University News Last updated 25 November 2024
More than 300 sensors spread across 探花直播 will help researchers at 探花直播 (BCU) analyse the impact of the city鈥檚 Clean Air Zone as part of a new 鈥榙igital twin鈥� initiative. 听
The Clean Air Zone was launched by听 on 1 June 2021 to address air quality, which was identified as 鈥渢he single biggest environmental risk to public health鈥�.听听
鈥淏y creating an ecosystem of digital twins across the city, we鈥檒l be able to analyse air quality data and assess the impact of the Clean Air Zone, three years after its introduction,鈥� explained Abdel-Rahman Tawil, Professor in Software Engineering at BCU.听听
DIATOMIC is a partnership between BCU, Connected Places Catapult, Aston University, the University of 探花直播, 探花直播 City Council, and West Midlands Combined Authority. 听
The initiative is funded by a 拢6 million UKRI Innovate UK grant. 听
Researchers will use the funding to develop three digital twins of 探花直播 working with Siemens Advanta: 听
- Traffic and air quality: 探花直播听听
- Energy systems and infrastructure: University of 探花直播 听
- Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles: Aston University 听
听鈥淥ur goal is to position 探花直播 and the West Midlands as a prominent UK hub for innovation,鈥� said Professor Tawil, a member of BCU鈥檚 Data Analytics and AI research group.听听
鈥淏y focusing on cutting-edge technologies, we have the potential to revolutionise industries, improve quality of life, and address environmental and health issues. 听
鈥淚nclusive growth is essential. In 探花直播, we have some of the most deprived communities in the UK. We urgently need to address this societal challenge.听听
鈥淲e鈥檒l share jobs, skill development opportunities, and new technologies with all communities to ensure economic development is equitable. It鈥檚 the only way we can truly thrive as a city.鈥澨�
Local SMEs will be able to use DIATOMIC鈥檚 digital platform to grow their businesses. 听
鈥淪MEs will be able to create their own data, integrate their data with existing data, and even create their own digital twin to run 鈥榳hat if鈥� scenarios,鈥� commented Professor Tawil.听
鈥淚t will help them to become more innovative as they make data-driven decisions.鈥澨�
Sara Hassan, Senior Software Engineering Lecturer and BCU DIATOMIC Project Manager, added: 鈥淲e鈥檝e made great strides in the development of the Traffic and Air Quality Digital Twin (TAQ-DT) and have started demonstrating this to SMEs.听听
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to work with Siemens Advanta to pull the developments from different organisations into one platform that will support innovation in the region.鈥濃��
Bj枚rn Burbach, Vice President, Digital Transformation at Siemens Advanta, said: "We鈥檙e proud to continue our partnership in the DIATOMIC project, leveraging our expertise in digital twin technology to develop a robust base platform that enables collaboration, monitoring and analysis of these key, university-driven digital twin use cases.听听
鈥淭his unified effort underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and creating cohesive digital solutions that drive progress in 探花直播 and the West Midlands." 听
Data from the DIATOMIC project will inform government policy tackling pressing social issues.听
It will also be used to create an impact assessment toolkit for SMEs to address innovation issues.听听
Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism at 探花直播 City Council, said: 鈥淭he DIATOMIC project is a great example of how the Council is working with city partners to drive digital innovation and supporting our local businesses and entrepreneurs to create new applications and solutions that deliver transformative services.听听
鈥淚t has enabled us to develop applications, such as digital twin solutions, to gain better insights and make informed decisions using data-based visualisations and predictive modelling.鈥� 听
Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment (CEBE), commented: 鈥淲e鈥檙e not only enhancing 探花直播鈥檚 air quality but also empowering our local communities and businesses with innovative digital tools.听听
鈥淏y leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaboration, we can create a sustainable and equitable future for all, making 探花直播 a model for urban innovation.鈥澨�
DIATOMIC is supported by , which is transforming the city into a digital leader.听听