After applying IoT technologies in homes to improve security, South Korea-based Grib is looking to apply smart technologies in public sectors, schools and hotels, among others.
Grib is in the business of providing interconnectivity to heterogeneous IoT devices. “Connectivity in the public sector would greatly improve efficiency and save costs over the long term,” said Grib CEO Cheong Yeonkyu.
It has branched out to work with the City of Seoul, specifically Seoul Children’s Grand Park. There, they need to patrol the grounds – every facility needs to do this – but, from the perspective of the park managers, because the grounds are so extensive, they really have no way of knowing whether the inspections were done properly or whether there are any problems with the facilities.
With the IoT technology, real-time on-site inspection is possible. When the area is inspected, the content of the inspection – that is, whether the inspection took place and whether the proper inspection procedures were carried out – can be verified by a mobile or web through NFC tags. The solution also enables real-time monitoring of equipment conditions, operating conditions and external environment through various sensors.
Grib is creating smart buildings in the context of hotels, transportation, health and lifestyle, security, campus, and environment. “Our intelligent building system can integrate vital management systems, so that the fire detection system, security system, and network system can be optimized for maximum efficiency and operability,” Yeonkyu noted.
The company is also working with the government to apply its “smart campus” technology at Hanyang University. Grib provides a strengthened security system, congestion monitoring, energy control, and much more through application of 200 sensors throughout the campus.
The company is looking to implement smart classrooms, smart dormitories, smart cafeterias, smart laboratories and smart street lamps – all with an integrated management system.
Talking about application in hotel management, Yeonkyu says quality control for room cleaning, for example, can be made easier by using IoT so that rooms don’t need to be checked individually as they are done now. Keyless service is also possible. Check-in can be done via smartphones by receiving tags or keys for rooms on phones after identities are authenticated.
The IoT can be applied to monitor the health and safety of the very young or the very elderly, as well as those who require constant care due to developmental disorders. Grib’s IoT sensors can be applied to these persons, to notify their caregivers of movement – or lack of movement – as well as their vital signs.
This technology could ease the economic burdens of many families and provide much needed relief in terms of peace of mind but it is not easy for families to jump into this technology. Government subsidies for the technology for these and other families would help, Yeonkyu added.