IoT in our smart cities
By: Prof. Ts. Dr. Manjit Singh Sidhu
Globally, the idea of “Smart Cities” has gained traction due to the Internet of Things (IoT) technology’s quick development. No exception applies to Malaysia, which has a vision for a connected and sustainable future. Let’s explore how IoT can revolutionize various aspects of Malaysian urban life, including smart TVs, cars, and homes. Further it would be worth to see how IoT can harnessed to improve the quality of life, enhance sustainability, and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
1. Smart TVs in Smart Cities.
Consider a future in which smart TVs serve as both an entertainment hub and a hub for smart city services. Smart TVs with IoT capabilities can serve as information hubs, providing real-time weather, traffic, and public transportation updates. This is how:
a. Traffic Management: To give commuters real-time traffic updates, smart TVs can connect to traffic monitoring systems. This data can help residents plan their routes efficiently, reducing congestion and air pollution.
b. Emergency Alerts: In the event of natural disasters or emergencies, smart TVs can instantly broadcast alerts and safety instructions to residents, ensuring their well-being.
c. Energy Efficiency: IoT-enabled smart TVs can be programmed to optimize energy consumption, contributing to energy conservation efforts in smart cities.
2. IoT-Powered Cars for Smart Mobility.
IoT has the potential to transform the way we commute in Malaysian cities. Smart cars, equipped with IoT technology, can provide numerous benefits for a better tomorrow:
a. Traffic Management: IoT-connected cars can communicate with traffic signals, helping to regulate traffic flow and reduce gridlock. This leads to less time spent in traffic, lower fuel consumption, and reduced emissions.
b. Parking Solutions: Smart cars can find and reserve parking spots in real-time, reducing the time and fuel wasted on searching for parking spaces.
c. Transportation: IoT can improve the integration of smart cars and public transportation systems, facilitating seamless transitions between different modes of transportation for locals.
d. Safety: IoT-enabled cars can communicate real-time information with other vehicles about hazards, accidents, and road conditions, making roads safer.
3. Smart homes are an integral part of smart cities.
IoT technology can significantly enhance the quality of life for Malaysian residents:
a. Energy Efficiency: Smart home appliances, lighting, and thermostats can be linked to IoT systems to reduce energy consumption. This lowers the city’s overall carbon footprint while also lowering electricity costs.
b. Security: Real-time monitoring and alerts are made available to homeowners by IoT-enabled home security systems, improving safety in crowded cities.
c. Waste Management: Smart bins equipped with IoT sensors can notify waste management services when they need to be emptied, optimizing collection routes and reducing unnecessary pollution from waste trucks.
d. Healthcare: The Internet of Things (IoT) can enable remote health monitoring, allowing residents to access medical services and consultations from the comfort of their homes and relieving pressure on healthcare facilities.
4. Environmental Sustainability.
IoT plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability in smart cities like Malaysia:
a. Air Quality Monitoring: IoT sensors placed throughout the city can continuously monitor air quality, providing real-time data to residents. This information can help individuals make informed choices about outdoor activities and can aid authorities in implementing pollution control measures.
b. Waste Reduction: IoT technology can be used to track waste generation and encourage recycling by providing incentives and real-time feedback to residents.
c. Green Spaces: Smart city planning can include IoT-powered solutions for the maintenance and preservation of green spaces. For example, sensors can monitor soil moisture levels, ensuring efficient irrigation and healthier urban greenery.
d. Water Management: IoT-enabled water management systems can detect leaks and reduce water wastage, contributing to the conservation of this precious resource.
5. Enhanced Quality of Life.
Ultimately, the widespread adoption of IoT in smart cities like Malaysia aims to improve the overall quality of life for residents:
a. Accessibility: IoT can improve accessibility for people with disabilities by giving them real-time information about facilities, accessible public transportation, and routes that are free of barriers.
b. Education: IoT can support remote learning and offer students individualized learning experiences, reducing the digital divide and boosting educational access.
c. Community Engagement: By giving locals a way to express their grievances, access government services, and take part in decision-making processes, smart city platforms can promote civic engagement.
d. Cultural and Social Integration: IoT can promote diversity and inclusivity in smart cities by fostering social integration and cultural exchange through digital platforms.
IoT has the potential to totally transform how people live in smart cities such as Malaysia, which is in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call to action by all nations working together in a global partnership. Residents can benefit from enhanced quality of life, greater sustainability, and overall well-being as a result of IoT-enabled smart TVs, automobiles, and homes, among other things. Adoption of IoT technology will be critical in ensuring Malaysia accomplishes its goal of a sustainable and connected future, as well as in building a better future for all of its residents. Cities around the country are becoming smarter, more efficient, and more habitable as technology and urban planning collide.
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The author is a Professor at the College of Computing and Informatics, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Fellow of the British Computer Society, Chartered IT Professional, Fellow of the Malaysian Scientific Association, Senior IEEE member and Professional Technologist MBOT Malaysia. He may be reached at [email protected]
-DG
