Seemingly any device we place in our hands today, from our phone to our toothbrush, is a “smart device”- a network connected device that uses data to relay important information, like when our oil needs changed, or if it is too cold for a swim.
But imagine every part of daily life being connected. From tracking the train to work – to wait times at the coffee shop along the way – and directions to the dry cleaner for when you spill said coffee on your favorite shirt – to the energy grid that powers it all. Everything connected and talking to each other in real time to make sure things run efficiently – that is a smart city.
Australia has been leading the charge to make smart cities a reality for millions of its citizens. As part of its Smart Cities Plan in 2016, the Australian Government released $50 million in grants to help bring communities across the country into the digital age. Since then, over 81 projects have been funded, with money going toward Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, smart power grids, and electric buses, just to name a few.
Benefits of Smart Cities
Smart Cities can help stop problems before they start. For example, IoT-connected devices can detect when energy grids are at capacity. As increasing energy demands strain power grids, IoT-powered sensors alert officials who can divert energy and help prevent problematic power outages. Those same officials can then send out real-time alerts to citizens advising them to conserve energy.
Smart cities can also help make EVs a viable reality. IoT can help drive greater deployment of charging stations to support EVs, while citizens can check on their phones which charging stations are available nearby, which helps to reduce harmful carbon emissions and hazardous smog.
As exciting as smart cities sound, they also come with some challenges.
Challenges with Smart Cities
One major concern over smart cities is privacy. Smart Cities rely on data sharing to improve operational efficiency throughout the city; but like with any solution that communicates data, privacy is a key consideration. That is why many lawmakers limit the type of data that can be shared and collected over connected devices.
Along with privacy, another challenge smart cities face is safety. Smart cities work over networks that, if not properly secured, can make them prime targets for cyberattacks; however, with the right security monitoring and data encryption measures, Smart Cities can be a safe alternative to traditional cities.
Ultimately, progress never comes without hurdles. As each day passes, our world becomes more digital. Digitising our cities, if done with the benefit and safety of citizens in mind, might just be the smartest way to move into the future.
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Quelle/Source: IOT Hub, 28.08.2023
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