Smart Automation Magazine Summer 2019

Summer 2019

Pitch-perfect

INSIDE

Schneider makes more with less

06 INDUSTRY NEWS

24 SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

The latest industry news

Reaping the benefits from smart buildings

32 SMART BUILDING EXPO 2019 Convergence in the digital era

IoT solutions for commercial buildings, building equipment, and building technology Based on the Connected Building Platform from Bosch Software Innovations

Software Innovations

bosch-si.com/connected-building

Summer 2019

Pitch perfect

INSIDE

Schneider makes more with less 06 Industry news

24 SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

The latest industry news

Reaping the benefits from smart buildings

32 Smart building EXPO 2019 Convergence in the digital era

Editor Chris Hewett editorial@mebmedia.co.uk Accounts Jay Kempisty accounts@mebmedia.co.uk Publisher Wayne Banks +44 (0)1622 201207 wayne.banks@mebmedia.co.uk Design and Production Hans Verkroost production@mebmedia.co.uk Published by MEB Media Limited 13 Princes Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1UR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1622 201207, Fax: +44 (0)1622 210207 info@mebmedia.co.uk www.mebmedia.co.uk Articles and art may not be reproduced or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher Exclusion of Liability Although every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of all materials published, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Copyright © MEB Media Ltd 2018, all rights reserved.

Commentary Welcome to the summer issue of Smart Automation Magazine, the magazine for installers and buyers of smart home and intelligent building automation products across the UK and Europe. This issue’s Product & Industry News section (starting on page 6) showcases the latest news and views from the industry.

Our cover story this month looks at EcoStruxure™, Schneider Electric’s IoT-enabled, plug-and-play, open, interoperable architecture and platform which is offering innovation at every level at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (see page 2).

Next, FERMAX Professional, the audio & video door entry systems and control access systems manufacturer offers a variety of home automation and security solutions (see page 20).

The eyes and ears of a building— these are electronic sensors that already enable classic building automation systems (BMS) to control lighting, shading and room climate for instance (see page 24).

Ever-widening applications of industrial control technology and smart automation have extended to

sailboat racing and started at the top with the America’s Cup (see page 28).

Coming to Fiera Milano this November: the event dedicated to digital technologies for networked buildings and the smart city. Three days featuring the most innovative solutions, with updates for professionals (see page 32).

Automation has become a fundamental part of keeping up and enhancing productivity in the ever so competitive world of manufacturing.

Businesses that do not at least partly automate processes risk being left behind as the industry rapidly moves forward in the digital age (see page 36).

Chris Hewett, Editor

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Contents 02 Cover Story – Pitch-perfect Schneider makes more with less

28 Sailing to success Smart automation has extended to sailboat racing

06 Industry news A comprehensive round-up of the latest industry news

32 Smart building expo 2019 Convergence in the digital era

20 Intelligent innovation FERMAX outlines recent offerings and sector trends

36 Collaborative robots De-bunking the misconceptions of automation

24 Sensor technology The eyes and ears of a building

32 SMART AUTOMATION

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FRONT COVER STORY

Pitch-perfect

EcoStruxure™ is Schneider Electric’s IoT-enabled, plug-and-play, open, interoperable architecture and platform which is offering innovation at every level from connected products to edge control and Apps, analytics and services.

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restigious installation projects include the new 62,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.

The stadium has been designed from the outset for multi-use including a structurally engineered fully retractable pitch – the first for any stadium in the UK – to ensure that the football-playing surface is always in peak condition.

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Underneath the grass is a synthetic surface that can be used for NFL games and other events. This resourceful logistical approach is mirrored in the agility of the energy management offered

by EcoStruxure™ which is distributing all power supplies to the stadium and integrating mission-critical systems as well as supporting day-to-day running of the venue. It is envisaged that the

energy and building management solutions provided by Schneider Electric will play a key role in delivering the kind of operational efficiencies that should contribute to the club’s vision of being best of breed in all aspects of its operations.

EcoStruxure™ is Schneider Electric’s response to commercial, political and environmental pressures that are driving

organisations to make more with less. This means they need to increase productivity with fewer resources and using less energy.

The connectivity offered by the Internet of Things (IoT) is important for achieving this.

EcoStruxure™ was developed as a suite of tools and services to help users implement IoT. It simplifies collection of data from intelligent devices around a building or campus.

Standard communications protocols Notably, EcoStruxure™ does this using standard communications protocols which is proving a boon on the Tottenham Hotspur project. Once data has been collected, it is analyzed either locally using Edge Control or remotely in the Cloud to provide the user with insights to improve its business operations. A range of modules is available to simplify collecting data from a spectrum of functions and activities so ensuring that IoT solutions can implemented be in a seamless, costeffective and scalable manner.

At major enterprises such as Tottenham Hotspur, EcoStruxure™ becomes a digital backbone that connects best-in-class Operations Technology (OT) solutions

with the latest in Information Technology (IT). This approach allows users to unlock trapped value by leveraging the true potential of IoT. At Tottenham Hotspur, EcoStruxure™ is performing significant automation by providing real-time monitoring for preventative maintenance.

Aspects such as temperature and lighting conditions can be integrated to benefit stakeholders and visitors.

The stadium’s electrical infrastructure is being monitored constantly from Schneider Electric’s remote field services bureau.

Its building analytics software performs system checks every five minutes, totaling 60,000 checks every hour on the site.

Schneider Electric experts will also be in situ to monitor the stadium’s power infrastructure on match days and in the build-up to major events.

David Hall, VP Power Systems, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, said: “We are excited to have partnered with Tottenham Hotspur to create and help manage one of the finest stadiums in the world - for fans, visitors and the wider public. We are supporting the delivery of a best-in-class energy management system to power what is one

of the most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world.

Today, this state-of-art stadium is a prime example of how the stresses associated with hosting and attending live events can be alleviated through digitization and automation. The venue boasts a next-generation customer experience for sports fans, visitors and the community at large that can only be achieved with the latest technology.”

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is already proving a catalyst for general development in the area and planners envisage it will be the focal point for a 20-year programme of regeneration.

Any current names for the ground are temporary. Fans and journalists occasionally call it ‘New White Hart Lane’ but the club proposes to sell naming rights to a major sponsor in due course.

The first fully competitive game for senior players at the stadium was in April of this year and saw Tottenham defeat Crystal Palace 2-0 in the Premier League.

The ground has set quite a few world firsts and the facilities and infrastructure offer many interesting

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statistics. The single-tier south stand is less than five metres from the pitch, this being closer than any other Premier League ground. There are 17,500 seats in this stand making it the largest single-tier stand in the United Kingdom. The pitch dimensions are 105m x 68m, these being the exact dimensions of Wembley.

When the stadium is used for an NFL game or a concert, the grass pitch will retract into a storage garage in the south stand. The turf can remain in the storage area for up to ten days thanks to LED lighting, cooling and irrigation systems with EcoStruxure™ contributing to these controls. Traditional football floodlighting on pylons has been dispensed with and the stadium is illuminated by 324 floodlights mounted on the underside of the roof in clusters of six. The players have their own restaurant with separate kitchen to prepare team food, a pre-match players’ lounge, crèche, family lounge, hydrotherapy pool and warm-up area.

Spectators benefit from what is believed to be the only microbrewery based at a sports venue; it produces premium craft beer with output expected to exceed one million pints annually. n For more information please visit www.schneider-electric.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS 6

Axis announces Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security whitepaper

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atest whitepaper provides detailed study of benefits and challenges for smart buildings and city management and highlights methodology to effectively address associated security risks.

Axis Communications, the market leader in network video technology, has today announced the release of its latest whitepaper, Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security. Authored in association with Virtually Informed and Unified Security, the whitepaper is the third in a series looking at specific aspects of security and provides an in depth review of the topic, addresses key questions and, importantly, provides recommendations that must be considered if the smart promise is to become a reality.

Against the global backdrop of population growth, the strain on limited resources and climate change, there is a growing demand for businesses and governments around the world to deliver significant improvements in the way our cities and the buildings within them are managed. The promise of future cities and buildings built around a smart vision to reduce waste, drive efficiencies and optimise resources is a prodigious one with many inherent challenges, not least, security.

Smart technology enables the collection and analysis of data to create actionable and automated events that will streamline operations. To deliver this at far greater scale means bringing together a large number of very different systems and empowering them to communicate freely with access to important and often sensitive data. Device interoperability will be a crucial component of its success but to have full confidence in the way that these diverse ecosystems operate together, and to ultimately cede important decision-making to them, stakeholders must be fully confident in the security of the systems.

The proliferation of IoT devices has witnessed in parallel an exponential increase in the number of threat exposures and attack vectors, that put in jeopardy the systems that our smart cities and buildings will rely on. With an ever-increasing number of cyber breaches and a common acknowledgment that ‘you are only as strong as your weakest link’, it is important that cybersecurity is considered and evaluated throughout the whole supply chain to protect data, maintain privacy and keep risk associated with cyber threats to a minimum. This process should always start by looking at device security and the vendors’ cyber maturity.

Managing cybersecurity in environments of this scale involves drawing up thorough risk assessments that go right back through the supply chain. Identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating the potential for damage that they could cause. Axis’ Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security whitepaper topics include: l Smart cities and why we need them - Smart cities are increasingly playing a significant role in meeting today’s resource and population challenges l Smart and intelligent technology - Smart devices, systems, buildings and cities defined – questions and issues around existing definitions are addressed l Roles and responsibilities - Review stakeholder roles and

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security risk management to better understand the security issues associated with smart building systems l Security challenges - Threat vectors are vast and varied with increasing levels of sophistication; understand the vulnerabilities, technologies and standards to be applied l Recommendations – Getting started; security standards and frameworks; product strategy, system and solution security; supply and purchasing; and converged operations.

The associated disruption as a result of a cybersecurity breach of a smart system could be catastrophic. At a minimum, it would cause system downtime and impact its ability to operate. The loss of personal data or IP may also damage reputation, impact a company’s share price or even cause actual physical harm. Ensuring that converged security becomes a vital component of this rapidly changing paradigm is of critical importance; safety and security must be at the heart of the shared ambitions for a smarter environment.

Steven Kenny, Industry Liaison, Architecture and Engineering at Axis Communications commented: “At Axis we are passionate about using technology to help create a smarter and safer world. We also believe that technology should be used in an ethical and responsible way. You might say that this whitepaper reflects the very values of our business in that, used responsibly and with security front and centre, smart technology will help us address the big challenges of our time. Increasing efficiencies is vital in meeting carbon reduction targets and avoiding climate catastrophe. The smart vision provides a strong basis for economic growth and improved quality of life. We greatly admire the work that Virtually Informed and Unified Security are doing to help ensure that the worlds of physical and cyber security are aligned and working together to achieve a common goal of increased safety and security for all.” n Please visit www. www.axis-communications.com/ Smart-buildings-and-smart-cities-security

Cities made of dreams Someone once said that “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Smart City Expo World Congress was born in 2011 with a vision, wondering whether smart initiatives could allow sustainable cities to flourish.

Since then, the smart city opportunity has become a reality. New governance models and a circular economy have emerged alongside disruptive technologies such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and blockchain. Stakeholders are moving from small proof-of-concept projects to smart implementation at scale. The future is not far-off anymore.

At Smart City Expo World Congress 2019, we dare to keep dreaming of a smart urban evolution that claims for the cities we need: green, inclusive, liveable spaces that look ahead and leave no one behind.

To make things click, we need citizens who dream of a better tomorrow, along with industry leaders, policy-makers, entrepreneurs and academia. We are all in, and Smart City Expo World Congress is the meeting point to encourage all stakeholders to engage in dynamic action and enable a sustainable, inclusive future.

Five tracks for moving forward The Congress will again focus on five main tracks: Digital Transformation, Urban Environment, Mobility, Governance & Finance and Inclusive & Sharing Cities, covering hot topics such as cybersecurity, 5G, sustainable mobility, circular economy, gentrification or the future of work.

An even bigger Expo For the first time, the Expo area will fill two entire halls of Fira de Barcelona. 90% of exhibition space has already been sold, with over 1000 exhibiting companies, cities and countries sharing their latest

solutions. Get in touch soon if you want to grab some of the last spots available!

Exciting news ahead Stay tuned for all the exciting news that are to come: top-notch speakers, an inspiring program, powerful partners, city authorities coming from all around the world, an amazing venue setup… and a new project, details of which will be coming very soon. Join us from 19 to 21 November 2019 and don’t miss the opportunity to transform seemingly impossible futures into real, thriving cities. Together we can build cities made of dreams. n

Please visit www.smartcityexpo.com

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The rise of smart cities around the world

As the world becomes increasingly dependent on technology for efficiency and success, a report by IDC shows an estimated two-thirds of global cities will be investing in smart city technology by up to $135 billion by 2021.

As cities around the world are set to transform into ‘smart cities’, John Williams, Head of Marketing at Instant Offices, looks into what smart workplace trends are emerging from these innovation hubs.

The National League of Cities (NLC) has analysed how technological advances in smart cities could potentially impact jobs and skills, showing which jobs that are set to grow between now and 2026 are most likely to be automated. The research found that management and supervisory roles are the most secure, being less than 30% automatable, while lowpaying positions involving manual labour are the ones most at risk, being more than 70% automatable.

According to ABI’s Smart Cities Report, London has been placed as the world’s third-leading smart city, following behind Singapore and Dubai thanks to its advanced open data policies and thriving start-up ecosystem.

Top Smart Office Trends for 2019 As smart cities are shaping the future of work, here are the leading workplace trends for 2019 and beyond: BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Many businesses are now allowing a BYOD policy, which means employees can use their own personal tablets, smartphones, laptops and wearable tech to complete their tasks and send work-related communications.

According to research by Techjury, 67% of employees say they now use personal devices at work, and 87% of businesses rely on their workers’ access to mobile business apps. By allowing workers to take their favourite at-home tech and integrate it into daily work life, they will be able to work

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remotely in more efficient ways.

Focus on Wellness: Workplace wellness is a growing trend. Employers are recognising the dangers of overworking, presenteeism, work addiction and burnout. In the US, 70-80% of companies believe that wellness programmes reduce absenteeism and boost productivity, according to a Global Wellness Institute Survey.

This shows that more companies are looking to make positive changes to improve the wellbeing of their employees, and tech is making this easier.

For example, wearable devices like Fitbit and Jawbone allow employees to monitor their stats, from steps taken to calorie consumption to heart rate. This can empower them to take control of their health and practice better wellness habits daily. Smart offices can also make use of collected data from wearable devices by analysing it to identify potential health risks in their workplace.

Cybersecurity: As the wireless technology and BYOD trends continue to rise, the need for advanced security tech rises with them. More data is being stored on the cloud, and if that data isn’t secured correctly, companies risk losing or leaking a lot of sensitive information.

A recent US review by SHRM found that nearly half of organisations surveyed (46%) are now using biometric authentication tech to protect data on smartphones. Flexible offices with excellent network security, a choice of shared and private workspaces, and round-the-clock on-premises security offerings are helping companies to operate in a safer and more secure environment. n For further information, pleasr visit www.instantoffices.com

innovation EcoStruxure Building enables an interactive experience for guests at the Evolution Lisboa Hotel ™

Evolution Lisboa Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal An EcoXpert™ partnership optimizes guest comfort, control, and energy efficiency through IoT-enabled innovation

schneider-electric.com/ecoxpert

Smart Factory + Automation World 2019 April 16th 2019, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Smart Factory + Automation World 2019 from March 27th to 29th 2019 at Coex in Seoul, saw three of South Korea’s leading industry trade shows together welcome 40,000 industry attendees.

This years’ Smart Factory + Automation World expo combined three massive events: Smart Factory Expo, aimex (Industrial Automation, Instrumentation & Measurement Exhibition), and the Korea Vision Show.

The three expos - spanning more than 36,000 sqm of space saw a total participation of 481 exhibiting companies and 1,735 booths. The 40,000 attendees represented a more than 30% increase on 2018.

A survey of those who attended Smart Factory + Automation World 2019 this year showed that almost half wanted to ‘collect new product and technical information’, while one-quarter aimed to identify new industry trends.

Concurrent events included the 4th Industrial Revolution Robotics Conference, 3D Printer User Conference,

Machine Vision Seminar, and Industrial Innovation Day. The expo was jointly coordinated by the Korea Smart Factory Foundation, Coex, Chomdan Inc., the Korean Smart Manufacturing Industry Association, Korea Machine Vision Industry Association, Iomedia, and the Korean Sensors Society. n For more information please visit www.automationkorea.com

Connectivity brings artificial intelligence into buildings The process of connecting the various building services with modern safety and security technology is entering the next phase: initial research projects and application platforms permit futureoriented forecasts for the benefits offered by smart-building and smart-city applications. For all experts from the field of technical building planning and construction, the 5th Intersec Forum – Conference for Connected Security Technology – will examine the future of safety and security technology in buildings.

As an important concern of manufacturers and users, connected safety and security technology will be a prominent aspect of Light + Building – the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology – in March 2020.

At Light + Building, leading companies covering the entire spectrum of building-services technology present, for example, emergency lighting in Hall 8 and building automation in Halls 9 and 11, as well as make contributions to ‘Intersec Building’, the international platform for connected safety and security technology in Hall 9.1.

As part of Light + Building, Intersec Building brings together the products offered by international market leaders from the field of safety and security technology, such as Siemens, DOM Sicherheitstechnik, Grothe, WANZL, PCS Systemtechnik and Schneider Intercom. Within this framework, the Intersec Forum conference functions as an information interface at which around 80 experts will discuss their experiences and the challenges faced over the six days of Light + Building in Frankfurt am Main from 8 to 13 March 2020.

“Connectivity can only generate intelligence and, therefore, economic efficiency when all building systems are linked. In this connection, a common language is essential. Thus, the fully integrated digital planning of safety, security and buildingservices systems is a must for the future. And only Intersec Building at Light + Building makes this evident”, says Iris JeglitzaMoshage, Senior Vice President, Messe Frankfurt. Accordingly,

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Intersec Forum covers the spectrum from technological visions of connected systems, as shown, for example, by the ‘Foresight’ research platform, to practical experience of the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of integrated safety and security equipment in buildings.

Intersec Forum in March 2020 will spotlight the subjects of semantic interoperability, artificial intelligence (AI) in buildings, cyber security, building information modelling (BIM), fire protection, emergency and safety lighting, video technology, smart-access management, burglar and alarm systems, technologies, services and the legal framework. The conference begins on the afternoon of the first day of Light + Building (8 March) with impulse lectures and discussions revolving around artificial intelligence in buildings. On the next five days, the lectures will be held between 10.00 and 16.00 hrs and be followed by evening events for networking and talking shop in the conference area of Hall 9.1.

The 5th Intersec Forum Conference for connected safety and security technology will take place within the framework of Intersec Building during Light + Building in Frankfurt am Main from 8 to 13 March 2020. Participation is included in the price of the Light + Building admission ticket. n

For further details, visit www.Intersec-Building.com

Gira smart kitchen solutions at Poggenpohl Wigmore

Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions collaborate with fellow German superbrand, Poggenpohl, to offer ‘partner products‘ that introduce Gira smart solutions to Poggenpohl‘s market leading kitchen furniture, as standard.

Fulfilling the fastest growing trend for smart home design, Gira is now on display at the newly designed flagship Poggenpohl store in London’s upscale Wigmore Street, exhibiting a host of smart lighting systems and solutions that enable connection, communication and power supply: in the kitchen!

New research by OnePoll has determined that Gira and Poggenpohl are serving a real need, as 15 million homes are recorded as being ‘smart’ in Britain. Already high, this figure is set to increase even more as those already committed to home automation plan to further update their home to continue to save money and improve home convenience.

Whether designed with reactive or sensitive operation, remote access, programming and control or very simply, offer improved utility and convenience, smart lighting is extremely valuable to both the overall design and function of a kitchen.

Mark Booth, Managing Director, Gira UK says “We are already designing for the home of tomorrow as the market continues to demand increased convenience, higher economic efficiency and more security: and these advantages now available from Poggenpohl are proving invaluable in the modern kitchen.“ Regaining its position as the hub of the home, the kitchen is once

again the epicenter of family life. Kitchen designers are therefore required to create modern shapes and design with innovative functionality however, kitchen planners often lack practical experience when it comes to technical innovations, which derive from the field of Intelligent Building Control.

Both Gira and Poggenpohl want to remove this potential hurdle, designing furniture that accommodates these types of solutions at the manufacturing stage. By fabricating the furniture to accommodate Gira smart solutions as standard, they are collectively making it possible for designers and planners to integrate all types of intelligent build applications in one single KNX installation.

Richard Anderson, Studio Manager, Poggenpohl Wigmore explains “As a team we are so proud of our new studio concept. It embraces the limitations of our space and showcases our furniture in its truest form. We are confident by introducing these new kitchen solutions by Gira as part of our furniture, we will maintain our high level of design and innovation: especially at a time when the smart generation continues to drive market change.“ To check out the latest Gira smart solutions across a range of lifestyle kitchen displays, please visit Poggenpohl Wigmore, 118 Wigmore St, Mayfair, London W1U 3RT. You can also visit the Gira Experience Centre at 23-25 Baker Street, London W1U 8EQ, where you will discover the form and function of a real smart home in an apartment setting: by appointment only. n

For further information, please visit www.gira.com

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Connected future: Smart Home tech Brits to own in five years • A digital home assistant as well as a smart heating device are the smart home products Brits most expect to own in five years’ time at 41% each • Contrastingly, Brits have the least desire to buy a smart oven, with only 17% wanting the appliance in their kitchen five years from now • Brits are most open to buying smart home products from a broadband provider (37%) • Surprisingly, just 15% of Brits would be keen to use a specialist smart home tech provider as a potential purchasing channel • Opposingly, Brits are least enthusiastic about purchasing smart home products directly from social media companies as well as mobile phone operators, with only 2% wanting to do so Smart home devices/appliances which can be remotely managed and monitored over Wi-Fi by smartphones and tablets, have revolutionised the way people live. Fundamentally, providing them with a greater level of control and convenience when dealing with important aspects of the home such as temperature, lighting and security.

The rise and development of smart home technology has been nothing short of extraordinary. In fact, 57% of Brits now have at least one smart product in their home enviroment, per recent statistics from Smart Home Week. When it comes to consumer demand, an astonishing £10.8 billion is set to be spent on smart home devices/appliances by the end of this year (2019), according to projections by auditing giants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

Interested in connected living, property specialists FastSaleHomes. co.uk analysed the latest findings from accounting firm Ernst & Young, who surveyed 2,500 UK households to identify which smart home devices/appliances they plan to definitely own in five years’ time.

FastSaleHomes.co.uk found that a digital home assistant (e.g.

Google Home, Amazon Echo etc.) is the smart home product that Brits (41%) most expect to own in five years’ time. Equally, 41% predict they will have a device which enables smart heating functions (e.g. Nest Learning Thermostat, Hive Heating Control etc.) within their property in five years.

Interestingly, 36% of Brits want to install smart lights in five years – allowing them to adjust the brightness/colour of lighting fixtures/ bulbs as well as schedule them to turn on/off when needed, over an app rather than doing it through a physical switch.

Likewise, 36% are aiming to fit a video doorbell in five years’ time –

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allowing them to check who is at their front door before opening it, for peace of mind and safety.

Information for immediate release FastSaleHomes.co.uk Given the exponential growth of immersive technology – 24% anticipate owning a virtual-reality (VR) headset in five years.

Contrastingly, a smart oven is the product Brits least desire to buy in the future, with only 17% wanting the appliance in five years.

Slightly above, 19% would respectively like a smart fridge and/or smart washer in their kitchen five years from now.

Furthermore, FastSaleHomes.co.uk from the report, also sought to determine the suppliers Brits would ideally prefer to purchase smart home products from.

FastSaleHomes.co.uk discovered Brits are most open to buying smart home products from a broadband provider (37%). Thereafter, 17% would use a reputable technology website to acquire the smart home devices/appliances they want.

Despite offering vast expertise and handy advice, just 15% of Brits are keen on a specialist smart home tech provider as a potential purchasing channel. Considering that a range of smart home devices/appliances are typically operated/accessed via a smartphone – a mere 6% have confidence in smartphone manufacturers as a legitimate shopping option for getting smart home technology.

Opposingly, Brits are not that enthusiastic about purchasing smart home products directly from social media companies as well as mobile phone operators, with only 2% wanting to do so from either prospective avenue.

Richard, the Managing Director of FastSaleHomes.co.uk commented: “The evolution of smart home technology over the last decade has been fantastic. There are now a ton of smart devices/appliances on the market, which primarily aim to make everyday tasks at home easier and quicker. As Brits continue to better understand the products and become more comfortable using them, the adoption rate of the technology will only increase. This research certainly shows that Brits have a firm idea of the smart home devices/ appliances they aspire to own in five years’ time. Similarly, providing a clear indication of the suppliers they would opt to use when committing to a purchase decision”. n For more information, please visit www.fastsalehomes.co.uk

Home Automation to enjoy

Awnings

Ventilation Cooling

Power Supply

Heating

domin iu m home management

Lighting

ETSI releases 3 new ontology specifications for Smart Cities, Industry 4.0 and Smart Agriculture Sophia Antipolis, 24 June 2019: Following the first three SAREF (Smart Applications REFerence ontology) specifications for energy, environment and buildings, the ETSI SmartM2M Technical Committee has just released three new specifications for smart cities, industry and manufacturing, and smart agriculture and food chain domains. These standards enable interoperability and therefore contribute to the development of the global digital market.

When the European Commission launched the SMART 2013/0077 Standardization Initiative on smart appliances, a survey was conducted. The outcome was to create commonly agreed semantics for smart appliances and build a reference ontology as an interoperability language, and, with the help of TC smartM2M and oneM2M, these standards are now a reality.

“The first ETSI SAREF specification was released in 2017; it was the first standard ontology in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.

As the IoT addresses a diversity of activity sectors and even the same specific function or feature, it may not be understood and interpreted the same way,” says Enrico Scaronne, Chair of ETSI TC smartM2M. “The smartM2M specifications provide interoperability between solutions from different providers and among various activity sectors. These standards are designed to run on top of the oneM2M system, the IoT partnership project of which ETSI is a founding partner. OneM2M provides the communication and interworking framework to share the data among applications; SAREF provides the semantic interoperability necessary to share the information carried by the data.”

The SAREF4CITY specification, ETSI TS 103 410-4, has been developed with the stakeholders who would need ontology such as other standardization bodies, associations, IoT platforms and European projects and initiatives. Use cases include eHealth and smart parking, air quality monitoring, mobility and street lighting.

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SAREF4CITY provides a common core of general concepts for smart city data for the IoT. The SAREF4INMA specification, ETSI TS 103 410-5, was developed to solve the lack of interoperability between various types of production equipment that manufacture items in a factory. It also enables different organizations in the value chain to uniquely track back the manufacturer items for the corresponding production equipment, batches and material and retrieve the exact time of production. The zero defects manufacturing use case has been used to improve the manufacturing process flexibility in order to switch from one manufactured product to another in a timely manner, generating as little yield loss as possible.

The SAREF4AGRI specification, ETSI TS 103 410-6, addresses the Smart Agriculture and Food Chain domain. Use cases focus on livestock farming and smart irrigation and the integration of multiple data sources for the purpose of providing decision support services located on the local Farm Management System of the farmers or provided by a service over the network. Sources of interest include GPS, meteorological data, remote observation via satellite and local observation using near or proximal sensors.

SAREF4AGRI provides for example the description of proximal sensors that measure relevant parameters for agriculture, including movement and temperature for cattle, moisture/ humidity in the soil, Ph value, salinity and plant colour (NDVI).

ETSI TC SmartM2M is also working to include more activity sectors and to complete the development of an open portal to gather direct contributions to SAREF by 2020. The stakeholders’ evolving data model inputs can then be directly reflected in the ETSI SAREF and oneM2M specifications. n

For more information visit www.etsi.org

€30 Million Triangulum sustainable cities project reaches successful completion

The €30 million award-winning Triangulum project is drawing to a close as the participating cities in the pioneering project begin to share the first results from the five-year long future smart cities programme.

Triangulum is one of 14 European Smart Cities and Communities Lighthouse Projects (SCC1) funded by the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme Horizon 2020. Since inception in February 2015, Triangulum has followed the journeys of three ‘Lighthouse’ cities: Manchester (UK), Eindhoven (NL) and Stavanger (NO) as each city implemented and tested innovative smart solutions in bids to create more sustainable urban environments. 22 partners from industry, research and government have steered and developed numerous mobility, energy, ICT and business improvement projects as three ‘follower’ cities from Lipzeig (D), Prague (CZ) and Sabadell (ES), and an additional Observer city, Tianjin (CHN) have shadowed developments; replicating the most successful concepts and solutions as Triangulum evolved.

In the UK, Manchester looked at the key issues of ICT, mobility and energy. Manchester City Council - the lead organisation of Triangulum in Manchester, The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University – partnered with Siemens as the technical partner to investigate how to balance energy consumption and demand, reduce costs and carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy along the city’s Oxford Road Corridor.

In 2019 Siemens upgraded the Building Energy Management System (BEMS) at Manchester Art Gallery to create a more stable indoor climate within the 200-year old listed building. The gallery houses priceless artefacts and artworks where the control of temperature and humidity were vital to the care and conservation of thousands of valuable pieces and the Grade III listed building itself. The replacement BEMS utilised a demand-side response operation that activated heating, cooling and humidity on a needs-basis while predictive analytics were used to return energy sources back onstream when required.

Siemens has been working with Manchester Met University on its distributed energy system at the university’s Birley Campus. A 400kWh lithium-ion battery, installed at the University Birley Campus which integrates with new solar panels also installed on the roof as part of the project. Together with the solar panels and the existing Combined

Heat Power (CHP), it can supply power to 900 student rooms and a large academic building. All these technologies are controlled by a Siemens microgrid controller which will choose the best energy source to use and whether the battery should store or release energy.

A central controller - cloud-based energy management platform – effectively functioned as a virtual power plant and managed the renewable loads in tandem with the BMS located at three sites around the city: the Central Library and Town Hall Extension for Manchester City Council, Alan Turing, Alan Gilbert and Ellen Wilkinson buildings at The University of Manchester. The controller integrated with the BMS systems and switched non-critical assets like heating and cooling on and off in response to demands on the grid to maximise energy efficiency; compensating for different weather conditions or changing populations in any of the buildings. The solution optimised energy consumption, reduced CO2 and lessened the area’s dependence on the grid. Scaled citywide the central controller could potentially save Manchester approximately 57,000t CO2 emissions per annum – that’s the same as taking 12,000 cars off the road each year!

The findings from the Manchester pilot will be used to develop smart city quarters in other cities around the world. With 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050 [UN] devising sustainable urbanisation solutions will be key to managing future growth and development.

On the conclusion of Triangulum and the completed energy-related work, Juergen Maier, CEO Siemens UK said: “We are immensely proud to have participated in Manchester’s smart city vision and have learned and demonstrated, in equal measures, that with the right blend of investment, technologies, governance and citizen engagement, cities can evolve to be eco-efficient and fit-for-the-future.

Triangulum has shown a blueprint for low-carbon, cost-efficient smart cities. Manchester and Siemens have proven it is achievable, repeatable and scalable. Now to meet the carbon neutrality targets set by many cities around the world – these projects need to be rolled out at city and regionally-wide scale to have a significant impact on energy consumption and carbon emissions.” n For further information, please visit www.siemens.co.uk/triangulum

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Wi-SUN Alliance survey provides insights to enable timely realisation of Smart Cities Assuring security and interoperability via certification remains critical for widespread deployment.

Smart cities are expected to be commonplace within the next 10 years, according to a new poll by Wi-SUN Alliance, a global ecosystem of member companies seeking to accelerate the implementation of open standards-based Field Area Networks (FAN) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Over half of respondents expect to see widespread smart city deployments in 10 or more years, while a third predict 5-10 years. Just 15 per cent expect it in less than 5 years.

However, half cite lack of funds or investment in projects as the biggest challenge currently holding back smart city development. A further 21 per cent point to security and privacy issues, while lack of interoperability (14 per cent) is also seen as a major factor in progressing deployments.

When asked about their specific security concerns, respondents point to data privacy as their biggest worry (37 per cent), while attacks on critical infrastructure (28 per cent) and network vulnerabilities (24 per cent) are also cause for concern.

Eleven per cent cite insecure IoT devices.

“It’s interesting to see the timeframe that many of our respondents place on smart city deployment, when in fact smart cities are already here,” according to Phil Beecher, President and CEO of Wi-SUN Alliance. “Smart lighting is being deployed using canopy mesh networks and is already helping to save operational costs through reduced energy consumption and better reliability. These deployments can be used to improve public safety and for additional services such as intelligent

transport systems, smart parking and electric vehicle charging stations.

“Certainly security and interoperability remain critical factors in any smart city deployment and one of the reasons why developers and utilities are increasingly specifying Wi-SUN technology as part of a robust, resilient and scalable wireless communications network. As more IoT devices connect to the network, the opportunity for major disruption through security vulnerabilities is increasing all the time, while greater IT/OT (operational technology) convergence, especially in utilities, will increase the risk of attacks on critical infrastructure.”

There are already more than 91 million Wi-SUN capable devices (Navigant Research) awarded globally as utility companies, service providers and city developers deploy new IoT applications and services for smart cities and utilities. Wi-SUN FAN is the network technology behind a number of major smart city projects around the world including City of London, Copenhagen and Glasgow, as well as a growing number of smart utility networks.

In a report by IoT Analytics, Miami was identified as the world’s number one city for connected streetlights, with nearly 500,000 units deployed, supported by Wi-SUN compatible technology.

Paris is number two with 280,000 connected streetlights retrofitted across the city with a Wi-SUN compatible mesh network. n For more information please visit www.attendee.gotowebinar.com/ recording/3961720014590687489

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Comelit connects smartHome technology with Mini Handsfree WiFi Kits Comelit Group has launched an internal Mini Handsfree monitor with integrated WiFi that offers installers an easy upgrade opportunity, which alongside Comelit’s new App, allows homeowners to benefit from instant intercom control and smart door entry capability.

The Italian door manufacturer, known for its high specification solutions, now presents the Mini Handsfree WiFi kits as a new internal wireless upgrade to its exclusive SimpleBus system, alongside complementing Quadra ViP and iKall metal external door entry solutions.

Simple to retrofit, the new kits operate with Comelit’s free downloadable App, created to ensure homeowners can respond to door entry requests from any compatible mobile or tablet device and benefit from video memory, to record missed calls.

Says Justin Hawkesford, Comelit Operations Manager: “To maintain and grow our position as the premier door entry specialist, we focus on anticipating convenient solutions that keep people powered and

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protected wherever they are, fitting today’s mobile-connected lifestyles.

“We are also conscious of simplifying the installation process to enable more installers the chance to offer this smart technology. The Mini Handsfree WiFi Kit allows existing SimpleBus monitors to be removed and WiFi monitors installed without requiring extra wiring or power supplies. When combined with the Comelit App, it presents the perfect solution.”

The Mini Handsfree WiFi Kit is designed with ease of installation in mind, with a clear interface ensuring a connection between its monitor and a user’s smartphone can be achieved in just a few easy steps.

With colour monitors and indicator LEDs for incoming calls, door open, privacy and pending messages as standard, homeowners will always be able to receive and answer calls from video door entry on their chosen smartphone or tablet. n

For further information, visit www.comelitgroup.com/en-gb/

Switch and dim lights, call up lighting moods, save energy

Play music, control multiroom systems

Time-dependent control of blinds and shutters, monitor windows and doors

Analyse data and consumption

See who is calling, display camera images, secure building

Display energy consumption, turn power outlets on and off, save electricity

Control and monitor building technology from outside

Regulate heaters and air conditioning units automatically, heat in an energy-conscious manner

Synchronise calendars and time clocks, play occupancy simulations

Save energy, manage energy consumption, heat in an energy-conscious manner, protect the climate

Call up weather forecasts, use weather services

Monitor and automatically open and close windows and doors, secure building

Control innovative building technology via radio

Use door communication and keyless access control, secure building

Simulate occupancy, use timers, secure building

Intelligent building technology from Gira

HOME AUTOMATION

Intelligent innovation FERMAX Professional, the audio & video door entry systems and control access systems manufacturer offers a variety of home automation and security solutions.

H

ere this leading developer outlines recent offerings, sector trends and some notable case studies working with a valued technical partner.

Turning a house or dwelling into a smart home requires intelligent flexible technology as well as innovative best practice by installers.

Future-proofing is a vital component in the engineering approach and familiar wiring habits must often be dispensed with if a building is to benefit from the adaptability of leading components.

Such adaptability is often evaluated by the end-user in terms of precise control and intuitive interfaces. Developments in home automation need to keep

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apace with the information technology and information-sharing improvements that residents see in their offices.

Push buttons with multiple, easily comprehensible functions must be seen to have replaced the humble switch if home technology is to be perceived as leading-edge. Smooth integration of video door-entry systems and apartment or house lighting with logical ‘scenarios’ is now a starting point for reputable manufacturers.

Apps proliferate in terms of user expectations As smartphone and tablet users benefit from increasingly powerful

Apps in all aspects of their lives, it is a logical step that they should want full management of their homes from similar platforms and with remote connectivity even for precise tasks and functions. Case studies now show how this functionality is achievable and fully robust. Impressive examples include projects such as the Kapertoren housing development in Hasselt, Belgium.

Hasselt is a Flemish city and municipality, and capital of the province of Limburg. The Kapertoren is being erected close to the Hasselt university campus and offers 76 homes over 16 storeys. It will use home automation by Dobiss, a Belgian

manufacturing company backed by the international FERMAX group. Dobiss have been innovators in the home automation field for over two decades and are respected for extensive R&D activity which focuses on high levels of functionality and ease of use.

The Kapertoren apartments employ Dobiss home automation from an NXT-server, a new master module, with full web-based architecture. The NXT server allows every apartment owner to easily manage and control their home automation installation remotely from anywhere with devices as diverse as a tablet, mobile phone or PC as well as via individual Cloud accounts. The installation has been optimized by

equipping every apartment with a DUOX VEO-XS touch monitor for easy control of the lights and shutters with ‘scenario’ routines and combinations. The site features DUOX video SKYLINE door panels with graphical displays to give visitors digestible information.

Best practice in notable Flanders project Other notable residential projects include the Warelles development in Rumbeke, west Flanders, which adjoins a noted area of deciduous forest. Each residence at Warelles has a unique layout and configuration of terrace and other individual amenities. There are 18 villa-style apartments as well as five penthouses across three blocks with

a general entrance gate with 23 push buttons. This is a full digital 2-wire door DUOX system with standard FE9415 Dobiss VEO-XS and Dobiss NXT-server.

FERMAX technology of this kind extends the concept of home automation and improves ease of life.

Temperature control can be precise and blind/shutter possibilities are varied.

Lighting combinations can be simple or subtle, and watering/irrigation can be automated. Facility automation of this kind makes going on holiday a less fraught process with reduced risks stemming from the ability to monitor the residence permanently.

Energy efficiency can be improved g with chronothermostats, notably the

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‘leaving home’ scenario which ensure that lights and devices are switched off when a resident leaves home but with the option to retain some light usage that simulates occupation in a random manner in order to deter burglars.

Passing on cost-savings This combined Dobiss and FERMAX approach becomes an attractive choice for all stakeholders in residential

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projects and notably property developers. Simple cabling and flexible installation options mean minimal engineering time on site so reducing disruption to other trades people who will be working to tight deadlines.

Modifications and upgrades are always achievable. Time-savings are achieved by the absence of vertical gaps between blocks and ceiling and tile drilling is necessary only for the

light point. Configuration is simplified thanks to intuitive procedures and many opportunities to replicate proven configurations in different apartments.

Cost-savings can be passed on to m & e contractors whose offering to the turnkey contractor becomes more attractive. n For more information please visit

www.fermax.com

Integrated Building Automation Solutions for System Integrators

BUILDING INTELLIGENCE 24

Sensor technology The Internet of Things for digitalized buildings

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he eyes and ears of a building—these are electronic sensors that already enable classic building automation systems (BMS) to control lighting, shading and room climate for instance. The deep networking ability of cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platforms and self-powered, maintenance-free sensors that can flexibly be placed everywhere in a facility, even on furniture, provide real-time insight into a building’s condition and

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technical health. This facilitates more efficient or even entirely new services through networking with other disciplines, such as multimedia, alarm systems, elevators and the parking area belonging to the building, to mention only a few. Each of these disciplines is getting smarter all the time and thus provides an entirely new dimension in digitalized services and business models.

By Andreas Schneider, CEO and Co-Founder of EnOcean

Smart light management In addition to HVAC and shading, lighting is an important part of classic building automation. Lighting solutions are getting smarter, and the light adjusts, for example, to the conditions within the home, office, shopping center or on the street—coordinated with daylight or occupancy. Dynamic lighting control and the adaptation of light to human biorhythms are also becoming increasingly more important.

Active light regulation ensures that employees are active and motivated throughout the workday.

The introduction of LED technology has brought about an enormous transformation in the area of lighting.

By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh of electricity in the United States alone. This is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1,000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than 30 billion US Dollars at today’s electricity prices. (Source: US Department of Energy – www.energy. gov/energysaver/save-electricity-andfuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/ led-lighting) Fundamental changes in electronics had to be developed to be able to efficiently control and regulate the new lamps. Occupancy sensors, for example, make it possible to automatically turn off lamps that are not needed. This is particularly sensible in large office environments, in which not all areas are occupied all the time.

Light sensors can adapt the brightness of indoor lighting to the amount of available ambient light (“daylight connection”). This is especially beneficial for buildings with large glass fronts where a lot of ambient light is available. Defining maximum brightness settings for dimmable lights (“task tuning”) avoids too brightly lit areas and optimizes the light level for individual areas.

Other sensors can also provide real-time insight into the building’s condition and technical health. Current

sensors measure energy consumption and energy savings per luminaire, per floor and for the entire building.

Motion sensors collect occupancy data and thus provide information on the use of office rooms, which helps optimize economical use. With an IoT infrastructure, the data collected by sensors can provide insight into the operating hours and usage history of lighting systems, for example, in order to improve the maintenance process.

Maintenance history shows events within the system, such as current peaks, voltage drops, devices that are offline and sporadic problems.

Important note: this is not only possible for new built facilities but for retrofits in existing buildings in particular. The Columbia Ivy League University in New York, consisting of 360 buildings and hundreds of thousands of lighting fixtures, is a good example of how an existing building can change its system to an IoTenabled lighting control.

Connected disciplines The IoT’s enormous potential lies in its interdisciplinary use of sensors.

For example, a motion sensor can control the lights, control the room climate according to demand in order to save energy and also ensure security within the building. The same is true of window contacts.

The optimum approach is to combine the motion sensor with window contacts, which protect against intruders and also prevent false alarms

due to open windows. If windows are opened, or if the room is unoccupied, the heat is turned down and the overall system is optimized in combination with algorithms that learn and suitably map user behavior. In connection with weather data on the Internet, a warning of imminent rain can be given in good time when windows are open.

Additional intelligence can also be added—such as light quality (e.g., light intensity, color mixture), temperature, moisture or air quality. All this data can be collected centrally in the system, processed in combination with other environmental data available on the Internet and distributed to other networked devices and disciplines within the building.

Data for new services Digitalization with the aid of distributed sensors and a cloud-based infrastructure enables facility managers to develop and automate new services.

This includes, for example, room use management. Presence sensors can detect at all times how many people use a conference room and how often or when the cafeteria is especially crowded. Room occupancy and thus the use of cost-intensive resources, such as heating, air-conditioning and lights as well as staff and inventory, can be optimized based on usage data.

Detailed usage patterns of the building, staff and inventory can be prepared with the aid of sensor data collected by additional sensors such g as door contacts, activity meters in

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electronic devices, etc. These patterns supply real-time information about the actual demand and allow appropriate measures to be taken. An IoT gateway interconnects the sensors and actuators over the Internet with cloudbased platforms such as IBM Watson, Amazon Echo, Microsoft Azure, Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Crestron to make services more efficient, energysaving and dependent on the situation.

Another example is the usagedependent maintenance and cleaning of sanitary facilities in office buildings.

Sensors supply the necessary data, such as how often the rest rooms are used or whether the toilet paper, towel and soap dispensers are running low on stock. Facility managers can use this data to organize their staff according to current requirements and always restock needed materials on time. This not only lowers costs but also increases user satisfaction.

A comfortable environment Greater user satisfaction also makes companies more attractive as landlords of office space. A comfortable atmosphere at the office has been proven to improve work productivity and to promote employee loyalty. Integrated

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sensors in office furniture make it possible to design the furnishings colorfully and individually according to requirements and simultaneously equip the offices, for example, with state-ofthe-art multimedia and smart light and heating control. Because of hidden sensors, employees are unaware of the IoT technology and notice primarily the comfort factor.

The list of optimized processes in a digitalized building is practically endless. For example, it can include sensors that sound the alarm if a water mains ruptures or in the event of a fire or break-in and thus prevent millions in insurance losses.

The self-powered Internet of Things Collecting reliable sensor data and combining the data properly links the physical world with the digital one, and the networked system can respond in a far more optimized way to changing demands or even create entirely new building services. However, more than 90% of buildings are existing real estate. Wireless solutions must therefore be considered for adding a comprehensive digital infrastructure.

This is the only way to establish the right cost-benefit ratio.

In the IoT with its thousands of data points, these sensors need to be self-powered. Using their surrounding environment as energy source the devices work without batteries.

Pressing a switch button for example provides enough kinetic energy to power a wireless signal. Solarpowered sensors harvest energy from typical indoor illumination thanks to highly efficient electronics and store the harvested energy to remain active for several days even in complete darkness. Self-powered switches and sensors use international open standards for wireless communication.

This includes the EnOcean radio standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-1X) by the EnOcean Alliance which is optimized and very well established in building automation. It provides easy commissioning and interoperable operation of devices from different vendors. Self-powered switches and sensor modules also talk native BluetoothÂŽ and Zigbee to connect to existing infrastructure provided by lighting companies.

Due to their specific characteristics of being wireless and batteryless, selfpowered devices can be placed freely and flexibly and added to at any time — above all, without requiring any maintenance. Batteries have served out their purpose in the IoT as a source of energy for sensors. Once the first battery has failed within the service life, the building operator will have to replace all batteries as a precaution.

This requires an incalculable amount of labor and correspondingly high costs that are not incurred with self-powered wireless components.

The self-powered IoT forms the basis of innovative buildings that sustainably meet individual needs now and in the future through digitalized new services for the users and managers of the rooms that we occupy every day. n For more information please visit www.enocean.com

—

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S M A RSTM H OTMH EO M E AR

ABB-free@home® ABB-free@home® Making home automation Making home automation BB-free@home® easier than ever. easier than ever. aking home automation asier than ever.

ART HOME

SMART TECHNOLOGY

Sailing to success Ever-widening applications of industrial control technology and smart automation have extended to sailboat racing and started at the top with the America’s Cup.

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E

therCAT is an Ethernet-based fieldbus system invented by Beckhoff Automation whose control technology proved to be a crucial aid in the race which always comes down to fine margins and sees fast, precise trimming – the process of tuning the hydrofoils and the wing sail’s position and profile to suit wind, course and swell. Helmsman Peter Burling and colleagues benefited from Beckhoff’s PC-based control whereby every function on the race boat could be controlled through a web interface on a tablet device. Fast precise diagnostics and enhanced ability to troubleshoot allowed best use of training and testing sessions on the water and contributed to victory.

It was hardly a standard brief. Emirates Team New Zealand had a number of unusual technical requirements. There was a need for compact, lightweight, high-performance controllers that would be capable of withstanding high

temperatures, exceptional moisture and salt levels, vibration and shock.

zero maintenance – even after we capsized spectacularly!”

Outstanding performance in harsh conditions It was the compact design and lightness of Beckhoff control technology that caught Emirates Team New Zealand’s eye. Dan Bernasconi, the team’s technical director, said: “When racing sailboats made entirely of lightweight composite materials, installing heavy electronic components is counterproductive.”

Despite their compact, lightweight construction, the Beckhoff components proved exceptionally reliable in an incredibly tough environment. Electronics engineer Stefano Morosin added: “In spite of the conditions we operate in, not one of the Beckhoff components failed, and they required practically

No winches Emirates Team New Zealand’s boat was the only one in the race not fitted with winches. Instead, all the vessel’s trim surfaces, barring the rudder, were controlled over EtherCAT by a Beckhoff Embedded PC. This resulted in exceptional precision, repeatability (a crucial criterion) and reliability, all of which kept the boat stable, fast and efficient. “A system capable of responding instantaneously to my input was essential for steering the boat,” explained Olympic gold medalist Blair Tuke who was the team’s foil trimmer.

Using PC-based control for the on-board systems opened up many possibilities for Emirates Team New Zealand. Control engineer

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Ryan Thomas explained: “The fact that we could use any PC software, plus the ease of communication between TwinCAT ADS libraries and the real-time controller – locally and over a network – gave us maximum flexibility when managing the system architecture.”

These were not the only benefits of TwinCAT3-based control. Emirates Team New Zealand had searched everywhere for controllers, sensors and other devices that would meet their exacting expectations. With the wide range of EtherCAT I/O modules, control system-integrated interfaces and gateway bus terminals and box modules from Beckhoff, they achieved all their connectivity and communication requirements. With Beckhoff technology, choosing the best option for a given application was never a problem. Ryan Thomas elaborated: “Using EtherCAT as our central bus system onboard, we achieved extremely fast response times and could integrate any number of other devices via gateways. When you’re not limited by communication protocols, your options expand enormously.”

The large quantities of data to

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be processed from position and pressure sensors, anemometers and other sources, plus the navigation calculations and the racing software all called for an exceptionally fast computer. A CX5140 Embedded PC with an Intel® Atom™ quad-core processor delivered the requisite computing power by making optimum use of all four of its CPU cores. The compact, lightweight design also made the PC ideal for this unusual application.

Advanced diagnostics on board Maximizing practice time spent on the water is essential to any successful America’s Cup bid, so fast, accurate diagnostics and troubleshooting were crucial for the optimum amount of live training and testing on the actual boat.

The diagnostic capabilities of EtherCAT and corresponding tools in TwinCAT 3 detected potential problems quickly – sometimes even before the boat’s crew spotted them. Stefano Morosin described the conditions: “In this harsh wet environment, connectors usually develop faults over time due to water ingress and gradual corrosion.

The ability to identify early on where this was likely to happen allowed us the greatest possible amount of

productive time on the water and helped to avoid situations that could harm the boat.”

Shore crew and support engineers needed a portable solution with an intuitive user interface to maintain the mechanical and hydraulic systems.

Through the web-based HMI options provided by TwinCAT, every function implemented on the race boat could be controlled through a web interface on a tablet device – the ideal portable control unit for maintenance tasks.

Looking ahead to the 36th America’s Cup. After winning the 35th America’s Cup, the pressure is on for the NZ team to successfully defend its title especially since it will host the race’s 36th staging in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2021. Each race team will use a Beckhoff PLC to control its hydrofoil cant system via EtherCAT. Emirates Team New Zealand has welcomed Beckhoff as an official supplier and is looking forward to using the company’s PC-based control architecture to redefine performance boundaries of high-speed boat racing. n For more information visit

www.beckhoff.com

TAKE COMFORT IN YOUR HONEYWELL CONNECTED HOME.

Comfort, safety, security.

It’s in your hands.

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Smart building expo 2019 Convergence in the digital era

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oming to Fiera Milano this November: the event dedicated to digital technologies for networked buildings and the smart city. Three days featuring the most innovative solutions, with updates for professionals.

Milan, 4 July 2019 - Four months before it starts, expectations for the second edition of Smart Building Expo, the technological convergence exhibition scheduled to be held at Fiera Milano on 13 to 15 November 2019, are on the rise.

Organised by Fiera Milano and

Pentastudio, and sponsored by the main industrial and professional associations, Smart Building Expo will be a unique occasion to review the development of the networked building market, which is currently undergoing a profound transformation. Integration is by now not just a technological requirement, but an essential need: we are witnessing a fully fledged smart revolution which, among the many applications of widespread connectivity, is profoundly transforming buildings and cities.

Smart Building Expo 2019, starting from

home&building automation and system integration - the heart of the exhibition even in its first edition - is thus expanding its coverage to the smart city, with the strategic issue of 5G connectivity, as well as systems for the production of renewable power and energy efficiency upgradation.

The exhibition aims to present the market of digital infrastructure together with that of its applications to buildings and cities, starting from the common denominator digital technologies - and branching out into its various embodiments, counting on the fact that strategic sectors like

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security are already amply represented by SICUREZZA, the main Italian and among leading European exhibitions for the security industry, which will be held at the same time. The synergies between the two exhibition - and their technologies and markets - consolidates their potential while offering advantages for professional users, who will be able to visit both and review their complementary and ever growing offerings.

Both will be showcasing the latest technologies, thanks to the already confirmed participation of the leading brands, as well as offering professional training and refresher courses for all technicians involved in the design and installation of building equipment.

Professional training is one of the priority attractions of Smart Building Expo, with a high level scientific programme arranged by the Steering Committee, which includes representatives of leading professional and academic bodies in the fields of building automation and telecommunications among its members.

The Committee is already engaged, in this fast changing market scenario, in identifying the issues of greatest

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interest to all professional categories and positions in the networked building market.

The tip of the spear of the event will be the Milano Smart City Conference, sponsored by the Ministry for Economic Development and supported by the scientific participation of the Ugo Bordoni Foundation.

The Conference will consist of three intense working days, each of which will include an institutional morning session, with international keynote speakers of high scientific profile, and a more technical afternoon session with illustrations of best practice and scientific posters. Each day will feature a different verticalisation, inspired by three different operational focuses of the Italian Government: the digital infrastructure, smart city-enabling technology, with a particular emphasis on 5G; smart mobility and logistics, a moment of fusion between the virtuality of networks and the physicality of urban transport in the era of self-driving cars and e-mobility; urban security and monitoring, a predictive and soft response to the problems of urban areas in terms of security and territorial control.

The training programme, thanks to a rich offering of seminars and workshops, will cover every technological area of the exhibition, with different offerings for all professional profiles: from new domotics to active energy efficiency systems, along with smart applications for the office, retail and the startup ecosystem, which has become fertile ground for large companies looking for innovative solutions. Considerable attention will also be paid to the impact of technological innovation on the housing market and the digital revolution in infrastructure design, where BIM, BMS and BEMS will increasingly form the terrain for the emergence of new professional synergies.

A concrete proposal of the highest level, constructed in synergy with industrial bodies like the professional associations of architects and engineers of Milan and the Dipartimento ABC of Politecnico di Milano, which in many cases will enable designers, installers, system integrators, building administrators and real estate agents to obtain professional credits. n For more information visit www.sicurezza.it

AUTOMATION

Collaborative robots De-bunking the misconceptions of automation Mark Gray, Universal Robots

A

utomation has become a fundamental part of keeping up and enhancing productivity in the ever so competitive world of manufacturing. Businesses that do not at least partly automate processes risk being left behind as the industry rapidly moves forward in the digital age. Being a relatively new development however, a number of misconceptions around the technology behind it and how it is being used has emerged. Are robots here to take over our jobs, leaving us humans redundant?

Can we, as SMEs, afford automation?

Will we have to completely rebuild our business structure and factory setup to make room for automation? These are all questions to be considered in this article, in an attempt to bring clarity into the mysterious world of automation and clear up some of the most frequent confusion surrounding it.

A term often associated with

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automation tends to be Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whilst the term raises concerns about machines potentially taking over the role of the human by giving them a ‘mind of their own’, the truth is that automation rarely equates to AI. Rather than AI, manufacturers should familiarise themselves with the notion of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which can be seen as a solution on the other end of the Intelligent Automation (IA) spectrum. RPA refers to a process where robots are implemented into manufacturing processes to mimic and support human actions, rather than work autonomously from them in isolation. The widespread concern around automation seems to be the idea that AI powered machines are here to replace us humans, highlighted by the rise of smart AI powered solutions such as self-driving cars and a multitude of personal AI assistants such as Alexa, Siri and Cortana. However, in manufacturing, the role of automation is to provide a

helping hand to the human workforce rather than replace them. This is where automation in the form of collaborative robots comes in.

Collaborative robots (cobots) have been designed to work as an extension to the human worker, and not as a separate unit. Their purpose is to provide human employees a helping hand in the most repetitive, labourous and mundane tasks. They are programmed to do simple tasks in collaboration with their human colleagues, and can be based right on the factory floor next to the existing workforce due to their extensive safety features. The fear of AI is therefore ungrounded here, as the cobots do not need to be self-sufficient or think for themselves to provide real value to operations. It is in their straightforward application that they bring benefits to manufacturing – in fact, the most successful automation projects today use robots purely as tools.

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Putting the human touch back into manufacturing Agility and responsiveness to market demands have become essential requirements for manufacturers in order to remain competitive. Customers expect higher levels of personalisation in their products and require the freedom to adapt the product line when circumstances demand. This has led to the need to put the human touch back into manufacturing following the industry 4.0 boom. Simply put, automation today can no longer mean ‘lights-out’ factories where machines work independently without supervision.

Instead, they should act as reinforcements to the human workforce as a means of increasing output without limiting opportunities for customisation or short production runs. With recent political pressures and the consequential labour and skills gap, the need for manufacturers to find solutions to improve productivity without increasing input has become even more vital – a challenge cobots have become the most viable option to tackle.

Contrary to popular belief, we can now conclude that robots are not here to take over our jobs. Whilst it cannot be denied that specific tasks will be made redundant with the introduction of automation, such as simple pick & place tasks, it will introduce a multitude of new and more valuable roles in supporting functions. The

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human workers will therefore not lose their value in manufacturing, though the jobs they are responsible for will change. In fact, whilst an expected 75 million jobs are likely to be displaced by robots by 2022, they will introduce another 133 million new ones for human workers according to the ‘Future of Jobs 2018’ report by the World Economic Forum. Therefore, even if robots take over work in areas such as assembly from human employees, they will create newer – and higher paying – jobs in fields like programming, quality control and back office operations, allowing human employees to be upskilled instead.

Through mass investment in robotics, Amazon has claimed a solid place at the forefront of the automation movement.

The company would certainly not be able offer the low costs as well as speed of operations and delivery we’re accustomed to today without the help of automation.

Following their early success, Amazon today has over 100,000 robots working at warehouses around the world to lessen the physical workload previously put on humans, whilst enjoying significantly enhanced efficiency – making sure your package turns up on your door step the next day if need be! What’s more, no people were laid off when the robots were installed – in fact, it created a multitude of new roles which required additional employees to be hired.

Automation accessible to all It has long been assumed that true automation can only be achieved by large enterprises with big budgets. Traditionally, only large factories invested in industrial robots as they were expensive, difficult to program and set up, requiring a large amount of space for the safety-caging.

Cobots have proved game-changing as they make automation simple, costeffective and achievable for companies of all sizes, especially SMEs. They are small

enough to easily move around the factory floor, whilst not taking up too much of valuable floor space. Due to their size, ease of use and flexibility, cobots can provide even the smallest factories an affordable automation option.

Cobots further offer a safe future investment to all companies thanks to their flexibility and ease of use: no matter what task they were originally brought in to do, they can easily be re-programmed by existing staff to perform a completely different job when need be. Even if the company decided to completely change the product line they were manufacturing, the cobots will be able to adapt accordingly with minimal disruption. This is crucial especially for SMEs competing on the market with larger corporations, as the ability to adapt to changing customer demands can be the difference between winning or losing business.

By adapting the mentality of using robots simply as a tool is the true key to unlocking greater productivity in manufacturing.

Manufacturers need to keep up with current trends of automating processes and move towards ‘the factory of the future’ – this doesn’t however need to be a huge stride into the unknown, as collaborative robots provide an easy way of taking the first step towards automation without having to stretch budgets or make human employees redundant. The most efficient and costeffective solutions will include humans and machines working together – as demonstrated by researchers, robot-human teams are about 85% more productive than either working in isolation. Smaller manufacturing businesses need to consider flexible collaborative robots as a first – and less intimidating – step into the world of automation. n For more information please visit www.universal-robots.com

SMART CITIES: IS YOUR CITY KEEPING UP?

PRODUCT LISTINGS

Electrical installations in both industrial and consumer buildings need to meet the new challenges of our growing power needs. To increase the energy efficiency of buildings, while at the same time integrating consumers into the load compensation, will mean that controlling the switching of electrical devices on or off according to external signals, such as time and consumption, will be vital. www.new.abb.com/smartgrids/ smart-grid-technologies/smarthome-and-intelligent-buildings

ASSA ABLoY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience.

Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLoY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 46,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales close to SEK 68 billion.

The Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/

The Bosch Smart Home range includes both Single System products and System Solution products.

Test the range of smart solutions to understand how these products are able to assist you in your daily lives; offering additional comfort, security for peace of mind and energy efficiency, saving you money within your home. Connectivity is more than just technology, it is now part of our every-day lives making life easier and allowing more time for the things that really matter! www.bosch-smarthome.com

Designed to be offered as a service from the ground up. Enabling our channel partners – insurers, telcos and builders - to add value to their core business creating a more intimate relationship with their consumer and B2B customers. The Cozify platform offers complete flexibility in data gathering and utilization. If so chosen, none of the data leaves the Cozify Hub. Alternatively, with consent from end users, the data can be extracted and analysed to support business decision making. www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners

Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space.

In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries.

Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/

Enado has over 15 years of experience in the installation and provision of home automation systems. our multiple award winning platform allows multiple, disparate manufacturer systems and devices in the home, integrated into one solution. Industry standard offering of lighting and energy to facilitate control of multiple consumer electronics devices including satellite receivers, smart tv’s, sky and other satellite boxes. www.enado.com

Energenie is part of Sandal Plc a public listed uK technology company, Sandal Plc is the brand and IP owner of the Mi|Home smart home system. The Mi|Home ecosystem can control heating, lighting and electrical appliances via both plug and play and retro fit actuators, including radiators valves, retrofit wall sockets and retro-fit light switches. The system also includes a range of sensors that are able to control the Mi|Home actuators allowing for a smarter experience. https://energenie4u.co.uk/

eQ-3 Group is one of the leading innovation and technology companies for home control and consumer electronics. eQ-3 provides the largest product portfolio in the industry and has placed more than 21 million wireless home control devices in almost one million households in the market. eQ-3 is the European market leader in smart home with regard to the installed base of whole home solutions and electronic radiator thermostats. www.HomeMatic.com

40 I Winter 2018 I SMArT AuToMATIon

A Fortune 100 company, Honeywell invents and manufactures technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, safety, security, productivity and global urbanization. Our connected portfolio of products, services and software spans multiple industries and is able to deliver end-to-end solutions that improve quality of life for people around the globe. www.honeywell.com

Paxton10 delivers out of the box access control, IP video management and building automation. It interfaces with existing building infrastructure to control lighting, heating, air conditioning, intruder and fire alarms. The system comprises a web-based user interface for easy building management and a selection of discreet hardware. www.paxton10.com

NorthQ is a Danish IoT manufacturer which specializes in developing home automation and energy management solutions. Company’s products serve as an innovative tool to track, control and optimize energy consumption.

Our vision, A New Way of Living, entails responsibility for the environment and conscious decision-making regarding the energy we use on a daily basis.

Our newest product, the Q-Reader is a universal meter reader providing real-time data from various electricity, gas, heat, and water meters. www.northq.com

EcoStruxure™ With Innovation At Every Level, we are redefining power and automation for a new world of energy. We operate in over 100 countries with around 144,000 employees worldwide. www.schneider-electric.com

Building technology with its integrated disciplines such as building automation, fire safety, security, lighting, and lowvoltage power distribution is often indispensable and forms the heart of a Total Building Solution from Siemens. www.buildingtechnologies. siemens.com

Trend is one of the world’s leading Building Energy Management Systems manufacturers, with a worldwide distribution and support network covering over 50 countries.

Its fully integrated control solutions are able to meet the most complex requirements of modern buildings. www.trendcontrols.com

Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Homes. The Viva Smart Home Platform is a turn-key white label platform that uses artificial intelligence to learn family behaviour and automatically programme smart home services.

Service Providers can launch plugand-play products and services, like home security, heating, lighting and home protection, which improve family life for everyday living rather than being a throwaway gadget. www.meetviva.com

PRODUCT LISTINGS

With subsidiaries and representative offices in 11 countries, FERMAX is placed among the most important brands in the world. At Fermax, we have been cultivating our passion for design, technology and innovation for the past 65 years. www.fermax.com

Desigo™ building automation – flexible and energy-efficient The intelligent system for all building types, sizes and all applications www.siemens.com/desigo

Answers for infrastructure.