The Internet of Things and Industrial Revolution 4.0

As of recent, I have heard and came across these terms: The Internet of Things and Industrial Revolution 4.0. In the general sense, these terms refer to borderless connections, sharing of information and resources, and the mass migration to and reliance on the digital resources through technology. In a more simpler definition, if I can put it correctly, is imagining multiple devices connecting and operating via the internet, where these devices can cross-operate. One example that I came across is, for instance, a watering device that know how much water to release, and upon reaching a certain level, it will automatically refill itself - like a "smart" object.

So how will this impact landscape architecture and tourism? We already have "Smart Cities" , and most of use are definitely using a lot of apps these days: to book flights, book accommodation, get an Uber or Grabcar, even buy food. Who would have thought 10 years ago that we would be buying and customizing our meals online!

Whether we are ready or not, we have to see how we can adapt. Though pen and paper will not be obsolete, we need to find how to we integrate, or take advantage, of the digital world. Less paper, for sure, but also for better efficiency, longer lasting data storage, and more opportunities for integrations of resources.

In 2015, ASLA's blog The Dirt listed Smartphone Apps for Landscape Architects.

Personally, for my work, I have used the GPS Tracker Apps to map my routes and points when doing fieldwork at the city scale (such as when I was following the market vendor and mapping wall art in Penang in my walks). This app allows us to geotag points and photos. Nothing complicated, but it saves time from marking on physical maps and using the handheld GPS. You can open up the map online through the link and you will get all the points that you have recorded at almost a precise location. The only drawback is if in case something did not get recorded on the phone, no reception or your battery die, your data will be incomplete - thus, the reason to still have the pen and paper back up on a hardcopy of base map.

I use the camera in my phone, but rarely care about the geotag. I do use Instagram and create specific hashtags for my different works. Hashtags are easy to use because they are like creating folders in a computer.

I used the Paper by Fiftythree apps, which is a digital sketchbook - but end up only using it for leisure because drawing with pen and paper is a lot faster and lighter to carry in my bag.

Then there's Google Map - which I found to be very useful in creating My Maps and pinning down different places for different things, and of course for route planning.

Surely, I need to raise up my game in finding the most suitable and reliable apps and software for the works that I do. Something for behavioural mapping maybe? Ways to crowd-source survey information on-site rather than relying on paper survey and google forms? Let's see what the present holds. No more talking about the future. NOW is the future!