Sustainable Innovation on Digitized Construction and Mining Sites

Building up sustainable construction

The construction/mining sector has a heavy responsibility for global emissions worldwide. Reducing emissions in this sector is crucial if we want to reach the 1.5° goal.

Efficiency and sustainability of processes and machines on the construction/mining site are an important building block.

Digitization is the key enabler!

The construction/mining site of the future must be sufficiently digitized; workers, machines & processes are smartly connected, unrestricted mobility & flexibility with simultaneous connectivity are ensured, all services are always accessible, real-time data can be accessed everywhere - everything is possible to make construction sites and their infrastructures as well as the processes supporting them more efficient & sustainable. The basis for this is a very good, stable, reliable & independent network connection - and this is exactly where the problem is!

To be able to offer digital functions to site managers & machine operators, the construction/mining site and especially mobile and stationary working machines usually need a connection to cloud services and real time connection to other machines - at best accessible via the 2G/4G or 5G mobile network.

Mega-large construction/mining sites are often set up in areas that have no or very inadequate coverage with mobile technology. As a result, necessary services often cannot be provided.

But, once this problem is solved and the basic requirement is met, there are a number of target-enhancing approaches: For example, the use of IoT sensors can provide fleet owners and site managers with the ability to collect real-time data and accurately manage each piece of equipment. Automation and cooperation between machines will strengthen the reduction of emission.

Challenge

Having recognized this, Liebherr wants to innovate the current processes and practices with you to establish reliable connections between machines and hosted (cloud) services at the construction/mining site.

And this leads us to the Key Question of this Challenge:

Which solution(s) allow a stable connection to cloud services and communication between machines without local cellular network connectivity using pre-existing devices? What does this solution look like?

To answer the key question, it is important to keep the following in mind:

Additional equipment should be avoided. The machines have the same communication technologies available to a cell phone.

The connection can be built either via standardized IP mechanisms or via additional software packaging - routing services using the on-board resources available to the machines.

More inspiring and guiding content can be found in the tabs "Important details" and "Submission".

Let’s build up more efficient and sustainable construction/mining together!

Who can participate?

The Challenge is calling students, researchers, professionals, startups to accelerate and enable the transition towards a more efficient construction industry by overcoming current obstacles regarding connectivity and cellular connection technology.

Innovate2030 – SDG9

This Challenge is part of the Innovate2030-SDG9 Innovation Program. The program is jointly initialized by ekipa and its partners from business, politics and society to drive a more digital and sustainable future.

Questions or looking for support?

If you want to talk to someone from our team about your approaches, you need more information or questions arise, you are welcome to attend the weekly Q&A call with one of our project managers or write to us anytime via the chat on this platform to your right.

Time of the Q&A Call: Every Thursday from 04:00pm - 04:30pm (CET)