IoT To Drive India’s Smart City Creation: KPMG

Cities across the world are developing at an unprecedented rate. Many towns and cities are beginning to introduce technology to improve the daily lives of inhabitants in a move to become smart cities. From New York in the U.S. to Palava in India, smart cities are providing a new way of living and working and increasingly relying on the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected devices to offer services to citizens.

A recent report by KPMG in association with Exhibitions India Group, highlights how Internet of Things can lead to more improved, smarter cities and what are the key trends, challenges and opportunities in this area.

The report titled: “Internet of Things in Smart cities” highlights that technologies such as Mobile Internet, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-security, Edge computing, Predictive analysis, Cognitive computing, Digital literacy and IoT platforms, are driving the smart city story.

The impact of Internet of Things on smart cities can be tremendous, the study says. It helps cities mobilize infrastructure and processes which are smart solutions in alignment with the city’s vision. It further allows a city to manage its assets and monitor city life and also support cities measure and optimize audit and build capacity for efficient management

However, the need of the hour is an Internet of Things policy framework for smart cities, says the study throwing light on the following area:

1. • Demonstration centres and Centers of Excellence – Need to develop and showcase industry use cases utilizing various technologies for promotion of Internet of Things across various domains like connected cities, water management, environmental regulations, remote health, waste management, safety, etc.
   • Capacity building and incubation centres – Incubation centres need to aid in capacity building through availability of hardware design tools, wireless development kits, application sensors, software tools, etc. allowing research funding, test labs, international collaborations, participation in international committees and events
   • Human Resource development – IoT awareness and education will allow widespread utilisation and work force building
   • Standards development – Framework to certify all aspects of Internet of Things will require implementation of relevant standards related to technology, processes, interoperability and services. Secondly, creation of an expert committee for development and adoption of IoT standards in the country
   • Governance structure – Framework for managing and monitoring deployment, usage and legal aspects of IoT will require an Advisory Committee to ensure compliance to standards and keep pace with technological advancements and a Governance Committee to ensure legal, regulatory and trade compliances

According to KPMG researchers, in order for Internet of Things to be a success in a smart city, it must adhere to the principle of 4 Cs which are:

1. • Creative: Be innovative to solve urban needs using state of the art technology
   • Correlated: Allow to work in tandem with various city services creating a mesh of citizen needs rather than existing in silos
   • Collaborative: Induce participative and equitable behavior inculcating strong sense of ownership
   • Certified: Secure, safe usage ensuring privacy of citizens and stakeholders

Elias George, Chairman – Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare, KPMG in India, said, “The expected widespread adoption of ‘ Internet of Things’ (IOT) will prove to be a seminal factor in improving the efficacy of urban infrastructure, as well as in improving the quality of services to the citizen, thereby enhancing the livability of a city.”

George believes that the induction of IOT into the urban setting is also expected to ensure more optimal management and utilization of public resources, in addition to making city services like urban transit more customer-centric. “All said and done, IOT is expected to become a key factor in making a city truly smart, and more livable,” he said.

 Further IoT solutions for cities must be evaluated on the basis of user-centric focus, secure and robust solutions, encouraging digital equity, collaboration and citizenship, ease of use and user experience and financing and value realization, in order to ensure its early and smooth adoption, the study says.