Project Leader: Dr. Hab. Eng. Tomasz Tarczewski, Prof. UMK
Advanced digital technologies (ADTs) enable improvements in human living conditions in areas related to healthcare, daily life, and work. The project aims to develop efficient control systems and advanced software to ensure secure communication, data acquisition, and analysis. These solutions will be implemented in innovative digital devices used in smart cities (SC) and healthcare solutions (HC). Artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic will also be employed for control and data analysis. To ensure energy-efficient and safe power sources, high-performance power supply systems will be developed.
One of the challenges of modern urban areas is light pollution (LP). Monitoring this phenomenon is an important research issue because LP negatively affects human health and contributes to electricity waste. To enable measurements over large urban areas, a remotely controlled prototype of an autonomous light-measuring device has been developed and patented. The proposed solution will include a system for data acquisition and analysis from sensors, allowing for improved efficiency of urban lighting on a large scale. The system will visualize collected data in real time and allow geostatistical analysis. Plans include expanding the system with multispectral sensors to analyze illumination levels and spectral composition. The device will also be optimized for reduced energy consumption and long-term autonomous operation. A patent application for an improved version of the device is planned.
In the smart cities of the future, many tasks related to goods transportation will be performed by zero-emission autonomous mobile robots. Therefore, the project also aims to develop advanced path-planning algorithms for mobile robots that take energy consumption into account and optimize travel time. The optimization process will also consider cooperation between mobile robots. Based on the experience gained, collaboration with an industrial partner in this field is planned.
Advanced digital technologies are a key component in modern healthcare solutions. An example is an advanced respirator whose control parameters adapt to the patient’s condition. Achieving such functionality requires equipping the device with sensors, physiological signal analysis modules, and control systems based on medical knowledge and predictive algorithms. These solutions aim to detect patient-ventilator asynchrony early and provide personalized therapy. During the design of these devices, particular emphasis will be placed on mobility and energy efficiency. Another area to be developed within the project is improving the accuracy of in vivo whole-body imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This research is crucial for early disease detection. Since OCT requires precise positioning, the project also aims to develop electromechanical actuators with advanced control systems.
The research team proposed for the project will consist of engineers experienced in electronics and power electronics, advanced control using artificial intelligence, data acquisition, and programming. The project plans to intensify or establish collaboration with teams from the Department of Geoinformation and Environmental Remote Sensing, the Department of Applied Computer Science, the Department of Biophysics, the Collegium Medicum, and the company Sohbi Craft Poland.