From Smart Homes to Smart Cities: The Impact of AI and IoT on Urban Living

For so long, we dreamed through TV shows, books, and magazines about futuristic, smart cities where technology has made life much simpler. Now, in 2023, crowded cities around the world have made urban living so complicated that we need cutting-edge solutions to provide health services and resources to all. 

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (AI) have taken center stage, giving us a glimpse into a world where we can live green, enjoy better public and personal security, and get rid of those irritating traffic jams!

Now, you may wonder, “How can AI and IoT improve urban living in smart cities?” Keep reading to find out.

The Role of AI and IoT in Smart Cities

Now, it’s time to go deep and talk about the role of AI and IoT in smart cities. There are many aspects to consider, but these three will suffice for now.

Utilities

AI will assist governments in reducing the prices of services by giving them more control over machinery, pipelines, and other amenities. AI can determine the city's usage trends, and authorities may use the information to improve and improve service at peak periods and minimize the workload during periods of declining demand.

City Parking

Many countries around the world struggle with parking. When you visit a market, parking your car is difficult. By gathering real-time data from the sensors and revealing parking data on any public website or app, AI, and IoT can be useful in solving this issue. When AI has collected sufficient data, it can help drivers by offering real-time parking spots nearby.

Energy Resource Management

In order to analyze and monitor how people and companies utilize energy, smart cities can use the power of AI. This data is then used to make judgments on where to deploy renewable sources and show officials where they usually waste energy.

IoT technologies may be used to improve infrastructure so that citizens are involved in service oversight. Sensors, systems, and apps collect data on traffic, air quality, and energy use. Such data can help with pattern prediction and correction. Making such information widely accessible through open-access technologies enables people and entities to use it for their own purposes.

Smart Homes and Their Contribution to Smart Cities 

Smart homes are not necessarily limited to CCTV cameras, smart lighting, and air conditioners behind closed doors. Naturally, maintaining the privacy and security of networks is essential for city-wide safety.

For instance, using a smart thermostat to track your home's comfort level can help you cut costs in the future. However, if you extend that idea on a smart city scale, municipalities can keep track of energy use patterns and surges throughout the neighborhood, offering more sensible, equitable pricing in addition to preventing many ecological disasters.

IoT has the potential to significantly increase safety. Smart smoke and fire alarms might, in the event of an emergency, instantly alert the fire department and neighbors. In order to discourage crime, alert the police, and provide proof in the case of a break-in.

Benefits of AI and IoT in Smart Cities

Now, it’s time to talk about some of the more tangible benefits of AI and IoT in smart cities, particularly those relating to sustainability.

Traffic Control

To gather information on traffic patterns, jams, and collisions, IoT sensors may be set up on traffic signals, roads, and cars. Such sensors can enhance traffic flow, minimize traffic jams, and increase road safety. Different sensor data segments (plus smartphone GPS data) reveal the position and speed of cars. Plus, such data can help predict low-traffic routes and avoid possible congestion.

Waste Management

Waste removal companies utilize IoT-powered systems to check garbage levels and fuel consumption in real-time to improve pickup dates and routes. To track the amount of fill and improve garbage pickup directions, IoT sensors may be put in trash cans, lowering expenses and having a smaller negative impact on the environment.

Every dumpster has a sensor built in it that keeps track of garbage levels. A smartphone app instantly notifies the truck driver when it is getting close to the limit, allowing him to empty a full bin rather than a half-filled one.

Green Energy

Smart cities control and save precious resources by using sustainable sources and monitoring consumption levels. Such energy sources highly depend on smart industrial IoT gateways that support officials and people in regulating consumption. Smart turbines, street lights, and solar panels are just a few examples of the benefits of smart cities for sustainability.

Challenges of Implementing AI and IoT in Smart Cities

Despite undeniable benefits to implementing AI and IoT in smart cities, not all countries can enjoy them because there are certain global and country-specific challenges that make it hard to properly implement AI and IoT in urban living. Here are the top three:

Access to Infrastructure

The amount of technology adoption in every country is different. For instance, when it comes to infrastructure, Eastern European countries lag behind the Western part. For instance, by jumping on blockchain technology, Finland has surpassed countries like the United States. So, most countries need a better infrastructure to fully take advantage of AI and IoT.

Ethical Issues

The most crucial problem with using AI in urban living may be ethics. Big data and AI are constantly accompanied by security and surveillance concerns. Based on the EU's position as a trailblazer with the GDPR, they will go to great lengths to guarantee the ethical application of AI.

Difference or Conflict in Regulations

Smart cities can function much better if they all operate under a single regulatory framework. But, every city is different in terms of energy and transportation infrastructure, which makes it difficult to seamlessly integrate all the companies and energy facilities into one unified whole. 

AI & IoT for the Future

The impact of AI and IoT has grown so much in recent years that governments cannot overlook their benefits in transportation, infrastructure, public safety, and most importantly, sustainability. As we move towards the future, more and more companies will look to IoT and AI capabilities to solve their long-lasting problems and give their citizens better living standards.

So, naturally, now is the perfect time for your business to move in early and guarantee your success in the market. To do that, you need a team of experts by your side to navigate regulatory and technological challenges. We at LANARS can do that for you. You just need to contact us.