Keppel Land, the property arm of Keppel Corp, and Habitap, developer of smart living systems, unveiled Singapore’s first smart-home management system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) on Nov 13. It will be deployed at Keppel Land’s upcoming residential development at Nassim Hill as well as other projects.
Ng (left) and Tang at the launch (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ The Edge Singapore)
The smart-home management system integrates three core functions of smart-home controls, community management and lifestyle services on a single platform. It was introduced in 2016 at Keppel Land’s residential development, Corals at Keppel Bay, and has now been enhanced to incorporate AI with machine-learning capabilities. The previous system was also rolled out at other Keppel Land developments: Highline Residences, The Glades and The Garden Residences. Apart from its collaboration with Keppel Land, Habitap is also involved in residential projects such as The Clement Canopy, The Tre Ver, Amber 45 and Park Place Residence. The system is utilised in a total of 12 residential projects.
The system, Habitap Handy, allows users to interact with and easily control devices within their homes, access services such as facilities booking and the visitor management system, and enjoy lifestyle services. All this is done through text and voice messaging on mobile messaging applications WhatsApp and WeChat.
With AI enhancement, the new app will progressively anticipate users’ preferences and usage patterns, and automate features and settings. Residents will be able to interact with and control connected devices within their homes — such as door locks, lighting and air-conditioning systems — via the customised, integrated platform.
Smart smoke detectors can also send alerts to residents’ mobile phones or the condo security guards in the event of an emergency. The app will also allow residents to make deposit payments or be notified when their packages arrive in their locker, which has a unique code for unlocking.
“These are features that homeowners would welcome, especially the younger and sophisticated ones,” says Ng Ooi Hooi, president of Keppel Land (Singapore). “To us, it is necessary because, going forward, people expect more [of such] features to help them manage their lifestyle.”
Franklin Tang, CEO and founder of Habitap, says: “We constantly seek to innovate and improve Habitap.” For example, the firm is incorporating technologies such as facial recognition with AI to go beyond just facilitating entry to buildings, to integrating security, safety and people-locating features.