Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • CES
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • more
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • CES
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Exploring Panasonic's Fujisawa smart city

4 of 6 NEXT PREV
  • Fujisawa STT

    Fujisawa STT

    Located in Fujisawa City, just outside Tokyo, Panasonic's Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town (STT) is the result of repurposing old land owned by the firm and reinvented as a template of how future sustainable smart cities could operate. Opened in early 2014 with the sale of 220 homes, STT now caters for roughly 3,000 residents across 1,000 households. There are five pillars which form the basis of STT: community, mobility, energy, security and healthcare, however, the town only welcomed its first residents last year and so some buildings and facilities are still under construction.

    Panasonic says that after studying 50 smart cities worldwide, the company created the STT model to be service-orientated and not only promote a more sustainable lifestyle, but also to boost commercialization through business partnerships in running the town.

    Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

    Photo by: Charlie Osborne | ZDNet

    Caption by: Charlie Osborne

  • Want to move in?

    Want to move in?

    The average price of a property in Fujisawa STT is $500,000. While not especially large -- especially by US standards -- the price is approximately 15 - 20 percent higher than local areas, but less expensive than Tokyo, well-known for high living costs. Homes are complete with energy monitoring and energy saving devices, and would-be residents must sign up for and agree to uphold the town's "principles," according to Panasonic.

    A town development policy was jointly created between the tech giant and Fujisawa City government before 19 business partners were brought alongside including developers, energy firms and security companies. Residents are expected to pay approximately $100 a month on top of property purchase to live in the town and make use of services provided, which include bike and electric vehicle (EV) sharing, events and security monitoring. There is a also an online portal, compatible with mobile devices, which displays town events, notices and alerts, as well as a forum and committee for residents to communicate.

    Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

    Photo by: Charlie Osborne | ZDNet

    Caption by: Charlie Osborne

  • Security or spying?

    Security or spying?

    Surveillance cameras act as a "virtual gate" at the entry points of the well-lit STT, working alongside human patrollers and residents. Eventually, there are plans to install additional cameras across walkways and within areas such as the playground -- giving parents the opportunity to tap into camera feeds and check up on their children, and the commercial operations in place the ability to make sure their businesses are in tact. Some may consider such coverage intrusive, but residents agree to Panasonic's translation of the "security" principle if they choose to purchase a home in the town.

    Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

    Photo by: Charlie Osborne | ZDNet

    Caption by: Charlie Osborne

  • Energy, energy, energy

    Energy, energy, energy

    The town aims to reduce average CO2 emissions by 70 percent in comparison to the 1990's, together with renewable energy providing 30 percent of energy used. Each home is equipped with solar panels -- included in the price of purchase -- a storage battery and monitor to show residents how much energy they are using on a daily basis. In addition, should residents soak up more solar energy than they need, they have the option of selling excess power back to the national grid.

    Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

    Photo by: Charlie Osborne | ZDNet

    Caption by: Charlie Osborne

  • Disaster strikes

    Disaster strikes

    In the case of natural disasters such as Japan's disastrous 2011 earthquake and resultant meltdown of nuclear reactors, the smart town is able to sustain itself for three days, which is the average time for full power supplies to return in these scenarios due to its solar energy collection. In addition, storage battery resources may be shared with neighbors outside the town if they are in need.

    Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

    Photo by: Charlie Osborne | ZDNet

    Caption by: Charlie Osborne

  • The future of smart homes?

    The future of smart homes?

    It's an interesting concept, but the likelihood of countrywide rollouts is slim -- despite Panasonic's plans to expand to new locations in the future. The original investment levels must be staggering and only enterprise players have the capital and resources to secure partners and pull this off -- especially as Panasonic does not believe the town will have fully evolved until 100 years pass. STT is still within the 10-year construction phase, and additional houses, health, education and condominiums are planned for construction by 2018.

    The town is an insight into how some areas could make better use of energy and sustain themselves through renewable energy, but the model will not be suitable for large areas -- unless you grow from the ground up.This does not mean the experiment isn't worthwhile, however, as STT could give governments, companies and the general public ideas concerning how to improve and smarten up their own lifestyles.

    Disclaimer: The trip to Fujisawa STT was sponsored by Panasonic.

    Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

    Photo by: Charlie Osborne | ZDNet

    Caption by: Charlie Osborne

4 of 6 NEXT PREV
Charlie Osborne

By Charlie Osborne for Between the Lines | October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT) | Topic: Innovation

  • Fujisawa STT
  • Want to move in?
  • Security or spying?
  • Energy, energy, energy
  • Disaster strikes
  • The future of smart homes?

Is the town a viable blueprint for tomorrow's smart homes?

Read More Read Less

Energy, energy, energy

The town aims to reduce average CO2 emissions by 70 percent in comparison to the 1990's, together with renewable energy providing 30 percent of energy used. Each home is equipped with solar panels -- included in the price of purchase -- a storage battery and monitor to show residents how much energy they are using on a daily basis. In addition, should residents soak up more solar energy than they need, they have the option of selling excess power back to the national grid.

Published: October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT)

Caption by: Charlie Osborne

4 of 6 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

CXO Digital Transformation Tech Industry Smart Cities Cloud
Charlie Osborne

By Charlie Osborne for Between the Lines | October 8, 2015 -- 21:48 GMT (14:48 PDT) | Topic: Innovation

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Remote working, programming languages, artificial intelligence, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

    From the growth in remote working to the rise of automation and onto the demand for wearable devices, here's the research that matters from the past month in tech news. ...

  • Pitfalls to Avoid when Interpreting Machine Learning Models

    Modern requirements for machine learning models include both high predictive performance and model interpretability. A team of experts in explainable AI highlights pitfalls ...

  • Toshiba laptops through the ages

    Toshiba’s 35-year run in the laptop business is at an end, but what a journey it has been.

  • Innovative projects now online to combat coronavirus outbreak

    The spread of COVID-19 has a small silver lining: highlighting how innovative humankind can be under pressure. Here are our favorite examples.

  • Top programming languages, 5G worries, cloud computing, and more: Research round-up

    All the facts and figures that matter to you and your business from the past month in technology news.

  • Samsung Galaxy S20 first look: All the models and colors up close

    Here is Samsung's latest flagship range, in all its glory.

  • Google Maps turns 15: A look back on where it all began

    A timeline of Google Maps through the years since it was launched in 2005.

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums