New technologies to make urban living more convenient and efficient
A joint development between Bulgaria Development Holdings and ZTE’s subsidiary ZTEICT, smart city Project St. Sofia’s unique feature is its function as a new model for city-industry integration, using the latest technologies in its design and operation.
By using ZTEICT’s solutions, Project St. Sofia will become Europe’s first-ever smart city by using cloud computing, big data and internet of things technology, where smart devices will be connected to collect and exchange data.
“Cloud computing is the future, and with Project St. Sofia, we intend to make this complex a smart city for others to follow,” said Zhang Zhenhui, executive vice-president and general manager of global marketing at ZTE.
“We can make this development one of the most technologically advanced. Through cloud computing, we could help to make visitors’ lives even better and at the same time become more efficient in the use of energy and resources,” Zhang said.
Through installing and implementing internet of things sensors in this new multi-pronged development, a big data cloud platform encompasses a number of service applications to provide innovative people-centric technological solutions relating to business, vocational training, education, hospitality, residential, healthcare, and public utilities.
“For me, technology is a tool to help people to enhance their everyday experiences,” said Albert Hung Chao Hong, vicepresident of Bulgaria Development Holdings.
“Our plan is to demonstrate connectivity and convenience as well as efficiency and energy-saving in Project St. Sofia,” Hung added.
He explained that connectivity is achieved through an impressive fiber-optic network, which acts as a backbone for a host of connected services. This also provides visitors with citywide Wi-Fi, so that they can always be connected, such as reminders for users to attend activities, and for patients to obtain the latest health advice, or to register for their next medical or fitness consultation.
When it comes to convenience, Hung explained that hotel guests can avoid queuing for check-in and instead obtain mobile keyless entry to their rooms. All customers can settle cashless payments via their smartphones, order deliveries online and even shop for the latest fashions using virtual dressing room technology. Drivers can use technology to quickly identify empty parking spaces and pay online immediately.
Technology contributes to making lives more efficient, and with Project St. Sofia becoming a smart city, high-tech solutions can help commuters plan the best route and manage traffic patterns, or can propose the best restaurants and sporting activities, as well as personalized entertainment based on one’s preferences. This is achieved through tracking and aggregating information as the person uses the services both on and offline.
Hung said Project St. Sofia will have energy-saving benefits, as internet of things sensors will monitor and optimize energy consumption in the complex.
For example, lampposts will have sensors that determine when people are passing by underneath and will light up or dim according to movement. Sensors can monitor rain and humidity, allowing workers to determine how much water is needed in each area, thus optimizing the use of water resources.
A cloud data center will be established in Project St. Sofia and through virtual computing, storage and cloud operation management, high-tech solutions and services will be more easily accessible for users, from business, to retail tourism and healthcare.
By aggregating and analyzing the data, the results can further optimize public service standards and smart city management, increase cross-border cooperation, and links between Europe and Asia.