Traffic Light Tracking
March '18
Traffic Light Tracking
March '18
Computer Vision
March 2018
Background
LiDAR- what it is, why it is relevant
Reference Velodyne LiDAR page
Remote Sensing- class at UMD, build our own LiDAR systems to map something on campus --> note less design, more build
Singapore, Singapore
[Context] - The City of the Lion
Singapore was the center of my Southeast Asia experiences. When I toured the University of Maryland in April of 2014, before deciding to enroll, Dr. Mark Wellman presented the opportunity for me to visit Singapore and the Southeast Asian region. The idea was something I had never considered, but it immediately sparked my interest. Led and organized by Alvin Ho, a native Singaporean, my adventures in Singapore varied all across the city-state-country. It has the hustle and financial might of New York, but it’s ~50 year existence, rise to power, and rapid development from a mere fishing village make it even more intriguing.
[In the bubble] - Marina Bay Sands
Probably the most notable building of Singapore’s skyline and what appears to be a boat sitting on top of three towers, Marina Bay Sands is at the Harbor Front of the young city-state-country. In reality, Marina Bay Sands is a mall, casino, and [very expensive] hotel. Stores line the first floor with designer brands like Gucci, Versace, and Armani. I walked into one to see how much the clothing cost, and one standard black v-neck tee shirt was worth 750SGD/$540 [yikes]. I think I’ll stick to my college budget. On the bottom floor, little boats float in knee-deep channels like gondolas in Venice, minus the Italian charm, of course.
Perhaps most importantly, however, on the top floor is the famous infinity pool that from certain angles looks as if it pours right into the city. Unfortunately, the pool is only accessible to hotel guests, but next to the pool is a rooftop restaurant open to the public. Prices might be steeper, but an amazing crème brule overlooking the sunset upon Singapore is certainly worth the extra Singaporean Dollars.
This is just the tip of the iceberg (there's 2 other levels and hundreds of other stands)
[Here's something else] - Hawker Centers
Probably the most notable building of Singapore’s skyline and what appears to be a boat sitting on top of three towers, Marina Bay Sands is at the Harbor Front of the young city-state-country. In reality, Marina Bay Sands is a mall, casino, and [very expensive] hotel. Stores line the first floor with designer brands like Gucci, Versace, and Armani. I walked into one to see how much the clothing cost, and one standard black v-neck tee shirt was worth 750SGD/$540 [yikes]. I think I’ll stick to my college budget. On the bottom floor, little boats float in knee-deep channels like gondolas in Venice, minus the Italian charm, of course.
Perhaps most importantly, however, on the top floor is the famous infinity pool that from certain angles looks as if it pours right into the city. Unfortunately, the pool is only accessible to hotel guests, but next to the pool is a rooftop restaurant open to the public. Prices might be steeper, but an amazing crème brule overlooking the sunset upon Singapore is certainly worth the extra Singaporean Dollars.
Side note: Durian, the beloved fruit of Singaporeans, is worth a try if you can get over the smell [it’s so bad it’s a $5000SD fine if you open it on metros]. It’s also marginally improved in ice cream form, but not by much.
For more: Link
[My thoughts] - A whole .03 SGD
At times Singapore felt like a utopian society: crime was incredibly low, the economy was doing well, the city was very clean [i.e. you could sit on the floor of a metro station], and there was an overall sense of political and social equality. For a country that was 50 years old at the time, Singapore was and is an incredible example for the world to follow. I was fascinated by the history of its development and the state-led initiatives to develop a society not of assimilated individuals, but of acculturated citizens whose traditions and customs are embraced across ethnic groups thereby creating Singapore’s own distinct culture. Singapore’s ability to do this, in my opinion, is the reason for it’s incredible success.