Forbes "14 ‘Smart City’ Tech Features That Will Soon Change Urban Centers" ProtectedIT says "OT Security"
As the Internet of Things continues to permeate more areas of modern life, we’ve begun to see the rise of the “smart city.” These urban areas leverage IoT technology like sensors and beacons to collect data and better manage a city’s resources, services and operations. This ultimately makes a city safer and can improve the quality of life for residents.
Because this smart city technology is virtually invisible to those who aren’t operating it, many outside of the tech industry may not realize the full impact IoT can have on urban life. Below, 14 experts from Forbes Technology Council explain some of the current and upcoming tech innovations that are changing the way cities function.
1. OT Security
As networks evolve and 5G and microwave/low latency become more prevalent, operational technology offers a much different attack surface for bad actors than IT. OT security has grown, and the approaches and technologies vary greatly. Memory protection is something that I see as a huge technology disruptor. This will enable and secure effective microgrids, edge data centers and IoT devices. - Damian Ehrlicher, Protected IT
2. Traffic Monitoring
With 5G coming into play, full-throttle cities and communities will continue to become smarter and sharper. One of the key smart city technologies is real-time tracking and reporting of traffic. This will help people make smart and informed decisions, such as, “Should I go to the office today or work from home?” This feature will take mobility to the next level. - Vishwa Prasad, People Tech Group
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3. 5G
Arguably one of the biggest smart city technologies that will revolutionize how cities work is 5G, given its ability to connect millions of devices combined with high-speed connections and response rates. Cities of the future will be able to make use of self-driving cars and optimize mass transit systems. Augmented reality and virtual reality technology will allow consumers to tour museums or virtually ride roller coasters. - Bruce Kelley, NetScout Systems
4. LPWAN-Enabled Infrastructure
Serving millions of citizens and managing intricate processes and infrastructure requires seamless data-driven operations. In this context, large-scale wireless networks like LPWAN and 5G are key to massive data communications for smart cities of the future. While 5G is set to fuel a myriad of consumer applications, LPWAN will be a core enabler of citywide connected infrastructure. - Wolfgang Thieme, BehrTech
5. Air Quality Monitoring
Urban air pollution from combustion products and volatile organic compounds poses serious health risks. As a result, major cities are taking a proactive approach by creating spatially dense air-quality-monitoring networks. Combined with hyperlocal data, these integrated IoT sensors can identify polluters and help implement smarter, healthier public transportation and urban planning solutions. - Christopher Yang, Corporate Travel Management
6. Agent-Based Simulation And Modeling
Agent-based simulation and modeling is a key part of making smart cities work by enabling policymakers, companies and inhabitants to explore different scenarios for important factors such as zoning, transportation and traffic management, and economic development goals. Exploring potential futures digitally is core to the future of urban planning and operations. - Jason Crabtree, QOMPLX, Inc.
7. Contactless Technology
Contactless technology—whether payments, meter readings or preventive health—will be essential both in terms of saving time and cost as well as enhancing health and safety. - Didem Un Ates, Accenture
8. Smart Cameras
Smart cameras have been one of the most prominent smart city technologies. Whether in the form of connected street cameras, first responders’ bodycams or commercial vehicles’ dash-cams, smart cameras have been essential in detecting road accidents, violations, potholes and even the root cause of fires. Such cameras have been enabling a new frontier of big data and machine learning for smarter cities. - Ahmad (Al) Fares, CeliTech Inc.
9. Widespread, Mobile Security Systems
Smart city technology is going to make life safer and more convenient. One thing to keep an eye on is security systems and technologies that will become integrated with smartphones, wearables and overall smart city systems. Criminals—whether it be in the real world in online—will have a tougher time breaking into smart home ecosystems. - John Shin, RSI Security
10. Mobility Alerts
Cities have always been the catalysts of economic and human growth. Smart cities use technology to achieve the goals of a better quality of life and sustainable living for the citizens. One main area of improvement is “mobility.” This includes pollution alerts to help asthma patients, maintenance alerts for bad road conditions, enabling self-driving cars, and alerts about traffic congestion - Swathi Young, Integrity Management Systems Inc
11. Real-Time Sensor Data And Advanced Artificial Intelligence
Digital twins will create better resiliency in smart city infrastructure, including earlier detection and response to large-scale events like natural disasters or cyberattacks. Predictive models of smart city infrastructure will increasingly rely on real-time sensor data and advanced AI to predict future performance and respond to anomalies before they become actualized threats. - Shiv Sundar, Esper
12. Urban Farming
Urban farming and smart cities go hand-in-hand. With the increasing number of people living in cities, we need to come up with a sustainable solution to improve food quality and energy usage and reduce transportation costs. Singapore was an early adopter of vertical agriculture and it has made the city more self-sufficient while having a positive environmental impact. - Abishek Surana Rajendra, Course Hero
13. Autonomous Drones
The use of drones has been increasing, especially in the time of Covid-19. Drone services have partnered with large pharmacies to deliver medicine to the doorsteps of those who cannot leave their homes. Additionally, medical supplies have been delivered to hospitals using drones. Social distancing is creating a global demand for drones and remote, instant access to goods. - Ryan Chan, UpKeep Maintenance Management
14. Smart Transportation
Smart transportation technology will enhance cities. Smart traffic lights will streamline the flow of vehicles to optimize traffic efficiency. And with vehicle autonomy taking over, connected cars that can communicate with each other will lead to fewer collisions and, ultimately, safer city roads. - Ashwini Choudhary, Recogni