In our modern world, technology is used to help humans think, analyse, and solve problems by imitating human behaviors. We can no longer deny an AI existence in our lives, since it is not only implemented in business sectors but also plays an important role in the national project, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). EEC is the strategic plan under the scheme of Thailand 4.0. It aims for the economic development of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard. In this article, I would like to talk about AI’s ability to support the project by using technologies to enhance its potential in Thailand to the international level.
AI and big data management are considered the main tool to automate industrial sectors and create a smart city which contains the development in fields of smart energy systems (Smart Grid), transportation, community, economy, agriculture, environment, etc. Eastern Economic Corridor of Digital (EECD) is established and designated to be the center of trading and industrial investment and to accelerate the new digital industry by choosing targeted industrial sectors with diverse fields of technology.
Nowadays, robots and automatic systems are developed to support manufactures and services; for example, at a terminal in U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong, which is in EEC district, a robot is used to greet and give information to passengers, as well as lead them to each counter. These systems are programmed to interact with passengers in the ‘Guide & Go’ pattern. Also, smart video processing and analytics are applied to create a face and object recognition system that can detect suspected objects in the airport in order to increase the efficiency of security systems. At the same time, EEC seaport, a regional distribution center for international shipment, has set up a 5G remote crane operation system for transportation and self-driving trucks to substitute workers during their break and reduce processing time. CCTV is used for container numbers and passing cars’ license plate recognition. It is also used for truck weighting to help match backhauls, queue management, travel time estimation, and roadway maintenance prediction. This technology is developed by creating a platform that connects with data analytics through IoT (Internet of Things).
Furthermore, there is an electricity development called Smart grid, which transfers renewable energy via data detection, transmission, and reception technologies that cooperate intelligently with other devices and electricity systems. AI and blockchain are implemented to maintain the smart meters in Pattaya City. This helps reduce electricity costs and enhance more reliable, environmental-friendly, and safer energy management. In the future, electricity production and trading could be possible too.
Environmental problems and drought are also two main problems Thailand is facing. A sensor system, databases, and digital twin (Creating models of simulated images and objects in the digital world) is used to support inspection and prediction of natural disasters that might happen in the future. This is a great example of the application of technologies that can contribute to building the perfect smart city.
Machine learning and deep learning are also used in medicine in several aspects, such as data collection, initial diagnoses to find treatments, using robots to deliver food, antibiotics, and files to reduce routine work and physical contact between people in hospitals.
In the EEC, technologies are importantly involved in pushing several sectors forward. Everyone should be reminded that people need to improve and learn how to smoothly apply and cooperate with technologies, because technologies are like the backbone of industrial and overall economic development in the country, especially in the ECC project, which contributes hugely to moving towards an innovative Thailand 4.0.