Smart cities have now become a reality of the present! Here are some of the must-have technologies in a smart city

Smart cities are not just a concept or dreams of the future, they are now a reality of the present. IoT, AI, and other disruptive technologies have made it possible for us to leverage technology and improve our living standards. Smart city initiatives can cover anything, from power distribution, transport systems, street lights, traffic, to even garbage collection.

Municipal governments are leveraging cellular and low power wide area (LPWAN) wireless technologies to connect and improve infrastructure for convenience and quality of life of the residents.

Here are some hi-tech initiatives that every smart city should have.

• Information and communications technology: Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extended term of information technology (IT) and involves the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications and computers that will enable the users to access, transmit, and leverage information.

• Internet of things (IoT): Society and industry have evolved with the emergence of multiple technologies, real-time analytics, machine learning, and embedded systems. In the consumer market, IoT is most synonymous with 'smart home' including devices and appliances that support one or more ecosystems. IoT can also be used in the healthcare system.

• OT security: With the evolution of networks, 5G and low latency are becoming more prevalent. OT security has grown, and the approaches and technologies differ greatly. Memory protector is a huge technology disruptor. This will enable secure effective microgrids, edge data centers, and IoT devices.

• Geospatial technology: Smart cities use geospatial technology to make urban environments more accessible and sustainable and detect disasters that affect the ecosystem. Depending on the needs of the citizens, this technology reacts to their demands through solutions in water, transport, powerplants, network supplies, and civil services, to name a few.

• Artificial intelligence: AI and IoT, together can be used to be implemented for smart traffic solutions. This will ensure that the residents of the city can efficiently reach one destination from another. For example, Los Angeles is one of the most congested cities in the world. It has installed road-surface sensors and closed-circuit television cameras for the central traffic management system.

• Blockchain: With the swift growth of urbanization, smart cities need efficient and sustainable solutions for transportation, environment, security. Blockchain's features of extensive storage and distribution make up for the disadvantages caused due to the data center's high operation cost, poor recovery ability, and the maintenance of IoT support.

• 5G: This is one of the most crucial and biggest technologies that will help make the smart city revolution possible. It will allow connecting millions of devices combined with high-speed connections. Smart cities would be able to use self-driving cars and optimize mass transit systems. Utilizing AR and VR technologies will customers tour museums and whatnot!

• LPWAN-enabled infrastructure: Large-scale wireless networks like LPWAN and 5G are the key to massive data communications for smart cities in the future. Serving millions of residents through intricate communication networks and infrastructure requires seamless data-driven operations. LPWAN will be the core connector of the smart city's infrastructure.

• Smart cameras: Smart cameras have been one of the most prominent technologies that a smart city should implement. These cameras are used in the form of connected street cameras, first responders' bodycams, vehicles' dash-cams, smart cameras are essential to observe potholes, and investigate the root cause of fires.

• Contactless technology: Contactless technology is programmed to be used in smart cities to facilitate contactless payments, deliveries, meter readings, and preventive health. It will be essential both in terms of saving money and time, and to enhance public health and safety at the same time.