2014 Global Smart Infrastructure - Smart Cities and Artificial Intelligence the Way Forward

Smart Cities and Artificial Intelligence – The Global Transformation has Begun

Transforming our cities into the Smart Cities of the future will encompass incorporating technologies and key digital developments all linked by machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions and real-time data analytics which sit under the umbrella term of the Internet of Things. Smart cities however must be underpinned by the appropriate ICT infrastructure based on fibre optic and high-speed wireless technologies, which is well underway in many developed cities around the world.

This infrastructure allows for the development of smart communities; supporting connected homes; intelligent transport systems; e-health; e-government and e-education; smart grids and smart energy solutions – just to name a few of the exciting solutions smart cities will incorporate. Many of the technological advancements emerging around the world today can, and will be, applied to smart cities. Artificial Intelligence; Electric Vehicles; Autonomous Vehicles; Mobile applications; Drones; Wearable and Smart devices and so on are just some of the key developments to watch.

Artificial Intelligence developments are accelerating and as more companies enter this sector and start investments to develop it - we will see further astonishing innovations emerging over the next few years. AI applications are already being used in healthcare and gaming, just to name two sectors adopting this cutting edge technology.

Smart Transport, also known as Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) increase the safety and efficiency of transport networks – from public bus, tram and train transport, to rail and road freight transport, and private and commercial road transport. ITS systems include the software and hardware for electronic vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and information systems. In 2014 there are already hundreds of thousands Electric Vehicles (EV) on the road around the world and by 2015 there may be more than 2.5 million Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) in operation. It is thought that the business sector may become a key driver to the uptake of PEVs once the market is further developed and becomes a viable solution for enterprise fleets.

Unmanned aircraft (drones) are also certainly going to play to larger part in global developments and have many potential applications for the smart communities of the future. While most countries currently restrict the use of drone devices – it is thought that this will change quickly once the applications for such technology fully emerge and can be properly regulated. Agriculture applications in particular offer huge opportunities for drone usage along with telecommunications; defence; traffic management; surveillance; mapping; emergency services; weather monitoring; resources exploration and environmental analysis.

The development of smart cities and indeed smart countries requires vision and recognition of the fact that many of today’s social, economic and sustainability problems can only be solved with the assistance of ICT. In many situations the uniqueness, affordability, capacity, robustness, security and quality necessary for this calls for fibre optic and high-speed wireless infrastructures. This need will increase dramatically over the next 5 to 10 years as industries and whole sectors (healthcare, energy, transport, water) carry out the process of transforming themselves in order to much better address the challenges ahead.

BuddeComm’s new report, Global Smart Infrastructure – Smart Cities and Artificial Intelligence the Way Forward, provides important insights into why smart communities and smart cities are required for a future as populations increase and place further pressure on the world’s resources and infrastructure. This unique report also includes information on smart transport; smart buildings and connected homes; wearable devices and sensors; M2M, Big Data and artificial intelligence developments – supported by case studies and examples where applicable. Please note: for Smart Grid information, see separate annual publication.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year