Number of HDB Flats Installed with Elderly Monitoring System, Its Average Yearly Activation Rate and Plans to Upgrade or Expand System
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the number of HDB flats with the Elderly Monitoring System (EMS), its activation rates, and expansion plans as raised by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee responded that HDB does not track total installations because residents engage commercial service providers directly based on their specific needs. He noted that following a trial in Yuhua, HDB launched the Smart Enabled Home Initiative to provide digital infrastructure, such as smart distribution boards, in new flats. These provisions, found in developments like Northshore Residences, facilitate the adoption of smart home solutions and help residents manage their home energy consumption. HDB also includes information on commercial EMS providers in key collection letters for 2-room Flexi flat residents and provides additional details via the HDB InfoWeb.
Transcript
44 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB flats have been installed with the Elderly Monitoring System; (b) what is the average yearly activation rate; and (c) whether there are plans to upgrade or expand the system.
Mr Desmond Lee: In 2016, HDB launched the “My Smart HDB Home @ Yuhua” trial under which residents could purchase smart home applications and services, including the Elderly Monitoring System (EMS), directly from vendors of such solutions. The trial concluded in March 2018.
HDB has taken in learning points from the trial in the development of the HDB Smart Enabled Home Initiative, where digital infrastructure is provided within HDB flats to support the adoption of smart home solutions such as the EMS. For example, flats at the recently completed Northshore Residences I and II are equipped with a smart distribution board for residents to better manage energy consumption within their homes and to facilitate residents’ adoption of smart home solutions, including the EMS.
Various packages for sensor-based EMS are available commercially and residents who wish to install EMS can directly engage a service provider which best suits their needs. HDB does not track the total number of flats that have been installed with EMS. For residents’ convenience, HDB has included a weblink in the appointment letter issued for keys collection for residents of 2-room Flexi flats to find out more information on commercial providers who offer the EMS. Interested residents can also approach HDB’s InfoWeb for more information.