What technological advances are helping Singapore become a smart nation?

According to the ranking announced by the Institute for Management Development at the Swiss Business School (IMD) in collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design in November 2021, Singapore was rated as the smartest country in the world for three consecutive years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Singapore is the perfect model for a country of the future. Not only is it the smartest country in the world, Singapore also has many other outstanding features such as: clean living environment, ideal educational environment, very high social standards, very few social evils, corruption...

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To turn Singapore into a smart nation, at the end of 2014, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong proposed the "Smart Nation Initiative" with the goal that in the next 10 years, Singapore will become a country that widely applies the most advanced technological achievements.

The following technological advancements have helped make Singapore a truly smart nation:

Self-driving cars

The concept of self-driving cars has been around for decades, captivating the minds of science fiction enthusiasts. Singapore has turned this dream into reality by introducing the world’s first driverless taxi system. It may seem strange for a foreigner to get into a car and realize that there is no driver inside. However, Singaporeans are slowly getting used to this technological miracle.

In addition to launching a driverless taxi system that allows people to book rides in advance via their smartphones, the Singapore government has also approved a commercial trial of the MooBus public driverless bus system from King Albert Park MRT station to 10 stops on the Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus in early 2023. These vehicles are expected to become an indispensable part of the streets and public transport in areas such as Punggol, Jurong and Tengah.

Self-driving cars are seen as an important factor and will contribute significantly to infrastructure development as well as making Singapore a smart nation.

Using drones and robots to monitor crime

Although Singapore's crime rate is already among the lowest in the world, the application of technological advances in police operations has made criminals more fearful.

Since 2018, the Singapore Police Force has started using special drones to conduct surveillance and catch criminals from the air. This type of drone can fly at an altitude of up to 60 meters and is equipped with a high-power siren and lights 10 times brighter than car headlights.

In addition, on the ground, patrol robots are also deployed by the Singapore Police Force to monitor crimes as well as socially undesirable behaviors such as smoking in prohibited areas, illegal gatherings, parking in the wrong place, illegal street vending, etc. These robots are fully automatic and equipped with cameras for remote monitoring. When detecting crimes, they will notify the command center with images of the crime as evidence.

Police have also used the MiniX, a four-wheeled, remote-controlled robot, to detect bombs and other potential hazards at major events. The robot navigates underground tunnels at large venues, while drones inspect rooftops and high-rise buildings. Both have been used at major events such as the Shangri-La Dialogue and Singapore’s National Day celebrations.

Smart home system

As a core element of Singapore’s vision for future living, HDB’s Smart Home Initiative aims to enhance the quality of everyday life by making homes smarter and more comfortable. Today, every Singaporean can make their home smart by installing smart home devices and applications.

This new smart home system can use sensors to track the movements of elderly family members while they are at home and notify users if they have health problems or fall. In addition, the system also allows monitoring the use of household appliances such as lights, televisions, refrigerators, etc. and sends notifications via phone messages when they are still operating when no one is home and allows users to turn on/off devices remotely to ensure safety.

Smart lamp post

Singapore is now aiming to make its streets smarter by installing smart lampposts.

These new types of lamp posts are equipped with sensors and analysis systems. With the help of sensors, it is possible to monitor environmental changes such as temperature, rainfall and humidity. In addition, there will also be noise sensors that can respond to loud noises such as someone shouting or a car accident.

Furthermore, Singapore is currently planning to equip smart lampposts with facial recognition sensors to enhance safety on Singapore's streets.

Using robots to replace humans

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of foreign workers in Singapore has decreased significantly, causing the country to consider robots as an alternative solution.

According to the International Federation of Robotics' 2021 report, Singapore has 605 robots per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry, making it the second-highest robot count globally, behind only South Korea with 932. Robots are now present in a variety of settings in Singapore, including construction sites, the National Library, MRT stations, and even cafes.

Introducing industrial robots is just the first step towards creating a smart workplace. Recently, students and staff at Ngee Ann Polytechnic developed a robot called “RoboCoach” that can provide physical training to the elderly.

In addition, Singapore is also making efforts to introduce robots into the healthcare sector to improve patient care. For example, robots have been used to dispense medication, making the process faster and reducing patient waiting times at pharmacies.

Cashless payment

Smart living will help people enjoy convenience in every aspect of life. That is why Singapore is moving towards cashless payment methods to help people avoid carrying cash and standing in long queues at ATMs.

Today, Singaporeans can pay via QR codes at restaurants or retail stores using just their smartphones. In fact, with the rise of cashless payments, people will gradually stop carrying cash with them.

Electronic payments and cashless payment methods are now widely used across the country, bringing Singapore one step closer to becoming a cashless nation.

Application of virtual reality technology

When it comes to the concept of smart cities or smart nations, it is impossible not to mention the most popular trends today, which are virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology.

Because VR and AR combine the virtual and real worlds, businesses can engage remote users with their products. Today, every Singaporean can try on clothes, apply makeup, and even buy additional home furnishings with the touch of a smartphone.

Singapore’s most ambitious VR project is Virtual Singapore. Virtual Singapore is a dynamic three-dimensional (3D) city model and collaborative data platform, including a 3D map of Singapore. When completed, Virtual Singapore will be a 3D digital platform for use by the public, private sector, citizens and researchers. It will enable users from different sectors to develop sophisticated tools and applications for testing concepts and services, planning and decision-making, and research into technologies to address emerging and complex challenges facing Singapore.

Besides, VR also brings many opportunities for the entertainment industry. Singapore is home to the world's leading virtual reality development companies. They bet on the huge opportunities brought by VR and have captivated gamers with new gaming experiences.