Fact Sheet: Enhancing NS Experience and Training Safety through Digital Innovations

Actions
Fact Sheet: Enhancing NS Experience and Training Safety through Digital Innovations

The Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces (MINDEF/SAF) began its digitalisation journey since 2004 to improve effectiveness in training and operations, and efficiency in administration. Today, MINDEF/SAF leverages technology and develops these digital innovations, in collaboration with other government agencies and industry partners, to improve not just our servicemen's efficiency and effectiveness, but also improve their National Service (NS) experience and safety. To embrace this "digital-everything" world, MINDEF/SAF engages Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs), Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and SAF Regulars to understand their needs and ensure that development and implementation of the digital innovations are user-centric.

Digital innovations such as Smart Camp and SafeGuardian are two examples of how MINDEF/SAF utilises technology to enhance the NS experience and safety culture.  

Developing Smart Technologies to Enhance NS Experience

The Singapore Army, together with engineers from the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have been working together to utilise smart technologies to enhance the NS experience. The Smart Camp projects are currently on trial in Stagmont Camp and Kranji Camp III.

Project

Benefit

Details

Camp Companion Mobile Application

Simplifies administrative procedures such as booking-in/out, attendance taking and booking of camp facilities

  • The attendance of servicemen will be compiled digitally, enabling real-time tracking, as servicemen now book in/out and take their attendance by scanning their palm at a contactless biometric sensor. This was previously done using pen-and-paper.
  • Servicemen can check the availability and book camp facilities instantly through the mobile app instead of calling persons-in-charge to coordinate the bookings.

Improves access to information on training programmes through a one-stop mobile platform

  • Servicemen can access training programmes and daily instructions on-the-go instead of referring to a physical notice board.

Improves ease of reporting defects and hazards

  • Servicemen can instantly submit a defect or hazard report on the mobile app. The report will be routed to key appointment holders in the unit who will follow-up on the report. Following which, the serviceman can also track the follow-up status of their report through the mobile app.

Smart Cookhouse

Reduces food wastage by the pre-selection of meal options

  • Servicemen can select their meal options via the mobile app one week in advance. The cookhouse can then prepare meals based on the number of each set meal chosen.

Reduces meal waiting times and congestion in the cookhouse

  • Servicemen can check if the cookhouse is crowded through the mobile app which allows them to plan and maximise training time accordingly.
  • Servicemen can quickly register for meals by using facial recognition or a contactless biometric sensor. Previously, servicemen scanned their military identity cards (11Bs) to register for meals, which took a longer time. 

More convenient channels to provide feedback on set meals

  • Servicemen can complete post-meal surveys and rate their meals through the mobile app.

Smart Store and Smart Armskote

Enhances efficiency and security of drawing of stores and weapons

  • Servicemen can now draw stores and weapons using their 11Bs and biometrics (for digital authentication). Prior to this trial, servicemen had to show their 11Bs and sign-out the stores/weapons via pen-and-paper (to be compared against their specimen signatures for authentication).

Reduces time spent on recording and accounting for stores and weapons

  • The transaction system of scanning the stores/weapons at a digital kiosk, together with computer visioning sensors which uses video analytics to detect what stores/arms are present, are able to provide real-time updates on equipment count.

Smart Workshop

Easier access to manuals, vehicle repair status, technical faults, and the ordering of spare parts

  • Servicemen can fill in electronic checklists using interactive projection. Requests to indent parts, equipment and supplies are automatically generated based on the serviceman's inputs to the electronic checklists and forms, instead of manual inputs.
  • Instead of referring to hardcopy manuals when conducting maintenance works, servicemen can access and control digital manuals through interactive projections. This is more convenient as the hands of maintenance officers tend to be greasy.
  • Servicemen are able to monitor vehicle repair status and technical faults using a digital Internet-of-Things platform. Information is digitally compiled and projected onscreen in the management's office.

 

Enhancing Safety through Digital Innovations

MINDEF/SAF is also utilising technology and innovation to inculcate a strong safety culture in the SAF. The SafeGuardian Mobile App is one such initiative that creates a one-stop safety companion platform for safety processes, and facilitates compliance to safety requirements. The application is currently undergoing trial at Tuas Naval Base and Changi Naval Base, and will be implemented in phases for the rest of the SAF.

Benefit

Details

Improves ease of reporting safety hazards and near-misses

  • Servicemen can conveniently photograph a hazard using their SafeGuardian Mobile App in their phones, and file a report on the hazard/near-miss through the mobile app. This can be done on-the-go instead of using an official unit camera and reporting it through computer terminals found in camps. Photos taken via the app will be confined within the app.

Promotes situational awareness

  • Servicemen will immediately be notified of hazards submitted. Personnel who are in proximity of a hazard will receive a notification through the application until the hazard is resolved.
  • Servicemen receive live updates of environmental forecasts, which include Lightning Risk status and Pollution Safety Indicator.

Promotes a safety culture through convenient avenues to learn and share about safety practices

  • In addition to mandatory safety briefings stated in training safety regulations, servicemen are given a greater stake in strengthening safety by being able to share, comment, or ‘like' safety practices through the SafeGuardian Mobile App.
  • Servicemen can easily access safety doctrines and directives, and can make an instant call by directly clicking on the emergency contact listed in the application. They would not have to refer to physical copies of safety guides and emergency contact lists.

Digitalises manual processes for greater time savings

  • Servicemen complete role-based safety checklists using the SafeGuardian Mobile App. They are able to submit recommendations to accommodate real-time changes in environmental conditions via the app.
Suggested Articles