Future infrastructure will start to intelligently think for itself

‘Expo 2020 in Dubai is a blueprint for smart cities in the future and focuses on sustainability,' says Oliver Kraft

On the occasion of Expo 2020, the first international innovation exhibition in the Middle East, scheduled to launch in Dubai next October, Daily News Egypt interviewed Oliver Kraft, Executive Director of Project & Account Management, Expo 2020 Dubai for Siemens.
He emphasised that innovative architecture and technology were not closely related as they would be at Expo 2020 Dubai. More than 130 buildings will be connected to the site via Internet of Things (IoT) technology, making Expo 2020 a blueprint for smart cities in the future.
"Expo 2020 will be divided into three thematic areas, each of which includes a thematic pavilion with unique architecture inspired by its location: Opportunities, Mobility, and Sustainability. For example, the sustainability pavilion demonstrates the magnificent umbrella covered with solar panels and the ability to produce water from the surrounding air and the ability to provide energy from renewable sources and use natural resources in a sustainable manner,” Kraft said.
Internet of Things
Kraft said the entire Expo site is linked digitally by Siemens, the official partner for digitising infrastructure at Expo 2020, from air conditioning and elevators to access control.
More than 130 buildings will be connected to the site (4.3 square kilometres) via MindSphere, an open cloud IoT operating system developed by Siemens, 200,000 data points connected to Desigo CC system, and about 15,000 cameras powered by Siveillance Vantage monitoring system. In addition, 3500 gates will also be connected through SiPass access system as well as Siemens Navigator platform for energy usage analysis based on IoT.
The core of digital infrastructure is Mindsphere. Data is collected from sensors, gates, systems, and building management applications, as well as from Siemens's cloud-based power and asset management platform.
The Siemens system helps Dubai Expo 2020 achieve the goal of optimum balance between energy efficiency, safety, security, and comfort for visitors.
Different cities and big challenges
“Our digital solutions in Dubai will show how smart infrastructure can contribute to more liveable and more sustainable cities all over the world. Ultimately, our work is not only limited to innovative technology, but is about creating value for society and making our cities better places for living,” he said.
The partnership between Siemens and Expo 2020 Dubai is a prime example of how this can be achieved. The first step is to create the technical basis for centrally collecting data, and the second is to work together to understand how the rich data set can best be used to guide the development of relevant solutions, and in this process, build a strategic knowledge base for the city.