Fujitsu’s new sensor-based sewer system flood detection solution promises both higher efficiency and lower deployment costs.
Amid high levels of urbanization and repetitive torrential downpours, Japanese ICT company Fujitsu announced it will start selling in Japan a sewer system flood detection solution, which aims to minimize the damage caused by torrential rain and flash floods. The sensor-based solution, which can quickly detect sudden rises in water levels in drainage pipes, promises both high operating efficiency and low cost of deployment. Because the system gathers a lot of data on water levels, it can also be used to evaluate sewer drainage plans and set system renovation plans.
This is how Fujitsu’s flood detection solution works
A sensor attached within a sewer manhole collects water-level data which is then wirelessly transmitted to the cloud every five minutes and visualized. “Persons responsible for disaster prevention in the local government can check water-level data for each manhole through the internet in their web browsers, and can immediately notify local residents of flood information or take countermeasures to limit damage in the event of flooding,” Fujitsu said.
As the sensor is powered by a thermoelectric converter, it turns energy from temperature differentials into electricity. By using a converter, Fujitsu is able to extend the sensor’s battery replacement time from ten months to five years. “This means that in addition to making it possible to achieve dramatic operating efficiencies, deployment costs are also kept in check as power supply installation is unnecessary,” said Fujitsu. Additionally, because the converter has been miniaturized, it is the first time such a device can be directly fitted to a manhole cover, Fujitsu claims.
Water-level data systems in Japan
Japan revised the so-called Japan’s Flood Control Act in 2015, establishing water-level notification systems in areas neighboring drainage systems. One method that has been used for that purpose is fiber optics-based, making it necessary to lay dedicated cables to each measuring point. Fujitsu points out that there is a high cost of deployment attached to this method. A high maintenance cost is also attached to the deployment of battery-powered water-level sensors as frequent battery changes are required.
On-premise availability of the sewer system flood detection solution is planned for fiscal year 2017.
IIoT News Recap: Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology launches smart city initiative; Toyota grants University of Michigan $22 million for AI research; Today’s forecast: the mHealth services market
Smart city: Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology launches smart city initiative
Virginia-based Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) is teaming up with George Washington University and private equity firm 22 Capital Partners on a new smart city initiative, CIT announced. The new partnership aims to lead the development of “an ecosystem to create smart city technologies and innovation in Virginia”. The idea is to connect areas along the Washington D.C. and Dulles Airport corridor “to form a living environment built around the needs of entrepreneurs to envision the future and bring Smart City innovations to market”. Ed Albrigo, president and CEO of CIT, said: “This partnership will help create an environment that will embrace a wide range of companies; from Fortune 500 companies, tech giants to budding startups. The atmosphere and assets that will be available will help foster breakthroughs in technology that will provide the framework for the smart cities of the future.”
Autonomous vehicles: Toyota grants University of Michigan $22 million for AI research
The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has awarded the University of Michigan (U-M) a $22 million grant over the next four years for research in the areas of enhanced driving safety, partner robotics and indoor mobility, autonomous driving and student learning and diversity, Campus Technology reports. “Toyota has long enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the University of Michigan, and we are excited to expand our collective efforts to address complex mobility challenges through artificial intelligence,” said TRI CEO Gill Pratt. In April, TRI had announced it would build an AI research facility at U-M and hire robotics professors to support the research. TRI has already offices near Stanford and MIT.
Today’s forecast: MHealth services market revenue to exceed $59 billion by 2020
The Mobile health (mHealth) services market is expected to exceed $59 billion in revenue by 2020. The market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33 percent between 2015 and 2022, according to a new report published on Market Research Engine.
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