TST has installed in Santander’s Parque de las Llamas a series of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, with increased security, which will allow citizens to interact with the M-Sec platform, a technological collaborative project between the European Union and Japan to develop security solutions for smart cities.
The IoT modules, which have been developed by TST to record environmental parameters and count people in the vicinity of their location, are equipped with increased security; a set of software techniques and hardware tools, the latter in collaboration with the French company CEA, have been incorporated into the basic design to protect devices from unwanted intrusions and cyberattacks, which are increasingly present in the world of the Internet of Things. In order to verify the type of attacks that these devices could suffer, and in collaboration with the National University of Yokohama, they have been exposed to a series of tests before being installed, which has made it possible to prepare the appropriate mitigating actions.
Citizens can interact with the platform through QR codes scattered throughout the park. By scanning the codes with their mobile phones, users access a web application where once registered, they can consult the measurements recorded and obtain information on flora and fauna. Finally, they have the possibility of assessing the usefulness of the system and passing on their opinions and comments to the members of the M-Sec consortium in order to achieve greater acceptance.
Santander City Council is the main catalyst for this activity due to the city’s status as a Smart City. A council that is committed to innovation, development and deployment of this type of solution. In addition, in the particular case of this pilot, the measurements obtained will help municipal services to make decisions that will benefit citizens.
The initial users of the pilot have been selected by the local members of the consortium, the City Council and TST. In subsequent phases, recruitment activities will reach more citizens from all areas. The idea is to start with a small group of users and then open it up to a wider audience until it reaches all citizens. This first phase will last for 3 months.
