Countries are making significant investments in smart city applications. According to one survey, consumers spend 70% of their time on transportation, making smart traffic management a lucrative opportunity for a variety of firms. Smart parking management systems integrated with charging stations have gained popularity, with businesses such as Acer and Asustek Computer targeting this market through their respective affiliates.
Peter Wu, general manager of Asus Cloud and Taiwan Web Service (TWSC), sees significant potential in the use of smart parking poles. These not only provide roadside parking but can also collect data within smart cities via AIoT. TWSC, an Asustek subsidiary, seeks to deliver integrated one-stop system services, according to Wu.
Taiwan currently faces multiple challenges related to roadside smart parking equipment. The equipment is managed by various operators, each dealing with distinct operational issues. According to C. C. Kuo, the general manager of Asus MAAS, parking, charging, and payment services are inextricably linked. Looking ahead to the inevitable trend of comprehensive integration, operators should develop customized one-stop system services that cater to the public's need for both charging and parking.
Regarding roadside parking implementation, Kuo explained there has been an evolution from early ticket-based entry barriers to more common license plate recognition systems. While license plate recognition offers many conveniences, it still encounters challenges due to government updates on license plate formats, which necessitates continual algorithm updates. Some private parking lots, aiming to reduce installation costs, have adopted inexpensive recognition systems from China, raising cybersecurity concerns and resulting in lower accuracy rates. These systems often require supplementary lighting or camera calibration, yet still lack actual AI technology.
The upcoming implementation of barrier-free license plate recognition systems will allow for a true assessment of AI capabilities, Kuo indicated. Advanced AI learning and real-time computing skills will be required to address the diverse service requirements of parking facilities. Asus MAAS is currently working on initiatives with the Taipei City Government.
While many companies compete in the license plate recognition equipment market, quality standards vary significantly. Furthermore, the absence of consistent standards between counties and towns has compromised urban aesthetics and increased cybersecurity issues. Kuo urged all sectors to pay attention to cybersecurity risks, pointing out that smart parking poles can capture not only license plates but also other metrics, serving as data-gathering devices for IoT in smart cities.
