The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the final set of horizon scans in its recent series, examining trends in technological innovation that will shape society and the built environment over the next decade. RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation includes four horizon scans that consider how technological innovation,
Tarkett, a global leader in recyclable flooring solutions, has launched its groundbreaking virtual reality ‘Human Conscious Design Platform’ (HCDP). This technology enables users to experience how physical spaces may look, sound and feel from the perspective of someone who is neurodivergent. One in seven people is estimated to be neurodivergent, meaning
NAVTOR has taken another step forward on its ambitious growth path with the acquisition of specialist software development company Masterloop. With a proven track record within IoT (Internet of Things), AI and web solutions, Masterloop’s arrival boosts NAVTOR’s innovation and development team, already strengthened by the acquisition of Voyager Worldwide
Henkel has further expanded the portfolio of its industrial internet of things (IIoT) solution Loctite Pulse by launching two novel innovative offerings: Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring and Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection. These cutting-edge solutions mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to expanding its broad Maintenance Repair and
INDUSTRIES and businesses which fail to embrace the safe deployment of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to improve their operations may face a similar fate as those who shunned other major technological opportunities such as the Industrial Revolution or the internet. That was the view shared at a major industry conference
Major milestone heralds significant shift towards circular economics in distribution of building materials In a world first for construction – and marking a fundamental shift towards circular economics in the transportation of building materials in the UK – the first batch of reusable green, RFID-tagged* pallets from The Pallet LOOP,
A consortium of mechanical and civil engineering, and robotic automation industry leaders, including Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd (TES), i3D robotics (i3D), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Costain, and VVB Engineering, has developed the first robotic and AI solution set to revolutionise the installation of mechanical and civil services in
Energy Networks Association (ENA) has launched ENA Connect Direct, the single online form creating a better, faster and more accurate process for connecting domestic low-carbon technologies (LCTs) to the electricity network. ENA Connect Direct modernises and simplifies the application process, which can be slow and reliant on manual processes. It
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, was named a winner in the Business Intelligence Group’s (BIG) Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards program. The awards recognise organisations, products and people who bring artificial intelligence to life and apply it to solve problems and realise opportunities. The AI-powered
More than 4,000 industry leaders, tech experts and policymakers will convene at Manchester Central this July for Siemens’ Transform 2024 to explore digital and sustainable transformation, including the contribution that fire protection systems and BMS (Building Management Systems) can make in this regard. The free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition, which
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the final set of horizon scans in its recent series, examining trends in technological innovation that will shape society and the built environment over the next decade. RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation includes four horizon scans that consider how technological innovation, including AI, will impact the built environment and the practice of architecture. They ask how architects can respond to this global shift and embrace a technologically enabled and empowered future. Commissioned by RIBA to provide foresight for building design professionals, the scans are written by leading academics and experts. The four horizon scans are: These horizon scans ask how architects can anticipate and take advantage of the opportunities posed by technological innovation, in areas such as design and business. They consider the ethical implications of the digitisation of the building industry and ask how resources can be shared across the global profession. They also examine what new demands the automation of construction might place on architects and ask important questions about professional agency in the era of AI. RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation is part of the RIBA Horizons 2034 series interrogating the global megatrends predicted to shape society, the built environment, and the architectural profession by 2034. Previous scans focused on the environmental challenge, the economics of the built environment, and population change. A final report summarising the series will be published this summer. RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “Architects have successfully adapted to many waves of technological change, but the advent of artificial intelligence poses bigger questions for the profession than ever before. Will AI change architecture as we know it? What are the creative, ethical and technical implications of AI and automation? And how can we harness new technology to ensure the built environment meets the needs of the future? I encourage all building professionals to read these scans to prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.” Editor of RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation, Professor Phillip Bernstein, Associate Dean and Professor Adjunct at the Yale School of Architecture, said: “Unlike earlier technology disruptors like computer-aided design (CAD) or even building information modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence has placed immediate demands on the architectural profession. It requires architects to understand and respond both within and without their practices. The Technological Innovation scans speculate on the future world of practice and set a vision for architecture’s response that must include proactive comprehension, strategic foresight, and a bias toward innovation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tarkett, a global leader in recyclable flooring solutions, has launched its groundbreaking virtual reality ‘Human Conscious Design Platform’ (HCDP). This technology enables users to experience how physical spaces may look, sound and feel from the perspective of someone who is neurodivergent. One in seven people is estimated to be neurodivergent, meaning their brain functions, processes information and reacts to sensory stimuli differently than those considered neurotypical. Common examples include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dementia. Increasingly, communities and organisations recognise that fostering true inclusivity requires designing environments suitable for every neurotype. “Our new Human Conscious Design Platform represents a major leap forward in Tarkett’s ‘Human-Conscious Design’ philosophy of creating spaces that are good for people and planet. It builds on our existing industry-leading work around designing for dementia and the ‘Through their eyes’ VR experience that we launched in 2018,” said Shaz Hawkins, Segment Marketing Manager at Tarkett. “This latest technology continues our drive to cultivate invaluable empathy and understanding amongst architects, designers, organisations and the public by allowing them to experience an environment through a neurodivergent lens first-hand. This can help shape more accommodating, equitable spaces where all individuals feel welcomed and are able to thrive.” The HCDP has been developed following a couple of years worth of research and development including interviews with neurodivergent individuals, teachers, businesses and support organisations as well as extensive desktop research. The platform immerses users in virtual environments like offices, schools, hospitals and care homes rendered to highlight sensory stimuli that may overwhelm, understimulate or distress someone with sensory processing differences. Users can toggle augmented sound, lighting and other elements to vividly experience an environment from multiple neurodivergent perspectives. To support the launch of the VR platform, Tarkett is also rolling out a RIBA-accredited Human Conscious Design continuing professional development (CPD) course to educate architects and designers on the principles and best practices for inclusive design addressing neurodiversity. The team has also published a report, Human Conscious Design Principles, to help organisations and designers understand neurodiversity better along with practical advice on how to create inclusive spaces. To download the guide and learn more about Tarkett’s Human Conscious Design approach and the new HCDP virtual reality platform, visit the website. Architects and designers interested in the RIBA CPD course can find out more here [Tarkett CPD materials – ribacpd.com]. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NAVTOR has taken another step forward on its ambitious growth path with the acquisition of specialist software development company Masterloop. With a proven track record within IoT (Internet of Things), AI and web solutions, Masterloop’s arrival boosts NAVTOR’s innovation and development team, already strengthened by the acquisition of Voyager Worldwide in December. The Norwegian-headquartered business will now focus resources on the continued push for data-driven efficiency, performance and decarbonisation for customers, integrating further solutions into its connected digital ecosystem. Fresh perspectives “Masterloop provides another piece of the digital puzzle as we continue our mission to make life easier, safer and more profitable for shipping companies worldwide,” comments Tor Svanes, NAVTOR Founder and CEO. “The team’s industrial IoT strength and maritime understanding, highlighted by their Bluekey vessel efficiency application, will feed into our drive to enhance our portfolio with intelligent, data-based, AI solutions that simplify the increasingly complex operational reality faced by today’s maritime businesses. “Masterloop brings something new to the table, with fresh perspectives and broad experience gained from outside of shipping too. We believe they can help accelerate our innovation, as we push to deliver transformational technology for an evolving industry. It’s great to have them on board.” Shared visions NAVTOR is the world leader in e-Navigation and performance solutions, with products and services aboard over 18,000 vessels in the world fleet. Masterloop, meanwhile, has made a name for itself with a proprietary IoT platform, Bluekey and a smart bike-sharing application CityBike Cloud. Its client history includes names such as Easee, Zaptec, Kolumbus and Kverneland Group. Jan Helge Skailand, Masterloop’s Founder and CEO, has a long history of collaboration with NAVTOR. He was originally one of the founding team in 2011, taking the role of CTO, before leaving to form Masterloop in 2013. The two companies have collaborated on numerous projects since that point. Deep-dive expertise “In many ways this feels like ‘coming home’,” says Skailand. “I know NAVTOR very well and the two companies share the same values, innovation culture, and commitment to developing new solutions that unlock powerful benefits for users. However, we also have a deep-dive domain specialization within IoT and have gained experience from working alongside a unique mix of customers. So, I think we have something to offer a team that is already at the vanguard of maritime technology. I can’t wait to see what comes of this.” Masterloop’s team of ten, based in Norway and Sri Lanka, will now join NAVTOR’s global network of approximately 400 specialists. A key task will see them feeding competence into the Green AI for Sustainable Shipping (GASS) project, which is now tailoring digital twin and AI-based tech to introduce ‘dynamic voyage optimisation’ for vessels, aiming to cut emissions by up to 20%. Purpose driven development “We want to lead from the front and help change the industry with smart technology,” comments NAVTOR CTO Anders Holme. “Optimising performance and energy efficiency is one of our main focuses, helping our customers comply with stricter regulations, dramatically reduce fuel costs, and, of course, work towards ambitious decarbonisation goals. “We have a strong sense of purpose and an important role to play. It’s great to see a talented team like Masterloop buying into that, enhancing our capacity as we seek to ‘make a real difference’ for the industry we serve.” NAVTOR offers a comprehensive range of integrated smart shipping solutions, including advanced planning platform NavStation, fleet performance software NavFleet, and unique digital logbooks, amongst other products and services. To discover more please see www.navtor.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henkel has further expanded the portfolio of its industrial internet of things (IIoT) solution Loctite Pulse by launching two novel innovative offerings: Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring and Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection. These cutting-edge solutions mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to expanding its broad Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) portfolio and delivering advanced technology to industrial operations worldwide. Driven by a mission to redefine industrial reliability, Loctite Pulse leverages over 70 years of industrial brand expertise to offer a comprehensive suite of IIoT solutions. From state-of-the-art monitoring sensor technology to trusted solutions for both static and rotating equipment, the brand empowers industries to stay ahead of plant failures, helping to reduce downtime and enhancing safety and sustainability. The Loctite Pulse app enables the monitoring of critical assets with just a few clicks and thus significantly facilitates the maintenance of a broad variety of assets without the need for any additional IT implementation. It provides alerts and information about the equipment status to effectively support users in prioritizing tasks and scheduling shutdowns. Key features of the new solutions include: “We are excited to unveil these groundbreaking solutions as part of our expanded portfolio,” said Dr. Kourosh Bahrami, Corporate Senior Vice President General Manufacturing and Maintenance, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “With our offer in smart maintenance and advanced IIoT technology, we are empowering industrial customers to enhance reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.” The new solutions amplify the connection between Loctite’s IIoT portfolio and Henkel´s MRO core product range. Smart Rotating Equipment Monitoring allows customers to monitor critical assets like pumps, motors, and gearboxes, detect issues early, and apply proven solutions from Loctite’s extensive MRO product range to solve the issues. Similarly, Smart Pipes and Tanks Leak Detection links seamlessly to Loctite’s established composite repair, sealing, and coating solutions. This integrated approach ensures that problems are diagnosed while corresponding repair products are being offered from a single source. Loctite Pulse goes beyond predicting and identifying failures – in case of interest the company helps customers to find smart fixes by offering high-performing, long-lasting repair products. Henkel introduced Loctite Pulse in 2021 and quickly expanded the offering with the Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Trap solution in 2023. The solutions are being implemented at corporates as well as small and medium-sized enterprises from the oil and gas, chemical, and food and beverage industries, as well as in Henkel’s production facilities. At Henkel’s production site in Düsseldorf, for example, the Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Trap solution provides instant information via the smartphone app, allowing prompt identification of blockages or blow throughs. “With Loctite Pulse Smart Steam Traps, we can react immediately and do not have losses of several months, which cost us money,” explained Annegret Schindlmeyr, Sustainability Manager at Henkel. In addition to the portfolio expansion, Loctite Pulse has received multiple prestigious market accolades for its innovations, including Engineering Product of the Year 2023 by the DEA, the Digital Innovation Award 2023 by BEMAS, the New Technology Award 2024 by OTC, the „Best Smart Industry 4.0 Solutions Award“ of IOT Solutions World Congress, and the Real Innovation Technology Award (RITA) 2024 in the Product Innovation category. To learn more about Loctite Pulse and its expanded portfolio, visit the respective websites for North America and Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
INDUSTRIES and businesses which fail to embrace the safe deployment of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to improve their operations may face a similar fate as those who shunned other major technological opportunities such as the Industrial Revolution or the internet. That was the view shared at a major industry conference – “Harnessing Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Challenging Environments” – which attracted almost 300 delegates and exhibitors to the event at Energus, Workington, Cumbria on Tuesday (May 21). Attendees heard how embracing robotics and AI can help meet the two global challenges of climate change and energy security. Delegates heard RAICo, a collaboration between UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester, plays a vital role, aiding collaboration and bringing the greatest minds together – including end-users, problem-holders and researchers – to find solutions to shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges. The deployment of robotics and AI was described as being key to accelerating nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering in a way which delivers missions safer, faster and more cost effectively. Keynote speakers from the nuclear sector, including Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of the UKAEA; Mr David Peattie, CEO of the NDA; Mr Roddy Miller, Nuclear Operations Director at Sellafield Ltd, and Francis Livens, Professor of Radiochemistry at The University of Manchester, shared with delegates their visions for the safe deployment of the latest technologies. David Peattie said: “I’m passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration across the NDA group, the wider sector, academia and the supply chain and particularly inspiring young people to engage in the work we are doing and develop innovative solutions. “We are proud to be part of RAICo and committed to exploring how we can utilise technology and innovation to create a safer working environment for our employees, deliver more effectively and efficiently, to leave a more sustainable legacy for generations to come.” Roddy Miller said: “Harnessing the power of robotics and AI is not just about technological advancement; it’s about creating a sustainable and safer environment for future generations. This event highlighted the incredible potential of these technologies and the important role Cumbria plays in this transformative journey.” During a panel session hosted by Professor Rob Buckingham, Executive Director of the UKAEA, in which keynote speakers were asked their views on risk, Ian Chapman highlighted that, while safety of operations was paramount, it was also important to consider the risk of industry and businesses failing to adopt technologies which help them achieve some tasks safer, faster and more cost effectively. He said: “I also consider aggregate risk in conversations like this. The biggest risk for the nuclear sector is that it will cease to exist. Just go back to the Industrial Revolution, or the internet, those (businesses) who decided not to engage, those companies do not exist.” Engaging with supply chain companies was also highlighted as vital for industries to fully embrace robotics and AI. The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) announced the launch of the Cumbria Robotics Cluster at the event. This cluster brings together organisations with a shared vision to elevate Cumbria as a globally recognised centre of excellence in the field of robotics engineering. RAICo is a founding member of the cluster which is set to play a crucial role in developing advanced robotics technologies and skills that address industrial challenges, particularly in the nuclear industry and other challenging environments. Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RAICo, said: “This cluster represents a significant opportunity for synergy and innovation amongst Cumbria’s robotics experts and industries. Through this collaborative effort, we are set to map out and expand the capabilities of robotics in the region, driving forward our joint goals of technological advancement and capacity building.” Kirsty added: “The supply chain is absolutely crucial to RAICo’s success and that broader success across both Sellafield, the wider NDA estate but also the UK Atomic Energy Authority. “They (the supply chain) absolutely possess those unique skill sets, technologies that they have developed over many years which we should be tapping into and harnessing and working collaboratively with them. “It was great to see a number of those large and small companies come to the event and join in the discussions taking place across the room.” Organised by FIS360 on behalf of RAICo and its partners, the event also highlighted the social impact of robotics and AI in Cumbria and beyond. Adopting robotics and AI provides opportunities to upskill workforces, create new higher skilled jobs, and offer exciting careers for young people and graduates. Eleven students aged 16 to 18 from West Lakes Academy and the Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) who took part in a four-week sprint programme set by RAICo and iSH, to develop a small robot that could move a mock nuclear barrel around a track, shared their learnings and experiences at the event. Mr Richard Christensen, Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at RAICo, said: “What has been achieved by these talented students in such a short time is incredibly impressive, and watching them speak so confidently (at the event) about their findings was fantastic. “At RAICo, we want to champion the next generation of innovators within the robotics and AI industry, providing students and young professionals with opportunities to help them get a foot in the door for a rewarding career.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major milestone heralds significant shift towards circular economics in distribution of building materials In a world first for construction – and marking a fundamental shift towards circular economics in the transportation of building materials in the UK – the first batch of reusable green, RFID-tagged* pallets from The Pallet LOOP, part of the BSW Group, have started entering the construction supply chain, en masse. Over the last three weeks, The Pallet LOOP – and its manufacturing partner Scott Pallets – have shipped more than 30,000 LOOP pallets to British Gypsum’s bagged plaster plants at Barrow, East Leake and Kirkby Thore. These pallets are now being processed through British Gypsum’s plants – with the first pallets already starting to arrive at construction projects, building sites, merchant yards and distribution centres nationwide. This major milestone is set to shift the dial on pallet waste across the UK – with The Pallet LOOP providing the world’s first dedicated pallet production, delivery, and collection service for the construction industry. As part of its offer, The Pallet LOOP will pick up green pallets across the UK, inspect and repair them where necessary, and redistribute them to building material manufacturers for the distribution of more products. The roll out of The Pallet LOOP is also designed to support the construction sector’s net zero ambitions. Plus, in a further financial boost for the construction industry, The Pallet LOOP will also be paying registered return partners up to £4 back for every green pallet they put back in the LOOP – a figure that will quickly stack up as more pallets come online. The Pallet LOOP can also pick up so-called ‘white’ pallets, as part of a holistic pallet collection service. As pallets start to roll out, The Pallet LOOP has a clear message for pallet recipients. Paul Lewis, Founder of The Pallet LOOP, said: “If your business hasn’t already signed up for LOOP collections, now is the time to do so. Our distinctive green, reusable pallets are now winging their way across the country, and we want recipients to be ready to send them back to us. Since British Gypsum announced it was going to be the first user of The Pallet LOOP, we’ve had a great reaction from the sector.” “Lots of builders’ merchants, housebuilding companies and principal contractors are already signed up for collections – but we want to spread the word further, so all potential recipients know what to do with LOOP pallets when they arrive at their branches and sites. Over the next twelve months, we’ll be supplying British Gypsum with more than a million of our circular economy pallets for the distribution of its bagged plaster and plasterboard products – so if you receive these products, it is important that you sign up and get in the LOOP as soon as possible.” Registering for collections with The Pallet LOOP is easy. Companies interested in using the service and benefiting from the LOOP pallet PayBack of up to £4 per green pallet, should email: setmeup@thepalletloop.com to kick start the account creation process. Once companies are set up, arranging collections of both green and white pallets is simple, with two service levels available: a standard ten-day or a rapid 72-hour pick up service. Users of The Pallet LOOP will also receive access to a special reporting platform, where they can view and download information about the number of pallets returned and the money saved on collections versus disposal via a skip. The system also provides information about the amount of carbon saved and trees repurposed, which can be used in sustainability reporting. To help customers understand the sign-up process, The Pallet LOOP has created a short onboarding video – that explains how to get in the LOOP in a series of simple steps: The Pallet LOOP has a dedicated recovery infrastructure and a comprehensive network of collection hubs in place – enabled through its partnership with Scott Pallets, which is also part of BSW Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A consortium of mechanical and civil engineering, and robotic automation industry leaders, including Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd (TES), i3D robotics (i3D), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Costain, and VVB Engineering, has developed the first robotic and AI solution set to revolutionise the installation of mechanical and civil services in tunnels. Traditionally, installing these services in tunnels is hazardous, labour-intensive and time-consuming. The prototype Automated Tunnel Robotic Installation System (ATRIS) can autonomously select brackets, locate where they need to be mounted along a tunnel wall, and install them. In doing so, the automated solution can improve on-site health and safety by reducing the risks associated with manual labour at the tunnel work face, for example, working at height in confined spaces, and hand-arm vibration experienced by workers during installation. Once fully-developed, the final system can be deployed in tunnel construction for a variety of sectors including transport, water and energy. It is expected to increase productivity by 40% due to faster installation, reduce installation costs for new mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems by 30%, and cut construction plant movements by 40% to decrease embodied carbon. The 22-month project, partly funded by Innovate UK’s Smart grant, was led by TES, which developed the initial concept in partnership with the consortium. Leveraging its expertise in robotics and automation, MTC spearheaded the design and manufacture of the robot’s end effectors. i3D developed crucial visualisation software for precise navigation, whilst Costain and VVB provided industry knowledge and expertise in tunnelling and fit-out requirements. Alan Worsley, Design and Project Manager at Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd said: “TES has over many years designed and manufactured Mechanised Tunnelling Machines and special purpose equipment for the construction industry. Over this time, innovation has been at the forefront of our business, and the need for automation in traditionally manual M&E fit-out techniques has led us to develop ATRIS and make it commercially viable for the market. We believe the system can offer a safer, more cost-effective and sustainable solution for future infrastructure projects.” Steve Nesbitt, Chief Technologist for the Built Environment at MTC, said: “Like many sectors, construction has faced labour challenges over the past few years which has driven greater interest in using robots, beyond manufacturing and logistics, to address these issues. By contributing our expertise to this project, we are paving the way for construction companies to adopt technology for greater control and structuring of on-site works, making infrastructure delivery safer, more productive, and more sustainable.” Dr Jon Storey, Lead Engineer at i3D, said: “Developing an automated system to install infrastructure in tunnels has been a long-standing ambition for the construction sector. ATRIS has moved us significantly closer to that goal. The use of stereo vision with machine learning and robotics to place bolts precisely on a curved surface is an unprecedented achievement, with potential applications beyond the construction sector, such as nuclear decommissioning and defence.” Lee Bateson, Mechanical and Engineering Manager and Robotics Lead at Costain, said: “Teaching the robots to learn seemingly simple tasks – such as how to avoid cross-threading the screws that go into the sockets – has been hugely fulfilling, thanks to the consortium’s collaborative spirit. Whether it’s carbon reduction, increasing productivity or improving workforce health and safety, this is transformative technology that will have enormous benefits for the customers that we build tunnels for.”Nicholas Beedle, Group Operations Director at VVB Engineering, said:“Tunnel works historically are expensive to build and maintain, and in the higher risk bracket for safety during construction and operation. It is important that ongoing improvements are made to address both of these issues. The development of the robotic AI solution is a step towards solving both of these industry challenges.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Energy Networks Association (ENA) has launched ENA Connect Direct, the single online form creating a better, faster and more accurate process for connecting domestic low-carbon technologies (LCTs) to the electricity network. ENA Connect Direct modernises and simplifies the application process, which can be slow and reliant on manual processes. It helps the UK’s electricity network transition from a traditional one-way system to a smarter, more flexible bidirectional grid. For some installers of domestic low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels, ENA Connect Direct upgrades the application process. It provides a streamlined system which uses artificial intelligence to provide instant approvals for most routine applications. For the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), this means efficient delivery of accurate data. In turn this provides increased visibility to aid network design and operation, a major step forward in creating a smarter UK energy system. Demand for electricity has evolved significantly in the last 60 years. Residential households with low-carbon technologies increase their peak usage to almost 15kW compared to an average usage in the 1960s of less than 1kW. As an example, that’s like going from powering ten 100-watt bulbs to multiple electric vehicles at the same time. Increased demand is a result of the greater uptake of modern electrical appliances and newer technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points. With the uptake of low-carbon technologies anticipated to continue at a considerable rate in the coming years, ENA Connect Direct supports installers in their aim of completing faster and compliant installations. Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation at Energy Networks Association, said: “It’s a great moment to launch ENA Connect Direct, to improve the system currently in place for connecting low-carbon technologies to the grid. We have designed the platform to benefit all those involved with the application process – the installers, manufacturers, distribution network operators and ultimately the customer. “By drawing on industry expertise and working with our members, this platform should massively speed up the application process by using the latest AI led assessment technology. We hope it will allow installers to complete their projects faster, benefiting small and medium-sized businesses in the process. It will also support network operators in having a live overview of LCT installations that they need to operate a smarter and more efficient network in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, was named a winner in the Business Intelligence Group’s (BIG) Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards program. The awards recognise organisations, products and people who bring artificial intelligence to life and apply it to solve problems and realise opportunities. The AI-powered Johnson Controls OpenBlue Worker Safety digital solution was named a winner in the Machine Learning category and the Johnson Controls OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimisation solution was named as a finalist in the Intelligent Control category. Sensormatic Solutions, the global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls, was named a winner in the Computer Vision category for Computer Vision Analytics. “Combining artificial Intelligence and machine learning with our domain expertise and commitment to innovation continues to solve some of our customer’s toughest challenges.” said, Julius Marchwicki, vice president, OpenBlue Platform and Product Management, Johnson Controls. “This recognition highlights our company-wide dedication to digital transformation through innovating, developing and leveraging new digital technologies.” The BIG Artificial Excellence Awards recognise the trailblazing organisations and solutions leading the way in AI innovation and generating positive change. BIG’s unique judging and scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers. “We are truly honoured to recognise Johnson Controls and Sensormatic Solutions with these prestigious awards,” stated Maria Jimenez, Chief Nominations Officer for the Business Intelligence Group. “The unwavering commitment of their team to excellence and their innovative AI applications have catapulted them to this remarkable achievement. Congratulations to the entire organisation!” Through leadership in digital technology and innovation Johnson Controls customers are equipped with advanced technologies to create a smarter and safer future. The Johnson Controls OpenBlue Worker Safety solution is an AI-enabled computer vision-based machine learning model that monitors construction sites in the oil and gas industry. It helps minimize hazards and ensure safety compliance by using a real-time camera feed and detection of possible workplace safety violations. The solution is trained to identify workers and features related to the physical safety of each worker, including personal protective equipment, proximity to heavy machinery, vehicular traffic, and more. When violations occur, an alert is issued and the image is displayed on a dashboard for review. The solution runs on an Edge computing device powered by the Johnson Controls OpenBlue Bridge software platform. The Johnson Controls OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimisation solution, which was named a finalist, uses predictive learning to optimise plant operations, helping customers reduce energy and emissions without sacrificing reliability. OpenBlue Central Utility Plant Optimisation is a software-as-a-service solution that continuously monitors thousands of input variables and applies sophisticated algorithms in near-real time, generating dispatches and control decisions to ensure that all central systems are constantly optimised and efficiently meeting heating, cooling and power needs resulting in savings in utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The flexible solution helps customers autonomously optimise for energy and/or carbon savings and can be applied at plants with wide variety of configurations, HVAC equipment, or plant automation system. It automatically generates and implements optimisation decisions, controlling real-time closed-loop dispatch of equipment and setpoint commands to the plant automation system or, alternatively, it can simply provide recommendations to operators. Sensormatic Solutions was named a winner for its Computer Vision Analytics (CVA). Since its launch in 2021, Sensormatic Solutions CVA has provided retailers with groundbreaking insight into their retail operations, and can be used to address a wide range of real-world challenges, including customer engagement, stocking, labour allocation, loss prevention, shopper satisfaction and more. Earlier this year, the brand also released its Store Guest Behaviors powered by CVA, an AI solution that leverages an adaptive learning model to help retailers understand shopper journeys. To learn more about how Johnson Controls OpenBlue is transforming smart buildings, please visit: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/OpenBlue. To learn more about Sensormatic Solutions, visit: https://www.sensormatic.com/computer-vision Johnson Controls has received patents covering CVA and OpenBlue CUP solutions from a number of patent offices around the world. Patents are also pending for the Johnson Controls OpenBlue Worker Safety solution. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 4,000 industry leaders, tech experts and policymakers will convene at Manchester Central this July for Siemens’ Transform 2024 to explore digital and sustainable transformation, including the contribution that fire protection systems and BMS (Building Management Systems) can make in this regard. The free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition, which will take place on July 17th and 18th, will support industry in tackling its most urgent challenges and provide a platform for delegates from a wide range of sectors to collaborate on potential solutions and share knowledge. The 2024 event follows the business’s inaugural Transform 2022 event at the same venue, which heard from leaders including world-renowned economist Lord Jim O’Neill, F1’s Red Bull Racing, engineering group Arup and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Speakers for this year’s event will be revealed in the coming months. Participants will get free consultation from Siemens’ experts to help address their transformation challenges, including how to fund new projects. Live hackathons will also solve real-world industry challenges in real-time. Carl Ennis, CEO at Siemens GB & Ireland, said: “Transform 2024 will host the community that is solving today’s most pressing challenges. Combining the real and digital worlds in new ways is at the heart of so many of the strategies that are making this possible. “Our aim is for delegates to leave with greater clarity and confidence to move forward with digital and sustainability transformation, and to help them discover tangible solutions for making their organisation more competitive, resilient, and sustainable. “As we know from Transform 2022, events like this create an environment that provides the means for industry to convene and collaborate – helping them to deploy groundbreaking technologies to strike at new opportunities. And it acts as a crucial forum to debate broader issues, from how we grow the UK’s STEM talent pool to how we can effectively champion UK industry on the global stage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
