Google has just invested $50 million in its first smart city project, making over the Toronto waterfront where its Canadian HQ is located. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the five U.S cities to begin efforts in becoming fully connected cities with smart road and transport capabilities. And Milton Keynes in the UK has just signed a new contract with Yinchuan (one of China’s first smart cities) to roll out 5G technology trials and to gain support for digital businesses in the region.
So the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) and complete connectivity with millions of devices streaming data, is very much a reality.
Here are 7 things that you can expect to happen with the smart cities of the future:
1. Smart Heating
Intelligent heating systems will help us create greener ways to live. Allowing us to adjust heating levels in every room, reducing energy consumption throughout the house. And with remote activation, so you can adjust temperature controls from your smartphone or app.
2. Smart Appliances
From fridge/freezers that notify you when milk is running low to vacuum cleaners that start cleaning with remote activation from your mobile phone, there are so many ways that smart appliances can make life easier.
3. Connected Street Lights
Street lights will be designed to be eco-friendly and intelligent, using LED technology, reducing costs and enhancing user experience.
4. Drone Deliveries
Drones could replace courier services and food delivery networks, so pizza or Chinese fans could expect their takeaways to be dropped in from the sky. New Zealand has already been trialling the Domino’s Drone.
5. Flying Taxis
The futuristic flying car that we have all seen in movies is a lot closer than we think. Uber aims to trial its first on-demand, zero emission flying car in Dubai and Dallas, Texas in 2020. With a view of rolling it out to the rest of the world in 2023.
6. Talking Buildings
Connected appliances is just the first step in the plan for smart cities. Buildings will eventually have in-built A.I and will be able to respond to human interaction. So turning down the heating or dimming the lights will be easily done via voice control.
7. Smart Ports
By the year 2060, ports could dramatically reduce the time, admin and logistics required to move cargo around. A proposed ‘hyperloop’ will move containers around across the efficiently, making trade between different countries a truly accessible and cost-friendly possibility.