Adopt, create, innovate
If you’ve always wanted to encourage your child or an elderly relative to step into the digital age, the Tech Saturday exhibition on May 21 could be just the place to do this.
The tech carnival, which is organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), is a one-stop exhibition offering visitors a host of activities, like trying new apps and products as well as creating mini tech projects at the event’s Worksheds and Tinker Spaces.
While adopting and adapting to new technology is easier than one might first imagine, it’s just the first step in our journey towards becoming a Smart Nation.
EMBRACE RISK, NOT RECKLESSNESS
The issue isn’t one of developing new technology — that’s almost a certainty given the constant push to boost Singapore’s economy. Singapore has already invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to support a Smart Nation. It has, for instance, developed public wireless coverage and a nationwide high-speed broadband network.
The challenge, according to Mr Steve Leonard, IDA executive deputy chairman, is changing mindsets and embracing risk. “We don’t want to be reckless, but we want to be courageous [in driving innovation],” he said.
Speaking at Tableau Conference on Tour in Singapore last month, Mr Leonard pointed to an aversion of wading out into untested waters. While a low tolerance for failure would minimise the chances of any investments going to waste, it also minimises opportunities for discovering the Next Big Thing that could give Singapore an edge.
Such events — whether they’re Tech Saturday Worksheds or organised specifically for seniors at Community Clubs — are the first steps in changing mindsets. Apart from introducing participants to technology, such events can also encourage them to innovate.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
Events like Tech Saturday help bring technology closer to people. To further encourage the creative spark to take flight, other initiatives have been launched to give more regular exposure to technology.
For instance, the IDA Labs@NLB at the Jurong Regional Library was opened last year. Equipment at the 135sqm lab includes 3D printers and curated technology kits like the Raspberry Pi microcomputer and Arduino Uno microcontroller board. Visitors can create and experiment, as well as network and exchange ideas.
For technology enthusiast Henry Wong and his nine-year-old daughter Joyce, IDA Labs@NLB is an ideal space to create through play.
Said Mr Wong: “My daughter likes to create things with her glue gun and she’s now into technology and 3D printing, so this place is ideal for the family to spend some time together, tinkering around with the kits available and learning new things.”
Speaking at the opening of the site last year, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said that the lab is a place for everyone — not just techies — to pick up the spirit of experimentation and innovation.
“We need to move beyond just being passive consumers of technology to become active creators who use technology,” he said.
In November last year, North East Community Development Council partnered IDA and POSB to launch the North East Eldersurf Intergen Bootcamp which ran until March 2016. Over the programme’s course, students from 17 schools turned cyber-guides for over 370 seniors.
Initial signs are encouraging. The IDA’s Annual Survey on Infocomm Usage in Households and by Individuals for 2014, found that the Internet usage rate among senior citizens aged 60 and above rose to 31 per cent in 2014, an increase of 15 percentage-points from 2012.
Another factor in the accessibility equation is digital inclusion. In September 2014, the IDA unveiled its Home Access programme, which is expected to benefit 8,000 low-income households over four years.
Under the scheme, which is supported by the National Council of Social Service, eligible households pay S$6 per month for a 48-month broadband package that includes home Internet access, telephony services and a basic device like a tablet.
WHY OUR SMART NATION MATTERS
The technologies and initiatives showcased at Tech Saturday show how accessible and fun technology can be. Beyond the fun and games, these technologies and the innovations they inspire have real-world applications and implications for Singapore.
The IDA has been working with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to drive productivity and growth. A recently-held Learning Journey event for SMEs showcased the Transformer, a robotic brain that can be retrofitted to cleaning scrubber machines. Sensors enable the machines to learn routes so they can operate autonomously, reducing manpower requirements.
Another initiative announced last month could make for a better shopping experience for retailers and customers. A 12-month In-Mall Distribution trial will be tested out at two shopping malls here with a view to cutting waiting and queueing time for deliveries by 65 per cent.
The trial hopes to reduce retail logistics challenges such as a lack of delivery coordination and traffic congestion at mall loading bays. It could benefit some 300 retailers and enable logistics companies to better utilise their fleets.
If successful, the programme could greatly reduce the inconvenience to businesses and customers — a potential win-win scenario brought about by technology-led innovations.
It may seem far-fetched now, but the fun-filled, curiosity-fuelled experiments that begin at Tech Saturday may well lead to tomorrow’s Next Big Thing that transforms the lives of people and businesses.
TECH SATURDAY (Free admission)
Date: May 21, 2016 (Saturday)
Time: 11am-7pm
Location: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 4
Learn how technology can change your life. Highlights include:
• Try out the latest consumer tech
• Sign up for free tech workshops
• Play with cool gadgets like sensors and microcontrollers
• Test fly a drone
• Learn about government apps
• Win attractive tech prizes hourly
Tech Saturday is a part of Smart Nation Innovations week, which will see Singapore host a total of four events and over 15,000 guests as they exchange ideas and learn about disruptive technology.
Visit www.techsaturday2016.sg to find out more.
