NEC tech boost for Singapore’s SMRT buses

• IoT, video analytics and SDN solutions to be showcased at interchange
• NEC and SMRT had previously worked together on Singapore’s first telematics system

 
NEC Asia Pacific said it will be implementing a suite of technologies for Singapore public transport service provider SMRT Buses Ltd, at the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange.
 
In a ‘Living Lab’ concept, the bus interchange will showcase how the fusion of different technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), video analytics and software-defined networking (SDN) solutions come together to provide real-time gathering of intelligent information to improve commuter experience and bus transportation services, NEC said in a statement.
 
“SMRT Buses is constantly seeking innovative ways to better serve our commuters and communities along our bus network,” said SMRT Buses vice president Tan Kian Heong.
 
“We do so by working with industry partners like NEC Asia Pacific to leverage on big data analytics, infocomms and telematics technology to run bus services with improved safety, reliability, and operational and cost efficiencies,” he added.
 
Via interactive information panels, NEC Asia Pacific has implemented the Passenger Information System which provides real-time bus and train departure timings, in addition to bus service traffic footage.
 
Other features include bus route, fares and estimated travelling time; map and journey planner; 3D directory and vicinity location finder; customer feedback and virtual assistance; as well as charging of mobile devices, according to the company.
 
NEC Asia Pacific and SMRT Buses have commenced trials on other features such as video analytics technology and face- and fingerprint-matching technology, NEC said.
 
These are expected to be fully implemented by end of the year.
 
For the safety and security of commuters, video analytics technology will be used to analyse changing behavioural patterns of people and age/ gender profiles of people. These data can also help in bus schedule planning and optimisation, NEC claimed.
 
SDN solutions will be used to manage the complex and sophisticated IT system at the temporary bus interchange.
 
“Since 2014, NEC and SMRT have worked together to implement Singapore’s first telematics system,” said NEC Asia Pacific managing director Lim Kok Quee.
 
“We are happy to continue to build on this relationship with SMRT to co-create and implement NEC’s suite of innovative technologies at the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange,” he added.
 
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