal consumption of power also puts a strain on the environment and leaves behind a trajectory of environmental impact. Through small measures such as installation of sensors in rooms, public parks, and streets, energy consumption can be better managed. Street lamps that automatically go dim with reduced foot traffic, heaters that stops operating in an empty room, and other outcomes of sensor monitoring can overall cut the use of energy. Conservation of energy helps a city reduce waste and reduce the cost of upkeeping the infrastructure.
The Future Ahead
As the world slowly recognizes the importance of smart cities and how Internet of Things can accomplish it, the landscape of cities as we know it will change. Human beings love the idea of higher standard of living, and smart cities that elevate the standard to a whole new level – it certainly has a place in our modern world.
