The Internet of things (IoT) is changing much about the world we live in from the way we drive to the way we make purchases and even how we get the energy to our homes. Sophisticated sensors and chips are embedded in the physical things that surround us!

But how precisely do all these devices share such large quantities of data in real-time updates to users? It’s the prevalent Internet of Things platform that brings diverse information together providing a common language for the devices and application to communicate with each other. Devices which securely communicate with an Internet of Things platform integrates the data from many devices and applies analytics to share data with applications that address each need.

Thus, benefits that can happen when intelligent devices share insights with other systems forming an ever-expanding systems of systems.

Communication: Just imagine, with the devices that we have today; – smartphones, laptops or tablets, we can connect almost every one of us on Earth. But have you ever thought of how we could connect with the daily objects too?

Singapore strives to become a Smart Nation with the advanced technology we have today. It helps to create more opportunities for innovation, building strong communities and improving the lives of citizens. The Internet of Things changes the perspective of “dumb” objects to enable it to communicate with people and other objects. Hence, connectivity plays a significant role in the Smart Nation vision.

In order to achieve Singapore’s vision; Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) with SPRING Singapore and the IT Standards Committee have set common technical standards integrating devices and systems together to support the use of the Internet of Things.

Impact: Even though the mobile penetration rate in Singapore is 150%, the forward-thinking nation is preparing the next generation of seamless connectivity.
Today, real-time transport data has brought exciting opportunities to public transport payments with near field communications-enabled mobile phones.

“We need to empower the commuters with information and information comes from data, where we share data openly with the public and developers, industry, entrepreneurs who can use those data to co-create solutions together with the government and actually benefit all Singapore citizens,” said the Director, Innovation & Smart Nation Office Land Transport Authority, Mr Huang Shao Fei in his interview with Smart Nation.

The Singapore government is harnessing the Internet of Things to make the environment more and more intelligent and interactive. Professor Toh at a panel discussion on IoT at the CommunicAsia Summit in 2015 said; “With smart sensing and smart meters, we will be able to generate useful data drive analytics and develop applications in smart living.

The Internet of Things trend has come and has changed our daily lives to be better each day. Gigabit fiber internet has been rolled out nationwide and pilots for new technologies. To be a smart nation means to continue to evolve so Singapore is going to be making great progress for years and years ahead, to improve the lives of citizens.

This article is contributed by Siti Khadijah Sulaiman, Student of Northumbria University, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Computer and Network Technology