Using apps and sensors, a workspace-rental business in Singapore is showing how future work environments will be designed and controlled.

A workspace rental firm in Singapore has launched a ‘Digital Future of Work Platform’ to showcase what offices in the pandemic era may offer in terms of contactless administration and socially-distanced operations.

The two key strategies being highlighted are:

Pay-per-minute Switch workbooths
  • On-demand workspace app: Claimed to be the world’s first on-demand app for workspace management, Switch connects users and providers of workspace flexibly and dynamically. Users pay by the minute for the space that they use, with introductory pricing starting at S$3.60 per hour. Customers who want an alternative work location other than their own home and common spaces, can choose to ‘switch’ between nine of the operator’s workspaces located at malls, shared office locations or 60 Switch booths (pictured) in the city and fringe areas of Singapore. Plans are underway to introduce more Switch booths in Singapore and across the region.
  • AI-powered space management: A feature called SixSense uses sensors to analyze how space is being used, so workspace design, space-use optimization and crowdedness control can be easier. The feature has been put into service at 10 centres across Singapore with the following immediate benefits:  
    • Office users can have real-time information on centre density and crowdedness. By combining this information with flexible office options (including Switch), users can avoid crowded locations and pick alternative work spaces.
  • The firm uses the same feature to manage its own co-working spaces to ensure customers comply with safe-distancing and other policies.
  • The information collected via sensors can be used for analytics to continuously improve office design.

All these are the brainchild of JustCo, whose founder and CEO Kong Wan Sing described what inspired the two ideas for his co-working space rental business: “When the pandemic struck, many of us were forced into the unknown and untried world of working from home. It worked well for some, but terribly for others. We quickly realized that what workers needed were the power and digital tools to decide where and how to work. Fixed and rigid offices have run their course. The future belongs to flexible and on-demand workspaces.”