In a smart city, we are going to see improved communication in every sense of the word. From making signs and adverts more accessible to people with disabilities, to helping you merge the online and offline world so that you can find out what is in stock without having to wait for a store clerk to be available. One could spend hours thinking about the many ways modern digital signs, interactive signs, two-way communication platforms can help create smart cities, but what is rarely addressed is how it is happening already. We are not talking about concepts that are years in the future; we are talking about smart city innovation that is already happening and succeeding.
Software Developers Leading the Way in Smart City Technology
Back in the 80s and 90s, we thought it was hardware that would lead us towards an automated lifestyle. We made movies about robots going rogue because we thought hardware was the way forwards. However, the modern era has shown us that software is what will drive future automation. It is the big data developers, the machine learning developers and the programming gurus who will shape our automated future. We have the hardware. It is now up to the software developers and engineers to put it to use.
It is companies like Kitcast that are pushing us closer to a “Blade Runner”, “Fifth Element”, “Minority Report” variety of smart city. They already have the sort of software that can mimic the billboards and digital signs you see on most futuristic movies. It allows you to bring cities to life with digital signage software that supports interactive, dynamic and data driven services, content and adverts. It won't be too long before we see the holographic adverts from Minority Report where they recognize you as you walk by (although it probably gets annoying after a while).
The 3D Signs in Tokyo Are A Great Start
The 3D sign in Tokyo is not that complex or high-tech. It is just a billboard with a very cleverly framed image being projected on it, but it is a perfect example of how innovation is driving a modern smart city. We have had the hardware for years, but its clever and ingenious use is what turns a regular advert into one that draws international attention.
Now consider McDonalds and their innovation that has somehow slipped under the radar. Quite a while ago, McDonald restaurants started adding digital signs that were touch screen. You make your order and you can even pay using a bank card, credit card, Google Pay or a contactless card. It prints off your order number and you wait for your number to be called.
This seemingly simple innovation was a game changer and has set a trend for how many high-footfall quick-turnaround will now operate. We are now seeing this sort of thing in a variety of stores. Even the catalog chain “Argos” in the United Kingdom has changed from a paper catalog system to a digital sign system, where you look through their goods almost like looking through a page on Amazon, except you pay at the sign and they give you a number for you to wait to pick up your stuff.
Where Do We Go From Here?
As mentioned in the introduction, most of the things we consider futuristic are already happening. Everything from voice activated lifts to personalized greetings from the digital sign on your door. But, what of the things that are not yet seeing widespread adoption?
Again, this is too big of a subject to cover in depth, but a few examples include emergency services integration, city ad revenue, traffic management and advanced travel enhancements.
Emergency Services Integration
We could see some real innovation for things like showing emergency services which apartment a person is in, perhaps with signs helping direct services to each apartment. We already have very good evacuation integration, but very little that helps police, fire and ambulance staff to find the emergency area.
City Ad Revenue
There are still lots of legal issues surrounding adverts that are paid to the city. There are legal problems considering how each advert may reflect on a city, and there are matters of decency, such as we don’t really want adverts running in schools, hospitals, churches, etc. Nevertheless, we are almost at the stage where bus shelters can have digital signs so why not other government and city buildings?
Traffic Management
We already see digital and light-based signs that help traffic, but they could do so much more. With the right investment, we could quickly and easily inform traffic of the fastest routes, of the most open lanes, and of redirected traffic. Imagine driving on a road and seeing signs that change depending on traffic levels or road closures. Rather than having to follow a bunch of temporary signs, the signs on the road actually change to show you where to go.
Advanced Travel Enhancement
We are already seeing digital signs and interactive elements in airports and train stations, but so much more could be done. Even if they simply expanded the digital selling booths to include travel plans, safety plans, translations and so forth. It would be so much less stressful if you could enter a busy train station in a scary part of a new country and know that the digital signs will tell you where to go, how much you need to spend, what you need to do, what time you should do it, and it tells you all of this in your own language. Wouldn't that be awesome?
