Smart cities spread in each field!

Smart cities spread in each field!

We are starting to move forward in each field for the future where things and things will spread on the Internet. It is currently in the experimental stage, but it will spread in the near future by fixing defects. How is the experiment done? I will introduce the article.

What is a smart city? Easy-to-understand explanation even for first-time users!

What is a smart city?

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism defines smart cities as follows.

Management (planning, preparation) while utilizing new technologies such as ICT for various issues facing the city

Sustainable city or district where equipment, management, operation, etc.) are carried out and overall optimization is achieved.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

In other words, it is a city that aims for sustainable economic development by improving the quality of life of residents and the service efficiency of the city while considering the environment by using advanced technologies such as ICT (information and communication technology).

Background of introduction of smart city
Smart cities are being promoted not only in Japan but also around the world. The background is that by 2050, 70% of the world's population is projected to be concentrated in cities.
When the population is concentrated in a city, it is necessary to take measures against environmental problems and improve urban functions. Therefore, smart cities have been introduced in order to achieve sustainable development by using new technologies such as big data and ICT such as cloud computing.

Domestic case
Kyoto Prefecture: Introduction of public digital signage

Source: Kyoto Smart City Promotion Council

Since April 2019, Kyoto Prefecture has installed interactive digital signage linked to SNS, etc. at the entrances of domestic and foreign tourists (Tokyo Station, Hankyu Umeda Station, Kyoto Station) and major tourist destinations in the prefecture.

It was developed for the purpose of disseminating information in multiple languages ​​to tourists visiting Japan and improving the efficiency of transfer guidance services for information staff. In addition, it is said that it will collect usage data such as touch data from digital signage and utilize it in future tourism measures.

Tokyo: Softbank co-creates a smart city in the Takeshiba area

Source: SoftBank

Demonstration experiments by Softbank and Tokyu Land are planned in the Takeshiba area (Minato-ku, Tokyo).

This plan will utilize data and build smart buildings in the Takeshiba area in order to realize a smart city that utilizes cutting-edge technology throughout the city. We also plan to verify technology in a wide range of areas such as robotics, mobility, AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), and drones.

Overseas cases
Chicago, USA: Array of Things

Source: Array of Things

It is an initiative to utilize a group of networked sensors installed to collect real-time data on the urban environment and infrastructure for research and public use.

By installing a node in the city that incorporates a sensor that can collect the status of the urban environment, it is possible to collect data on noise and air pollution in real time. Environmental sensors that measure temperature and vibration, atmospheric sensors that measure carbon dioxide and ozone, and optical / infrared sensors are built into the node.

The collected data on the urban environment and traffic conditions is distributed in a real-time and open manner, so that researchers and residents can use this data to improve urban functions.