Next Generation Smart City Solutions Help Protect Citizens

With governments and institutions putting data to work to improve the lives of residents and workforces, smart cities were already on the rise at the start of the 21st century. From artificial intelligence(AI)-backed emergency response operations to traffic management solutions and tracking carbon emissions, technology is helping cities improve lives today.

Combined with rising smartphone use worldwide, advances in AI technology used to track and analyze large data sets, and lowering costs for implementing smart city solutions, the way that cities use technology to improve health and safety is set for huge advancements this year. And as security professionals look to respond to growing threats worldwide, mobility and connectivity are at the heart of improved security efforts.

Smart City Security: Mobility, Connection, and AI

More than 66% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities by 2050. As populations grow, mobile technology solutions that support and connect law enforcement personnel are growing in importance. That’s why a central component to implementing cost-effective smart city solutions is a strong digital network.

As police budgets and resources stretch, a greater reliance on technologies that help security personnel share, collect, store and use data to respond to threats quickly and efficiently is also needed.

According to Gerhard Schaub, president of the Police Officers Association in Zurich, Switzerland, “Police work is turning out to become increasingly digitized, and the way we worked 40 years ago is not an efficient way to ensure the security of a city. Police need access to systems that are designed to be used across borders to more effectively fight crime.”

As the amount of data collected daily by cities and individuals grows, a reliance on AI technologies to monitor and understand that data becomes essential. Independent and disconnected security solutions no longer offer the tools security professionals need.

For example, a security camera that doesn’t also analyze the footage and alert officers when something important is recorded, just adds more work to officers’ busy schedules. New integrated and connected systems offer a smarter and more effective approach.

From identifying environmental patterns to improving transportation infrastructure, AI serves as the backbone of smart city solutions. With new mobile technology solutions collecting more information than ever before and with cloud storage solutions offering cost-effective ways to store and share data, AI-backed tools are helping cities better understand and use that data. Across the globe, cities are incorporating machine learning, data analytics, visualization, and smart connected technologies to develop real-time, dynamic systems that learn and self-regulate.

Ekin’s smart city security solutions use AI-backed data collection and analysis tools to simplify implementation and use by law enforcement. The company’s Red Eagle operating system connects mobile devices, data capture and analysis, and reporting tools to streamline citywide security, from traffic management to surveillance cameras, with centralized management and communication across systems. For example, it allows law enforcement agencies and teams to compare footage from different locations across the city using multiple devices.

Traffic Management and Smart Cities

Smart city technologies offer affordable, long-term solutions for traffic management, including optimizing infrastructure, reducing congestion, improving air quality by reducing carbon emissions, and lowering traffic accident rates. That’s why traffic management continues to serve as a central component to smart city development and the technology that supports it will continue to dominate the future of the industry.

Law enforcement agencies tasked with managing traffic flow as well as driver and pedestrian safety are seeking more proactive solutions that help prevent congestion and accidents before they happen. For example, ALPR technology helps reduce the time it takes to identify violators who disrupt the flow of traffic. When it is combined with mobile security solutions that offer citywide connectivity, law enforcement professionals gain the ability to not only detect a violation but also quickly and efficiently respond.

ALPR and speed detection technology dominate the field when it comes to smart traffic solutions. However, cities have varying levels and needs with respect to smart traffic management solutions, so delivering solutions that are customizable and work within a city’s current model is necessary. Moreover, training is needed as new solutions are implemented to ensure they are used to the maximum benefit.

Centralized data collection management is another rising trend in smart traffic management. What truly brings smart enforcement tools like speed enforcement and ALPR to the next level is extensive data analytics. Using AI and high-resolution video sensors, any city can become a smart city.

With the analysis of traffic patterns and behaviors, vehicle classification, rush-hour congestion points, peak traffic hours, average time spent in traffic, and daily traffic flow management, congestion points and problem spots can be identified, enabling cities to improve traffic flow and prevent accidents. Advanced traffic management functions from tailgating to color detection are next-generation smart traffic management functions that already started to get implemented globally.

Who is Ekin - Next Generation Smart City Solutions?

Ekin - Next Generation Smart City Solutions was founded in 1998 and has since grown to become a world leader in safe and smart city technologies.

With its AI-based technologies, Ekin provides high-quality solutions for tackling traffic management, public safety, and environmental analysis for authorities from federal governments to private institutions.

Along with Ekin Holding AG, the company has offices in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the MENA regions.

Their current range of physical products include:

• Ekin Patrol G2: A patrol device-mounted smart surveillance system designed as a lightbar.
• Ekin X Spotter: A portable license plate recognition system.
• Ekin Bike Patrol: A bicycle-mounted smart ALPR and parking management system.
• Ekin Box Spotter: A fixed smart speed enforcement and ALPR system.
• Ekin Spotter: A smart city device capable of providing a wealth of real-time information from traffic management to environmental analysis like monitoring a location's Air Quality Index, humidity, etc. It can even be used as a charging point for electric vehicles or to communicate directly with a central management system.

Over the last 20 years, Ekin’s smart solutions have been certified by international experts, winning over 30 prestigious awards for excellence in design, innovation, corporate attitude, and export.