The problem our project solves
The current COVID-19 pandemic is currently amongst the greatest challenges facing Countries, enterprises and people globally. COVID-19 is highlighting weaknesses and strengths that modern societies have to face on a daily basis. In this new scenario, digital technology is playing a key role in developing innovative measures to fight the virus and reinvent the way of living and working together. This means that telecommunications, media, digital technology have never been so important in our life. For these reasons, all EU Countries are strengthening their commitment to ensure that infrastructures, networks and connectivity keep people safe and well connected. In particular, networks must be robust and flexible enough to handle additional traffic thus allowing people to work, run a business, follow e-learning courses and keep them socially connected.
In consideration of this exceptional situation, also Infratel Italia SpA is intensifying its efforts and interventions to meet the emerging needs of citizens, enterprises and public administrations. Infratel Italia SpA is an in-house company of the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE). Operational since 2005, it is in charge of implementing the Broadband and Ultrabroadband Plans of the Italian Government as well as other infrastructural programs within the Country.
Analyzing data coming from the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), it can be inferred that for the EU Countries the main success factors to strengthen their digital competitiveness are:
- Connectivity, namely the spread of broadband infrastructure and its quality;
- Human capital, namely the skills needed to take advantage of the digital offer;
- Use of online services by citizens for purchases, to access banking services, watch videos, play music and so on;
- Integration of digital technology in the business sector: i.e. the use of ecommerce;
- Digital public services, eGovernment and eHealth.
In particular, by adopting digital technologies, companies can improve their efficiency, reduce costs and increase customers and business partners’ involvement.
The solution we bring to the table
By focusing on the implementation by the EU Member States of the National Broadband Plans (NBPs), it seems clear that the integration of digital technologies in the various business sectors is still quite low. We therefore propose a technology that allows the continuity of processes promoting smart working thus respecting the social distancing. Although the presence on the market of several applications that allow people to monitor the status of the workplace (building sites in our case study) and evaluate certain parameters, most of them present limitations such as static real time vision, reduced management, poor scalability. Our project aims to create a model that can overcome them, with the purpose of drastically reduce the number of employees on the field, while maintaining the remote control of all the activities performed on the construction site. Some features of our solution: The device (smart glasses) is equipped with new generation sensors and connected to a smartphone in order to ensure the streaming of the data collected on field through Lte or wi-fi networks. In case of connectivity loss, the HD camera is able to record videos and capture photos, storable on the device and transferable once the network becomes available again. All data collected are georeferenced thanks to an on-board GPS. The augmented reality platform supports on-field operators; workers can be aided in the most complex tasks through remote visual assistance. Joining a virtual workplace, users will be able to access IT resources in a persistent or temporary way, without the need to rely on a physical infrastructure. Edge computing brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed. Our solution strives to create a unified and distributed infrastructure that remote workplaces can rely on. The innovation resides in two aspects: on the one hand we want to improve response time and usability of graphic demanding applications, on the other we want to improve end-user experience thanks to both an intuitive interface and an integrated resource management.
What we have done during the weekend
During the weekend, the team has mainly focused its work on collecting all the data and information useful to explain as clearly as possible the positive impact that our project may have, both during and after the crisis. More in depth, some teammates have been focused on gathering and analysing data related to the savings that this solution could entail, its scalability and positive impact both on the world of work and on the environment, since fewer business trips will be needed. The rest of the team has been involved both in the preparation of the video pitch and in drafting the textual pitch.
The solution’s impact to the crisis
The project we are developing will allow us to provide a concrete answer to the new context which is taking shape due to the virus. In particular, when it comes to the building sites’ management, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a twofold impact: it is pointing out both the criticalities linked to the processes and the need of new and innovative models, that will most likely be strategic even when this emergency phase will be over. The integration of employees’ activities, even if they are working in two different Regions, could preserve the productivity without putting workers at risk. Moreover, the integration of augmented reality (Gisfo and 3Eye platforms) maximize the effectiveness of the inspection process as the device acts as a remote eye for the inspector who verifies and validates works conformity. Furthermore, the system acquires images and strategic information for later use and the on-field operator can work hands-free while performing the inspection.
The necessities in order to continue the project
Our tool will use geolocation to process fundamental project data (such as distance between elements on the construction site or the distance covered by the built infrastructure). In order to reach the maximum level of precision, we are planning to use the triangulation with the data coming from the existing mobile cells, which should lead to an accuracy below one meter. The availability of a robust Internet connection represents another crucial point since it is essential to transfer high resolution videos and data, that can be edited on the GisFo map by the user. In particular, this is a big challenge in case the tool is used indoors or underground, where the connection quality may be lower.
The value of our solution after the crisis
The advantages of the the project are manifold, even when the crisis will be over:
- Job security – social distancing: limited number of employees on the field both prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease and work related injuries;
- Scalability: this is a versatile instrument that can be used throughout the whole production process;
- Affordability, as it drastically reduce business travel costs. More in details, our company, Infratel Italia SpA, could save approximately € 450.000/year. In Italy this saving could reach around €75.780.000/year in Europe € 3.636.083.000/year and worldwide € 63.087.313.000/year . According to our computation, these numbers represent approximately a saving og the 24% of all the costs for business trips in the construction industry, respectively for Italy, Europe and World.
- Efficiency: it improves the management of remote activities;
- Reduced environmental impact: movements of fewer people in the area lead to lower CO2 emissions. This is particularly relevant if we consider that according to our forecasts, thanks to our project, 0,0001% of the total emissions produced yearly wordlwide could be saved . More in details, according to our estimates, our company (Infratel Italia SpA) could save 124 tons of CO2/year for business trips1. In Italy this saving could be of 3.410Tons/year, in Europe 324.023Tons/year and worldwide of 8.533.447Tons/year1. According to our computation these numbers represent approximately a saving og the 25% of all the CO2 Emissions for usiness trips in the construction industry, respectively for Italy, Europe and World.
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