Dr. Daniel Schultheiß, city of Ilmenau

“Ilmenau is a modern, innovative and liveable medium-sized centre with special dynamics. With the only technical university in the Land of Thüringen, the Goethe and university city is home to science and research and is highly attractive to younger people and families as well as innovative, technology-orientated companies and research institutes. With this in mind, the city decided several years ago to embark on the path to becoming a smart city. Only recently, these endeavours culminated in the smart city mission statement ‘Ilmenau – smart city powered by its own resources’.
The smart city projects, which were implemented in the urban real-world laboratory together with the Institute of Microelectronics and Mechatronics Systems, are also part of these activities. After an initial needs analysis, three applications for the use of intelligent sensor systems were finally identified that simplify real municipal tasks.

One project uses sensors to monitor the function of the streetlights in the Jesuborn district of Ilmenau. This means that the lighting network can be permanently checked for functionality without the need for inspection trips and defects can be fixed promptly. The solution developed in the project consists of energy self-sufficient sensor nodes that can be retrofitted to any lighting columns.

A second project measures the air quality in three touristic districts by recording particulate matter in four granule sizes using an optical sensor. The IMMS team developed a system that uses inexpensive sensor technology to continuously monitor particulate matter at various locations in each district to detect the causes of variations in particulate matter pollution and, if necessary, take countermeasures at an early stage. The processed measurement data is made available to the tourism administration in real time graphically and online.

The third project focusses on noise emissions. Our local authority is regularly confronted with compliance with the statutory limits and requirements. Traditionally, noise pollution is recorded on site in random samples using qualified measurement technology in accordance with the relevant legal standards. However, conventional measurement technology is expensive, requires specialised personnel and is only intended for selective monitoring. In contrast, systems such as those developed by IMMS in the preliminary ‘StadtLärm’ project can provide conclusions from continuous, area-wide monitoring. The noise monitoring system permanently records noise data over a large area using distributed sensors and is intended to provide the municipal authorities with the level and type of noise events. The information is helpful for future urban planning and traffic decisions as well as safety-related considerations and measures.

Throughout the entire duration of the project, I have always perceived IMMS as a competent, innovative and solution-orientated partner that dealt very flexibly and pragmatically with the multiple challenges of using modern measurement technology in a topographically and climatically demanding environment. As the city administration, we also value the personal collaboration with the institute’s employees, who always find solutions through pleasant dialogue. Ultimately, these three practical examples illustrate the successful transfer of scientific endeavour to everyday use. This is why the sensors deployed will remain in use beyond the end of the project period and thus offer added value not only for the municipal administration, but also for the citizens of Ilmenau.

On behalf of the city administration of Ilmenau, I would like to thank the Institute of Microelectronics and Mechatronics Systems for the pleasant cooperation and look forward to many more joint projects. Thank you very much!”