The technological and social changes that have taken place in recent years are unparalleled in history – our ever-changing and complex society is a testament to those changes. But, while fluidity and complexity underpin the vibrancy of any given city, they also pose a challenge to order, security, and safety at all levels of society.City officials have long grappled with trying to maintain this balance – as unobtrusively as possible of course.
Korean Software Developer ESE thinks it has found a type of “control system” to manage all the elements of a city –infrastructure and disaster response systems for example. Rino, an open type platform for smart management was developed to manage everything from day to day traffic to emergency situations – an event control tower of sorts. Called “Smart Center Platform,” ESE’s President Park Kyoung-sik likens it to the difference between old-fashioned cell phones and modern day smartphones. He explains, “Before, if a cellphone user wanted new functions, the only option was to buy a new phone. Now, by installing a new application or in some cases deleting one, the smartphone of today offers a variety of services like navigation, music player, camera, etc. Rino is very much like this smartphone.”
Google Android or Apple iOS are open type platforms that allow the flexibility and versatility of apps, and in much the same way, users of Rino are able to install different types of control applications and operate them like apps on a smartphone.
Rino’s Smart Operations System (Rino SOS) consists of seven modules that include a situation transmission module for event occurrences and a work flow management module; Rino FMS is a facility management module used in conjunction with an ioT sensor; Rino EMS is an energy management system; Rino SMS is a security management system; Rino VMS is a video management system that collects and analyzes CCTV images; Rino GIS offers accurate visual GIS control environments; Rino UXP is an integrated monitoring dashboard and offers customized screen layouts; and Rino WCS is the wall control system.
By mixing and matching these modules, the makers of Rino say users will be able to create a control system that is convenient (because it can be harmonized with existing system or devices); easy to construct (because it offers a unified integrated control environment based on an integrated control system); and economical (because it alleviates duplicate functions and is easily blended with existing systems to reduce installation and operation costs).
Some control system examples include an integrated disaster safety center to be put into action in the event of a natural disaster (or other emergency situation). A traffic control center could be set up to provide real-time traffic flow information. A crime prevention control center would monitor illegal parking and other traffic violations, illegal trash dumping and more serious crimes such as violence and abductions.Similar centers could be set up to monitor and control passenger cars and trains, as well as a Metropolitan building management center to manage power and lighting, among others.
As the water crisis in Flint, Michigan has revealed, the effects of mismanagement are devastating. And, with most large cities around the globe expanding and becoming ever more complex, the probability of a large-scale crisis is increased. The need to update their management systems is a genuine and legitimate concern – but not always financially feasible. President Park Kyoung-sik is certain about what he sees as the future of these cities. “A smart city,” he explains, “requires smart management.”And he clearly envisions Rino playing a key role in a kind of City Integrated Management Center.
