SMART cities are on the rise thanks to a global shift in environmental thinking and the ever increasing presence of the Internet of Things (IoT). Business and buildings are becoming more net carbon neutral, renewable energy applications are popping up everywhere, parks and greenery are a focus in urban areas, and SMART sensors are being implemented to maximize energy potential and minimize waste. As new SMART technologies and eco-friendly elements are added to day-to-day life, everything from traffic patterns to purchasing will improve and people will become happier and healthier.
In fact, SMART cities are making names for themselves on all continents around the world. In Barcelona, more than 100 active SMART city projects are in place: electric cars, open-source data networks, SMART traffic lights and LED street lamps, digitalized bus stops with free Wi-Fi and device charging ports, trash receptacles monitoring waste levels to make sure they are only emptied when they are full, and sensors that monitor humidity and rain to improve irrigation efforts, among others. London is home to nearly 400 smartphone apps designed to improve transportation, including maps, schedules, urban planning concepts, “congestion charging” through license plate recognition in city centers, SMART parking solutions, and public transport-prioritizing traffic lights.
Similarly, Seoul boasts under-road online electric vehicle technology (OLEV) that allows electric public buses to charge as they go, telehealthcare checkups for elderly and disabled patients, and SMART work centers to reduce commuting. Another South Korean SMART city, Songdo, is home to next-generation Wi-Fi, eco-buildings, IoT-enabled smart homes, underground waste processing facilities, and more. Other cities around the world—like Helsinki, Copenhagen and Singapore—are offering similar SMART technology solutions, proof that IoT and SMART living is only going to become more prevalent as time goes on.
SMART technology is revolutionizing business and retail practices. Offices can now implement SMART sensors that will recognize an individual’s smart device and automatically adjust lighting and temperature settings to match that person’s preferences. Shopping carts will scan items that are lowered into them, creating a running tally of purchasable items, registering the total, and charging patrons through a smartphone app as they leave the retail establishment. Street lighting brightens and dims as pedestrians pass to help reduce crime rates and enhance individuals’ well-being. The applications are endless.
GRE Alpha’s LED powering solutions are driving the evolution of SMART lighting. With LED dimming that can match any ambiance or application in either indoor or outdoor settings, LED lighting can be paired with SMART technology to accomplish more than ever. SMART LED lighting will automatically brighten or lower in a variety of colorings based on time of day or the preferences of the person in the room. It will illuminate when connected to a motion detector, enhancing home security systems and alerting smart phones when that sensor is activated. These applications and many more pair perfectly with the rise of IoT and SMART technology, making GRE Alpha a preferred partner in the evolution of SMART lighting.
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Filed in: Industry