Kenton (2018) states that, Research and development (R&D) refers to the work and

business conducts for the innovation, introduction and improvement of its products and
procedures. It is a series of investigative activities to improve existing products and
procedures or to lead to the development of new products and procedures.

Consumer goods companies across all sectors and industries utilize R&D to improve on
product lines, and corporations experience growth through these improvements and
through the development of new goods and services. In general,
pharmaceuticals, semiconductor, and software/technology companies tend to spend the
most on R&D

Ng, et. al (2018), says that Singapore’s science and technology transformation over 50
years mirrors her remarkable leap from survival to excellence. Fifty years ago, technology
served a functional role, today it is the central engine powering an ambitious economy.

Singapore's water technology, port management capability and petrochemical ecosystem

are noteworthy. With the increasingly competitive global technology landscape,it is crucial
that Singapore constantly adopts innovative technologies to sustain and bolster economic
competitiveness.

This requires a hands-on approach in creating a culture of innovation, and paradoxically

a somewhat hands-off approach to allow intellectual germination especially through
entrepreneurship and research.

Against this background, policies designed to establish operational transparency enable

agencies to ensure responsible implementation, instill accountability as well as legal and
constitutional compliance.

Here are few of modern research and developments of one of the Global Cities –
Singapore.
 Airbus-SSTA HADR Challenge

The application of satellite technology and its increasing role in providing quick,
accurate and effective response to frequent and complex disaster situations is
evident. Across the world, countries have recognized the need of utilizing remote
sensing satellite technologies as a critical tool in real -time disaster management.
The Singapore Space and Technology Association (SSTA) has partnered with
Airbus to launch a HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) challenge,
to stimulate and tap into the creativity of students/working professionals and
identify new and translatable solutions to complex problems of coordi nation and
technology usage within the context of HADR.

The objectives of the Airbus-SSTA HADR Challenge are to:

 Utilize satellite and mobile technology developed by participants to aid

rescue efforts in the event of a disaster
  Encourage youths and working professionals to incorporate space
technology and engineering in their daily lives

 Provide a ground for participants and subject matter experts to communicate

and exchange ideas

 Raise awareness of space applications and technologies to the public

Source: Singapore Space and Technology Association :

https://www.space.org.sg/industry-programs/innovation-challenges/airbus-ssta-hadr-
challenge
This startup uses AI to convert complex data into
memorable visual stories
Gramener augments human intelligence by extracting insights from
heterogeneous data sources and converting them into memorable stories for
decision making

Recent reports have highlighted the alarming rate at which species are being categorised
as endangered. India has high-profile cases of endangered species like the Bengal tiger,
Asiatic lion or the red panda. This environmental crisis requires cutting-edge solutions
that can track and help combat the loss of biodiversity.

This Singapore- and US-based firm has created a deep learning AI application that, for
example, can track salmon and fish populations over time in order to detect changes in
the habits and decline of the salmon species — making what used to be a labour-intensive
effort into an automated tool.

Source: Echelon: https://e27.co/gramener-uses-ai-to-convert-complex-data-into-

memorable-visual-stories-20190207/
Singapore opens 1st test circuit in S.E. Asia for self-
driving cars
Source: Kyodo News: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/11/26aea9e1b791-
singapore-opens-test-circuit-for-autonomous-vehicles.html

Organisations like the Land Transport Authority and Nanyang Technological University
have already done plenty of testing in closed circuits, and even on public roads. There
are plans to release a fleet of self-driving vehicles that you can book through your
smartphones, and autonomous buses will be released in estates like Punggol, Jurong
and Tengah by 2022.
DRONES TO CATCH BAD GUYS

Image credit: Memoirs of a Singapore Policeman

60 meters flight limit for the Singapore Police Force’s new surveillance drones, which
comes equipped with sirens, an audio warning system with a 100m range, and a
searchlight that’s ten times more powerful than a car headlight.

This gives the police more mobility, allowing them to follow targets through obstructions
or conduct aerial searches.

Source: TSL Magazine : https://www.google.com/amp/s/thesmartlocal.com/read/smart-

tech-sg%3fformat=amp
AI-based digital music discovery platform Musiio
secures US$1M seed round
The Singapore-based company raises the round from Singapore’s Wavemaker
Partners

Musiio, an AI-based digital music discovery and creation platform, has secured US$1
million seed round from Singapore’s Wavemaker Partners. Joining the round is
Exponential Creativity Ventures from U.S. and angels, as reported by Techcrunch.

Musiio focusses on reducing inefficiencies in music curation using artificial intelligence

that augments the human curators’ work. The purpose is to give those who lack the time
to scour Spotify the opportunity to automate or partially automate the music search
process.

Source: e27: https://e27.co/ai-based-digital-music-discovery-platform-musiio-secures-

us1m-seed-round-20190208/
REFERENCES:

 Ng, R., Lim, Q. & Wong, P. ( 2018, July 19) Singapore: 50 Years of Science and
Technology. Retrieved from https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/singapore-50-
years-of-science-and-technology

 Kenton, W. (2019, Feb 18) Research and Development. Retrieved from

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/randd.asp

 Singapore Space and Technology Association :

https://www.space.org.sg/industry-programs/innovation-challenges/airbus-
ssta-hadr-challenge

 Echeclon: https://e27.co/gramener-uses-ai-to-convert-complex-data-into-
memorable-visual-stories-20190207/

 Kyodo News: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/11/26aea9e1b791-

singapore-opens-test-circuit-for-autonomous-vehicles.html

 TSL Magazine : https://www.google.com/amp/s/thesmartlocal.com/read/smart-

tech-sg%3fformat=amp

 e27. Retrieved from https://e27.co/ai-based-digital-music-discovery-platform-

musiio-secures-us1m-seed-round-20190208/
Research and Development of
Singapore – a Global City

A Term Paper Submitted to

Dr. Elena Helen Toledo

In Partial Fulfillment for the course

of The Contemporary World

By
Peralta, Vincent M.
COE182 / BSCE

February 20, 2019