A new plan that aims to transform Singapore into the world's first "Smart Nation" was unveiled by the island nation and its Development Authority (IDA) at the launch of CommunicAsia.
Trials will begin soon in Jurong Lake District, a new urban hub about 40 minutes from the city center. Above-ground boxes connected by fiber optic lines will be deployed across the country at streetlights or bus stops.
These new boxes could be connected to sensors that can detect air pollution, heavy rainfall or traffic congestion. One particular idea is for sensors that can report how full trash cans are, combined with cameras that can detect litter – and remind litterers to pick it up.
Given the country’s tiny landmass – not much bigger than the city of San Francisco – it sounds more like a smart city. But while the script sounds like a “cut and sew” scenario for a happy civil society, privacy remains a concern, as does funding. An IDA spokesman said consultations would need to discuss how the data in question should be protected and used.
