The Boao Forum for Asia opens in just a few days, and with the theme of an open and innovative Asia, our correspondent Miro Lu explores the thriving innovation of Singapore, autonomous vehicles, an island-wide cashless payment system, and even nursing robots. Let's check out how Singapore is starting to reap the benefits of its Smart Nation initiatives.

Visitors typically flock to Gardens by the Bay for its beautiful flowers and unique architecture. But for a while now, some have been visiting the gardens for a very different reason. Around 80 passengers hop onto these auto-riders every day, for a short but unique ride between the gardens' attractions. While there are only two of these sleek vehicles here, the gardens say they have helped boost operations.

RALF GRESCH DIRECTOR OF VISITOR SERVICES, GARDENS BY THE BAY "We're the first in Southeast Asia, so there is a quite a big hype about it that people actually come to the gardens (and) ask for the vehicle. It's a good thing as well, that our drivers are not there to operate a vehicle, they can concentrate on giving service, giving some information during the ride; basically, make this whole ride a good experience."

MIRO LU SINGAPORE "The driverless vehicle represents the future that Singapore is working towards. But while Singapore is looking to the future, it is also making sure that the elderly citizens are not forgotten."

Over at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, plans are already underway for another smart solution tailored for the aging population in the city-state.

The school created a robot in 2015 that helped to keep the elderly healthy through exercise and work is underway to improve on their Robocoach.

LI YINBEI SUPERVISOR, ROBOCOACH PROGRAM "Contrary to our initial concerns that the seniors may hesitate to accept the robots, they are actually very happy and grateful to exercise with it, they feel proud to use this latest technology and to not have been left out in the digital world. Moving forward, we hope to see Robocoach going to individual homes not only looking to improve the senior's physical health but also to improve their mental and social well-being."

For now, the Smart Nation initiatives are just beginning to sprout but coupled with the government's strong push for the nation to adapt, it's only a matter of time before Singapore develops into a smart city. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore.