Wireless Sensor networks / Ubiquitous Computing
Spiderbox research program has developed the capability to create a tailored WSN solution for commercial application. For this purpose, customized motes (small computing devices) have been developed and a testbed has been created to prove the network operation.
The testbed consists of a network of 30 motes inside a building - 1000m2 X 3 levels and performing the following:
- Sensors in the motes are measuring whether personnel are present and whether doors are open or closed. This is being used for security and personnel tracking with reporting back to a central BaseStation
- Each mote also has an LED display which is used to communicate the receive messages for that particular mote - This can then be used to advise staff of emergency or provide instructions.
- The BaseStation receives data from the motes which is logged in a database that can then be used for manipulation and made useful with a user friendly, front end application.
Now that Spiderbox have suitably proved the concept, we are seeking interested business parties to review the research outcome from an industry perspective and collaborate in a commercialization venture that creates genuine business ROI. There is an extremely broad scope of application for this technology (see Links at bottom of page for other examples) for example, some of the data that can be measured, reported and manipulated from the manufacturing industry are listed below...
Example Applications in a manufacturing environment
Machine Health Monitoring for optimal maintenance and fail prevention:
- Vibration measurement
- Strain measurement
- Infrared thermography,
- Oil analysis and tribology
- Chemical concentrations
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Ultrasonics
- Motor current analysis to determine equipment condition
Identified Challenges
The next stage of the research requires in situ application to overcome identified challenges in a commercial role. Specifically the research and development will focus on:
- Energy Management and running devices without direct power supply
- Enclosure Design - Ensuring longevity and functionality.
- Frontend application development - Integration into current IT systems for maximum advantage.
Government Incentives
The Queensland Government's Business and Industry Transformation Incentives are also available for businesses to undertake projects that will promote transformation in priority industries. This commercialization opportunity has already been identified as a transformational project that is innovative and increases productivity suitable for inclusion.
This is the incentives link - http://www.industry.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v4/apps/web/content.cfm?id=4978
| BUSINESS BENEFIT |
HOW DOES THAT RELATE TO YOUR BUSINESS |
| Cost Savings |
Deployment - Considerable cost saving compared to a comparable wired solution. Expensive physical wiring is no longer required.
Product Purchase - Market research has proven the available foreign based solutions are very expensive in comparison to the exciting opportunity that Spiderbox presents for the customer to create their own tailored solution with the assistance of a local specialist.
Operating Costs - Integration of vital data allows operational management at optimum levels to immediately impact on production variables.
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| Efficient Monitoring |
Since the technology allows the units to communicate with each other intelligently, even previously difficult locations can be monitored.
As a result of the large numbers of nodes the WSN can generate data at much finer levels of spatial and temporal detail than most conventional data capture systems.
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| Productivity Increase |
Data from the physical world, including temperature, vibration, humidity, noise frequency, and energy consumption, can be married to the world of industrial systems and IT. This allows the customer total control through existing systems for all variables in the business process with timely and accurate data.
Results already seen in competitor products internationally have sited productivity improvements from 30 - 90% depending on variables assessed.
Prediction of equipment failure improves maintenance functions and planning.
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| Flexibility |
Sensor deployment is tailored around effectiveness and not logistics of wiring as in the past. The entire solution can be tailored to the customer specifications from the type of sensor to the unit's enclosure and dashboard management tool. |
| Local Technology with Broader Potential |
Privately owned Australian company, based in Brisbane providing local support means issues can be resolved quickly and inexpensively compared with the process of dealing with an overseas supplier.
Successful outcomes can be deployed to other manufacturing locations within the broader company portfolio.
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HISTORY CURRENT PROJECTS COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES