Networked Beaches
Surf and Surf at Ocean City, New Jersey
No need to bring your wallet, just wear your municipal wristband and your account will be debited for beach access, food, parking and souvenirs. When you tire of surfing the waves take a beak and surf the net. All this will be made possible by a combination of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) like they use in department stores to foil shoplifters and a Wi-Fi network. The system will monitor the number of people at the beach and can notify parents if one of their kids has left the beach area. Even the garbage cans will email workers when they are full. As an old Jersey boy and a tech-head, my heart swells with pride. So far, no device to prevent the overweight from wearing inappropriately small bathing suits.
Trend Themes
1. Networked Beaches - The combination of RFID and Wi-Fi network will make cashless and smart beaches possible
2. Smart Garbage Collection - The system can monitor the garbage bins and alert workers when they are full
3. Child Safety Monitoring - The system can notify parents if one of their children has left the beach area
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - Hotels and resorts can implement a similar system to enhance guest experience and increase efficiency
2. Municipalities - Cities and towns can invest in smart garbage collection systems to make trash collection more efficient and environmentally friendly
3. Theme Parks - Theme parks can use the child safety monitoring system to ensure the safety of their visitors and provide peace of mind for parents