New Innovative Connectivity Solutions are Transforming Ireland
Innovation in the private sector often gets all the lime light, but the increasing scale of innovation in the Irish public sector cannot go unnoticed. From mobility, eHealth, security, and automation, the new wave of connectivity solutions in the Irish public sphere is quickly gathering pace. This new wave of transformational connectivity solutions have, and are continuing to provide benefits to the Irish community.
Here are just a few examples:
1. The rise of smart cities and smart government
Data and technology, such as Internet of Things (a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines with the ability to transfer data over a network without any human interaction), are the focal of smart cities and government. These systems are already underway in Cork, Dublin and Galway to improve operational efficiencies, reduce pollution, improve sustainability, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
2. Intelligent transport systems and automated driving
New smart transport technologies are paving the way for better informed, safer, more coordinated transportation networks. Although there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding autonomous vehicles, automotive technology company, Veleo, will be testing self-driving vehicles on campus at NUI Galway’s College of Engineering in various weather and lighting conditions.
3. Enabling the strategic use of ICT to deliver improved health care
5G will allow caregivers to be able to perform remote monitoring and treatment at anytime. By installing sensors to wearable devices there is a greater potential to advance remote treatment, possibly freeing up hospital beds. High-speed connectivity can also shift patient care from hospitals to local GPs. For example, new technology has been introduced to facilitate local GP’s in sending and receiving large medical imageries and files at their practice, again, potentially freeing up hospital beds and appointments. This is especially crucial for the management of chronic health conditions, where the careful monitoring of patients can be critical in preventing disorders from progressing to life-threatening levels.
4. Connected learning
Mobile technology has the ability to enable, support and enhance access to education, by providing the best educators to remote or underprivileged communities. As it goes without saying, access to technology plays a critical role in enabling educational opportunities.
