Use Case #1 provides a set of interoperable modules (mainly Python-based) that support the proposed post-disaster management solution. Each component of UC#1 relies on these modules, which are built or extend VOStack. These modules represent innovative developments or use of VOStack.

All modules developed under this use-case have been documented and disseminated through academic publications (conferences, and journals). They have been released as open-source components, ensuring accessibility and reusability.

These modules are designed to be easily adopted by any users, including citizens, local or global authorities and safety / emergency response organisations. We also except this UC#1 to promote community-driven development and innovation in post-disaster recovery.

Exploitation pathway

From a generic point of view, NEPHELE UC#1 project’s perspectives:

  • provide new theoretical and practical methodologies;
  • stimulate new research directions;
  • offer public open-source Python examples to be used in future research and industrial projects;
  • support and inform the development of open standards from trusted organisations like W3C, IETF, etc.

In more specific and practical terms, Inria is now participating on a new European project, UniMaaS, in which a substantial part of the code produced during NEPHELE UC#1 will serve as foundations. This code will even gain more value through its use and extension within UniMaas ; regarding IoT and WSN network management and monitoring, also by using and improving VOStack. ZHAW has also started a new project, SHIELD, which aims to improve the safety and success rate of long-term tasks performed by autonomous robots using GenAI “robotic brains” (e.g., LLMs, VLMs) in unstructured environments.

Ultimately, our ambition is also to build research and industrial partnerships with the Port of Koper, where the demonstration successfully happened, as well as with other commercial ports in UE.

How does this move beyond state of the art

VOStack is used in a post-disaster domain where robotic hardware is used to map and navigate an unknown area, whereas a wireless sensor network (WSN) is used for collecting vital sensing information. The novelty of the implemented solution is based on the VO implementation for the involved IoT devices which are heterogeneous both in the hardware and the software and in the communication protocols they use. Based on the VOStack, these heterogeneous devices can now cooperatively enhance the situational awareness of first responders. Data is collaboratively exposed and end-users can interact through user-friendly web-based solutions with technologically advanced hardware and software components like a robot and sensor nodes.

KER readiness time plan and the roadmap

End of project

License
MIT License
Partners
Inria
zhaw
Potential adopters

citizens, academic research laboratory, private R&D department, public local or global safety authorities, private safety / emergency response organisations

Relation to Nephele
D6.1 Use Cases Framework Definition and Initial Use Cases Execution Management and Evaluation
D6.2 Final Use Cases Execution Management and Evaluation
TRL expected
6
Type of Ker
Software
algorithm
scientific article
What problem it addresses

In a post-disaster scenario, multiple first responder teams approach the area with several high-tech devices. Each of these teams will have proprietary hardware (e.g., drones, ground robots, sensing devices, computing facilities) and software for a wide spectrum of heterogeneous devices. These devices offer not only resources for computation and sensing but also produce information that can enhance the overall situational awareness. The main challenge however is, that a “silos-based” approach in developing hardware and software solutions makes it very difficult to allow hardware/software and data sharing.