DCU Water Institute and computing giant IBM have teamed up on a pilot research project to look into ways to protect and conserve natural resources.
The project will use DCU’s sensors and IBM’s machine learning and ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) technologies to tackle global issues, such as water quality. IoT is the concept of connecting any device with an on and off switch to the internet, such as lamps or headphones, by embedding them with computing devices.
The sensors being used can measure physical, chemical and biological changes to better understand the environment, at a significantly lower cost than current commercial technologies.
These two technologies combined, along with advanced analytics, will be able to detect environmental changes which may eventually provide help with water management on a global scale.
IBM’s cognitive technologies have the ability to provide ‘deep learning capabilities’ for the sensors being used, ensuring all the data collected is reliable under the variety of environmental conditions being examined.
The project will be first piloted in Ireland and United States. The first of the sensors will be deployed on Lake George, New York State, in partnership with the ongoing Jefferson Project, which uses technology and science to preserve and protect the lake.
Harry Kolar, an engineer from IBM Research, commented on the project saying he believes IoT technologies “will play an important role in helping protect the environment and natural resources,” and also that IBM Research “are excited to leverage IBM’s expertise in cognitive and IoT environmental monitoring and management with the DCU Water Institute to help advance the future of water management.”
Professor Fiona Regan, the director of the DCU Water Institute said: “The technologies developed during this important collaboration will aim to disrupt the current norms of costly sensors limiting their distribution at IoT scale to provide really valuable information which supports better decision-making about our valuable water resource.”
As part of the programme, IBM has joined the DCU Water Institute Industry Advisory Council which will work to tackle future environmental challenges together.
Ciara Moran
Image Credit: DCU