Singapore—A*STAR today announced a slew of new initiatives that contribute towards Singapore’s Smart Nation vision, including new partnerships across public and private sectors to strengthen Singapore’s capabilities in cybersecurity, energy and transport.
Four new research collaborations were unveiled today by Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR, at ICM Horizons 2014, an annual infocomm technology event hosted by A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R). This year’s event is themed “Innovating for a Smart Nation”. The event is co-organised with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).
Smarter Networks and Cybersecurity
Research pact with IDA: A*STAR and IDA today signed a Master Research Collaboration Agreement to architect and develop innovative technologies in Data Analytics, Cyber Security and Heterogeneous Networks (HetNet). These capabilities will play crucial roles in providing insights, security and connectivity for citizens, businesses and the government in a Smart Nation.
Advanced security and forensics lab:I2R and ST Electronics (Info-Security) will set up a joint laboratory collaboration to developadvanced security and forensics solutions to enhance the infocomm structure in Singapore. The partnership will support cyber security for the nation by developing solutions to prevent cyber threats and attacks. In addition, I2R is setting up a Cyber Security Research Centre.
Anchoring smart R&D in energy and transport
A*STAR also announced the additional collaboration agreements between I2R and its partners across regulatory agencies and the private sector to build a greener and safer Smart Nation.
Renewable energy systems: HDB, I2R, Singapore Power and Narada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop energy storage systems for solar-generated power, which will power HDB residences or supply electricity back to the grid. The collaboration will also lead to the development of reliable grid-scale energy storage systems for renewable energy supply.
Intelligent Transport Systems: I2R, Continental and TUM CREATE have established a joint laboratory to research, study and test-bed a range of communications, information and automative innovations that improve the safety, efficiency, and performance of transport systems in Singapore.
Urban Mobility Research Centre: A*STAR also launched the Urban Mobility Research Centre @I2R, or UMRC@I2R. The new centre brings together A*STAR’s multi-disciplinary research in urban mobile technologies for its Intelligent Transport Systems and Autonomous Vehicle programme to enhance the public transport commuting experience for urban travellers. The centre will function as a one-stop platform for close partnerships and collaboration with government agencies such as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and IDA and the industry.
Showcasing innovation for a Smart Nation
As part of ICM Horizons 2014, there will be a two-day exhibition showcasing home-grown innovations under various themes such as: Smart Security, Smart Health, Smart Grid, Smart Environment, Smart Living, Smart Mobility. These ICM technologies are the results of A*STAR researchers’ creative ideas to enable Singapore to manage future challenges.
Managing Director for IDA, Ms Jacqueline Poh, said, “As we build Singapore into a Smart Nation, it becomes increasingly important for us to innovate and if necessary invent the technologies and frameworks necessary to improve the lives of citizens. IDA is pleased to be working with our partners such as A*STAR to make this a reality.”
Prof Raj. Thampuran, Managing Director of A*STAR, said, “Inexorably, big data and analytics play a transformative role in helping public agencies improve day-to-day services. Forming key partnerships with industry enables a cooperative approach to challenge complex urban systems problems. A*STAR’s span of capabilities in data science can contribute to Singapore’s aspirations towards a Smart Nation.”
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Ms Doris Yang
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Tel: +65 6419 6525
Email: yangscd@scei.a-star.edu.sg
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