Abstract
This is the fourth article of the #ReincarnaTECH Series that aims to report the Launch version of the Circular Potential Information Platform (CP-IM) which operates as an essential segment of the Reincarnate project. While CP-IM will be created as dynamic integration of several distinct components, the launch version consists of the integration of its two core components, the DMO RE Suite real estate information management platform and the Mainflux open-source IoT Platform.
The launch version of the Reincarnate CP-IM platform
In the launch version of the CP-IM RE Suite and Mainflux come together for the first time. Both components have distinct roles in the platform. Users interact with the Mainflux platform for ‘thing’ and ‘channel’ management, managing their population of sensors and actuators. Users interact with the RE Suite for a variety of workflows, among which are portfolio management, condition assessment and circular potential analysis.
Architecture
IoT devices interact with the Mainflux platform directly as ‘things’ communicating via ‘Channels’. The Mainflux platform is responsible for hosting sensor data in its isolated database. RE Suite communicates with the Mainflux platform through its REST API. RE Suite hosts real estate object information in its own isolated database. RE Suite can communicate with external systems such as external data stores.
Figure 1: CP-IM architecture
What’s next?
The launch version of the CP-IM platform is a major milestone. It integrates existing software components in the form of Mainflux and RE Suite into an information management platform. Beyond the launch version, however, the domain of circular potential can and should be further explored.
Firstly, where both Mainflux and RE Suite have internal data management structures based on relevant standards, no use is made of any common ontology. Such an ontology aimed at the circularity potential domain is being developed within Reincarnate work package 1. The CP-IM can and should evolve to connect and make use of such an ontology.
Secondly, where the architecture is prepared for connections with external systems, these can and should be developed further. Candidates include, but are not limited to:
- Madaster and other material and product data sources
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) systems
- Cost information data sources
- BIM-servers
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Thirdly, approaching consortium partners as representatives of end users in the application domain should lead to functional requirements elicitation. With the CP-IM publicly available for use within the Reincarnate project, an inventory of improvements and new wishes can lead to strong improvements in the CP-IM and realistic exploitable results.
Do you want to watch the video demostration of the launch version of our CP-IM platform?
Register below to be the first one receiving the video directly to your mailbox:
I want to watch the video demo!
Background note
Reincarnate aims at advancing circular economy practices within the European construction industry and enabling to significantly maximise the life cycle of buildings, construction products and materials, reduce CDW by 80%, increase the reusability of buildings, construction products and materials and, as a result, lower the sector’s emissions by 70%. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101056773.
Disclaimer
This document reflects only the view of the author(s) and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained.