Living lab approach for developing massmarket IoT products and services

Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a central concept in both the industrial as in the academic world. In this context, Living Lab research has been shown as an effective means for the design, implementation, development, testing and validation of Internet of Things system’s pervasiveness. However, IoT products are not yet designed based on the needs of a larger, non-technical group of end-users. Therefore, in this paper we describe the AllThingsTalk Living Lab research track in which tangible end-user products are defined to be implemented on an online IoT platform. More specifically, by using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies (i.e., desk research, online survey, probe research and co-creation) and by selecting different types of users (i.e., based on Rogers’ adoption profiles) for these interaction moments, we were able to combine the input of these users to define tangible products that meet the needs of a heterogeneous group of end-users

Smart mobility: opportunity or threat to innovate places and cities

The concept of the “smart mobility” has become something of a buzz phrase in the planning and transport fields in the last decade. After a fervent first phase in which information technology and digital data were considered the answer for making mobility more efficient, more attractive and for increasing the quality of travel, some disappointing has grown around this concept: the distance between the visionarypotentialthatsmartness is providingis too far from the reality of urban mobility in cities. We argue in particular that two main aspects of smart mobility should be eluded: the first refers to the merely application to technology on mobility system, what we called the techo-centric aspect; the second feature is the consumer-centric aspect of smart mobility, that consider transport users only as potential consumers of a service. Starting from this, the study critics the smart mobility approach and applications and argues on a“smarter mobility” approach, in which technologies are only oneaspects of a more complex system. With a view on the urgency of looking beyond technology and beyond consumer-oriented solutions, the study arguments the need for a cross-disciplinary and a more collaborative approach that could supports transition towards a“smarter mobility” for enhancing the quality of life and the development ofvibrant cities. The article does not intend to produce a radical critique of the smart mobility concept,denying a priori its utility. Our perspectiveisthat the smart mobility is sometimes used as an evocativeslogan lacking some fundamental connection with other central aspect of mobility planning and governance. Main research questions are: what is missing in the technology-oriented or in the consumers-oriented smart mobility approach? What are the main risks behind these approaches? To answer this questions the paper provides in Section 2 the rationale behind the paper;Section 3 provides a literature review that explores the evolution on smart mobility paradigm in the last decades analysing in details the “techno-centric”and the “consumer-centric” aspects. Section 4proposes an integrated innovative approach for smart mobility, providing examples and some innovative best practices in Belgium. Some conclusions are finally drawnin Section 5, based on the role of smart mobility to create not only virtual platforms but high quality urban places

Contextual impacts on industrial processes brought by the digital transformation of manufacturing: a systematic review

The digital transformation of manufacturing (a phenomenon also known as "Industry 4.0" or "Smart Manufacturing") is finding a growing interest both at practitioner and academic levels, but is still in its infancy and needs deeper investigation. Even though current and potential advantages of digital manufacturing are remarkable, in terms of improved efficiency, sustainability, customization, and flexibility, only a limited number of companies has already developed ad hoc strategies necessary to achieve a superior performance. Through a systematic review, this study aims at assessing the current state of the art of the academic literature regarding the paradigm shift occurring in the manufacturing settings, in order to provide definitions as well as point out recurring patterns and gaps to be addressed by future research. For the literature search, the most representative keywords, strict criteria, and classification schemes based on authoritative reference studies were used. The final sample of 156 primary publications was analyzed through a systematic coding process to identify theoretical and methodological approaches, together with other significant elements. This analysis allowed a mapping of the literature based on clusters of critical themes to synthesize the developments of different research streams and provide the most representative picture of its current state. Research areas, insights, and gaps resulting from this analysis contributed to create a schematic research agenda, which clearly indicates the space for future evolutions of the state of knowledge in this field

THE PERSPECTIVES OF THE ENERGETIC COMPETITIVENESS IN THE EU AND THE ICT

Information and communication technology (ICT) consumes energy, but in the same time those technologies help us to conserve energy. It did so by enhancing the performance of systems and processes in industry and commerce. Nowadays, ICT must also play a critical role in offering valid solutions for the energy sector towards a more sustainable production of electricity. The new “smart” technologies from the computing domain are now emerging, offering further possibilities to reduce the growing energy consumption both in the residential sector and in the industrial area.energy competitiveness, energy conservation, green energy, information and communication technology

Perspectives of smart cities in South Africa through applied systems analysis approach: a case of Bloemfontein

There is a changed perspective regarding the development of cities and increasingly many countries in the West and some developing countries, as in South Africa, are making concerted attempts to transform their cities to smart cities. Using the context of the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa and drawing on the perceptions of stakeholders, the objective of the paper is to offer a perspective on such a transformation. The study first assessed the performance of various factors and attributes that influence three important aspects of a smart city: economy, mobility and governance system. It then recorded the viewpoints of stakeholders about how these aspects can contribute to the development of a smart city. Further, Applied Systems Analysis (ASA) linked System Dynamics (SD) conceptual models based on the interlinkage and causal feedback relationships among various factors under each aspect were developed, which could assist in offering perspectives that would enable eliciting of policy interventions to develop smart cities. Findings indicate that there are potentials and positive indicators in all three aspects. It is emerged that reinforcement of the inter-relationship among entrepreneurship, innovation, productivity, economic image and international embeddedness will foster a smart economy. Efficient public transportation and advancement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) system will strengthen local accessibility and ensure an innovative, sustainable and safe transportation system that will result in smart mobility. Effective participation of stakeholders in the decision-making process alongside the elected city council and transparency will aid smart governance. The combined effect of these attributes should enable the transformation of the city to a smart city

The Origin and Implementation of the Smart-Sustainable City Concept: The Case of Malmö, Sweden

The concept of a smart-sustainable city (SSC) has recently come to dominate urban sustainability political agendas and academic discourses in Europe. This thesis investigates (1) the origination of the SSC concept, (2) how it is being framed as an approach to sustainable urban development, and (3) how it can be contextualized in concrete projects and urban planning initiatives in the city of Malmö, Sweden. The SSC is founded on the convergence of several prevailing international trends: the devolution of international environmental governance to the local level; the increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in urban planning and development; and the decentralization of economic policymaking to municipal governments. As a strategic approach to sustainable development, an SSC is one that promotes the use of ICT and collaborative public-private partnerships as the primary means of balancing green economic growth with low carbon, sustainable development. This concept is founded on the significant potential of ICT to promote energy and resource efficiency in urban services and systems and to drive behavioral changes as citizens make more data-informed decisions about their lifestyle and consumption patterns. Proponents argue that more collaborative partnerships in cities foster coordination, innovation and attract necessary resources to help cities address complex sustainability problems. While the SSC concept has been criticized by some social science researchers for its overemphasis on technology and for reframing urban sustainability challenges as market opportunities for private companies and corporations, the case of Malmö reveals a more positive outlook. The Malmö example shows that ideas and strategies inherent within the SSC concept can successfully create technologically and ecologically advanced neighborhoods, but also risk excluding parts of the city and its population from accessing any benefits created. While the SSC concept is not without its faults, contradictions and hyperbole, this thesis concludes that the SSC model for sustainable development can offer opportunities to engage a diversity of actors in finding solutions to a city’s most pressing and complex sustainability challenges

Redefining the Smart City: Culture, Metabolism and Governance. Case Study of Port Louis, Mauritius

This thesis of 8 publications explores how Smart Cities can move away from the corporate agenda of ICT consortiums supporting modernist new towns. A proposed Smart City Framework integrates sustainability principles using Culture, Governance and Metabolism to better achieve the UN urban agenda. This is then applied to the city of Port Louis, Mauritius, to enable urban regeneration of the old city to be enabled