In line with Singapore’s ambition to become the first Smart Nation in the world, the housing board plans to try out new technologies in existing HDB estates, revealed a Channel NewsAsia report.
According to HDB chief Cheong Koon Hean, it is vital to test out these technologies in actual homes to get feedback from the families living there. Through their inputs, the offerings can be fine-tuned and implemented in greenfield sites.
Through such trials, the government can also gauge if the residents are willing to integrate these new technologies into their daily lives.
While there are many new smart technologies that can be piloted in HDB estates, the agency will focus on those geared towards healthcare and those that can improve the lives and safety of the elderly, such as systems that allow caregivers to remotely monitor the health of senior citizens. Another priority is on systems for managing water and power consumption.
HDB is already conducting these trials at its Centre of Building Research in Woodlands, which has been dubbed ‘The Kitchen’.
Currently, 17 companies are taking part in the programme including StarHub, Samsung and LG Electronics.
“Today we can have a fridge with sensors. And that would allow us to maybe measure the inventory in our fridge. Now to provide better services, we can now connect the inventory activities to a grocer and then that would save me a trip to the grocery store,” said Andy Sim, Samsung Electronics’ Vice President and head of enterprise business.
Details of the plans including when and where it will be started will be announced at a later date.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
