Smart city simulator "phase two" : the wheelchair challenge

Many Smart City infrastructures are physical models or Lego models that are static and difficult to scale. Other existing Smart City concepts have not taken wheelchair users and their needs into account. Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), in cooperation with Oracle, assigned a project which sought to address these issues to a group from the European Project Semester. We are five international students trying to create a 3D- Simulation of a Smart City with Unity software to solve space and mobility problems. The main part of this task was to create a wheelchair accessible Smart City, which can be presented and visualized by a simulation. Right at the beginning of the project, we decided to focus not only on wheelchair users but on all kinds of physical limitations: blindness, deafness, mobility difficulties, old, young, and pregnant women. We analyzed existing concepts, asked why it is more important than ever to develop Smart City models, and make existing cities smarter. We also looked at what needs to be improved in cities in general, especially to make life easier for people with disabilities. We exchanged ideas with organizations that helped us to learn more about the everyday life of people with disabilities, we also exchanged ideas with companies that are already actively working on making cities smarter and last but not least we looked at the innovations in Oslo that are trying to make this city smarter. Based on our results and with the help of Proxima Lego City, a Lego model built by Oracle, we made a questionnaire to ask the participants what belongs in a smart city and what challenges specifically the participants with disabilities have in their everyday life in cities. After the research, the questionnaire, and the exchange with organizations and companies, we decided to create a Smart City in Universal Design, which is accessible for everyone and can be presented and experienced through a simulation. We implemented an electric autonomous public transport system, a smart trash system, a smart parking system and a smart lighting system. We also developed an app, especially adapted to our simulation, that makes the simulation appear even more real. With the help of real-time data, the app shows the advantages of a Smart City, and it also shows the advantage of having an app specifically adapted for the Smart City.Grado en Ingeniería en Electrónica Industrial y Automátic

Circular economy principles in action : insights from mechanical engineering companies

Population growth leads to a greater resource demand, resulting in more waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The linear economic model used in the mechanical engineering (ME) industry is incapable of stopping this trend. The concept of circular economy (CE) offers an approach to solve this problem. This thesis examines how ME companies are implementing CE and identifies the barriers, drivers, and strategies faced by the companies during the implementation process. To examine five ME companies that have adopted CE, semi-structured interviews, supplemented by secondary data and direct observations, were conducted. The 10R framework and a classification of barriers, drivers, and strategies were used to guide the data analysis. The 10R framework helped to categorize the CE practices implemented by the company. This thesis found out that the implemented CE practices predominantly focus on extending the life span of machines. Internal and external barriers have hindered the successful implementation of these practices. These barriers include employees’ rejection of CE and regulations differing nationally and internationally. However, drivers such as management and partnerships between companies significantly contribute to a successful CE implementation. The sustainability oriented mindset of the management lays the foundation for adopting CE practices. Moreover, training on sustainability and CE of employees is essential for a successful CE implementation. Accordingly, companies should invest in employee training. The government should become aware of the importance of barriers for companies and should find solutions to minimize them.O crescimento da população leva a uma maior procura de recursos, resultando em mais resíduos e emissões de gases com efeito de estufa. O modelo económico linear utilizado na indústria da engenharia mecânica (EM) é incapaz de travar esta tendência. O conceito de economia circular (EC) oferece uma abordagem para resolver este problema. Esta tese examina a forma como as empresas de EM estão a implementar a EC e identifica os obstáculos, fatores de mudança e as estratégias enfrentadas pelas empresas durante o processo de implementação. Para examinar cinco empresas de EM que adotaram a EC, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, complementadas por dados secundários e observações diretas. Para orientar a análise, foi utilizada a metodologia 10R que ajudou a categorizar as práticas de EC implementadas pelas empresas. Esta tese concluiu que as práticas de EC implementadas centram-se no prolongamento da vida útil das máquinas. O sucesso destas práticas tem sido dificultado por obstáculos internos e externos que incluem a rejeição da EC por parte dos funcionários e regulamentos diferentes a nível nacional e internacional. Fatores como a gestão e parcerias entre empresas contribuem para uma implementação bem-sucedida. A mentalidade orientada para a sustentabilidade da gestão estabelece as bases para a adoção de práticas de EC. Adicionalmente, a formação dos trabalhadores sobre sustentabilidade e EC é essencial para uma implementação bem-sucedida. Consequentemente, as empresas devem investir na formação dos trabalhadores. O governo deve conscientizar-se da importância dos obstáculos para as empresas e deve encontrar soluções para as minimizar