First 4.0 labs: 360° connection between companies and researchers
Over the past 30 years we have seen technological innovation explode in almost every part of society, and scientific laboratories are no exception. The constraints and challenges that have marked the pandemic over the past few months have made doing their work more difficult for technical and research teams.
This has accelerated research collaboration to adapt to a digital model, operating remotely, and laying the groundwork for virtual laboratories or iLabs. This opens up a paradigm that will allow access to real equipment remotely.
Facilitating the evolution of traditional laboratories towards connected laboratories, we have developed a pioneering project that transforms the way of interacting in the sector and in the generation of a differential value proposition, thanks to the first Laboratories 4.0 based on our Smart Concepts solution.
TECNALIA is a leading Research and Technological Development Center in Europe, whose mission is to transform technology into GDP to improve people’s quality of life and create business opportunities for companies.
Tecnalia offers testing and certification services for materials and products to clients, both in the national and international market, so it needed a platform that would allow remote management of projects, as well as online access to the center’s technological infrastructures and the possibility of interacting remotely with clients.
We started with the myTecnalia communication platform, but we had to go a step further in the digitalization of the user experience, where direct communication with the technical staff would be enhanced, as well as the efficient management of jobs and secure access to information.
The process
We have used our IoT and artificial intelligence solution, Smart Concepts, based on Azure technologies to break down the barriers between labs and customers.
The fire testing laboratory provides 360° coverage with customers, and makes companies feel that the laboratories and experts are located within their own facilities.
360º connection of laboratories using pioneering technology.
By being fully connected via multi-stream (with video and thermal imaging cameras) and with all sensor data instantly accessible, we were able to get the labs and specialists connected to the customer remotely.
This also provides valuable information for further research processes. All this benefits the value chain of organizations, as it facilitates the acceleration of business processes and product development
IoT and AI solution development using Smart Concepts.
“Thanks to Plain Concepts’ IoT and AI Smart Concepts solution, we have been able to improve our value proposition to our customers. Framed in our Fire Digital Labs project, it has allowed us to carry out the digitization of our laboratories, giving a 180-degree turn in the service offered to our customers related to product testing and certification, obtaining more information from them and accelerating innovation processes in companies.”
Jose Luis Elejalde Hernani, LabServices Director at TECNALIA
Results
- Facilitates analysis of historical data and comparisons between trials.
- Remote connectivity facilitates access from around the world to bring stakeholders closer together.
- Real-time and IoT sensor connectivity displays data instantly, and can be leveraged through cognitive services and AI.
We are ready for new challenges.
