SINGAPORE – Using a mix of sensors, robots and AI, an ongoing study is teaching urban planners how to make Singapore’s neighbourhoods safer for its ageing population.

It starts by getting seniors to wear sensors on their arms, ankles and waists. As they walk, the sensors pick up data on how fast they are going and how stable they are. At the same time, a robot analyses conditions on the ground.

Artificial intelligence then analyses all this information to identify environmental factors that may increase the risk of falls.

The study by the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) started in 2023 and was carried out in Yio Chu Kang to get more realistic results. Said SEC post-doctoral researcher Kresimir Friganovic: “In the lab, testers mostly walk in a straight path or on the treadmill, but outside, there are much more complex influences.”

It is one of ten projects on display at the AI for Cities exhibition by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Launched on Jun 3, the free exhibition showcases the uses of AI in planning, building and managing Singapore’s land.

Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah, who launched the exhibition at the URA Centre atrium, gave several other examples of how AI can people navigate a complex world.

For instance, it can help urban planners pick out patterns in large datasets, enabling more targeted intervention, she said.

It can also help people access complex information in a more user-friendly manner, she added.

She gave the example of a new chatbot that will be launched in the third quarter of the year, which will answer users’ questions about URA’s planning and development guidelines.

Said Indranee: “This exhibition offers a glimpse into the many AI-driven initiatives taking shape across our ecosystem and shows that AI can be an instrument for a better city. It is about applying innovation to solve real-world challenges, from making our journeys smoother, to enhancing safety and making our city more liveable....