Healthcare and wellness

In-body sensing

Imagine a future with In-body Sensing. Battery-free wireless intelligent sensor modules implanted in the body will enable continuous health monitoring in the future. Tiny sensor-devices gather physiological information and communicate this to the outside world if deviations in physiological properties are detected.

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  1. Collin, 61 years old, visits his doctor for the latest health sensor which is the size of a rice grain.
  2. The miniaturized device for monitoring heart rate and body core temperature is inserted in his breast using a special needle.
  3. He is a fanatic sportsman, he goes running every day.
  4. The sensor is connected to a tiny transponder and a processing unit which sends the relevant data of his heart rate and core temperature to his wrist device. His training schedule automatically adjusts to his physical performance.
  5. Two years later, the sensor registers abnormal patterns in the heart rate, and via an internet connection it makes the diagnosis while he is calling his wife.
  6. A visit to his doctor is scheduled automatically because of the serious heart disorder. The doctor refers him to hospital for a life saving operation.

Sport and lifestyle

Instant drug detector

Imagine a future with In-body Sensing. Battery-free wireless intelligent sensor modules implanted in the body will enable continuous health monitoring in the future. Tiny sensor-devices gather physiological information and communicate this to the outside world if deviations in physiological properties are detected.

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  1. Summer 2014, the Tour de France has started. Just before the start of one of the stages an official approaches the cyclists.
  2. A cyclist has to put a drug tester in his mouth in order to collect a saliva sample.
  3. The official checks the identity of the cyclist in order to verify that he is taking the sample of the right person.
  4. The small device that is put in the mouth collects some saliva and conducts a drug test for the most popular stimulants. In a minute the result is shown.
  5. The device turns red, which means that the cyclist has used forbidden stimulants.
  6. The cyclist is disqualified from the stage. The saliva sample is sent to the lab for an extra test in order to obtain 100% certainty about the result of the test.

Automotive

Drive by wireless

Imagine a future with Drive-by-Wireless. Imagine: no more mechanical transmission of controls or complex wiring systems, but simple and sound wireless connections between controls, sensors and actuators for a true drive-by-wireless vehicle control.

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  1. James steps into his new car.
  2. The car system recognizes him and automatically adjusts seats, safety belts, mirrors, navigation pre-sets, telephone and audio configuration for optimized drive comfort.
  3. The car is equipped with a large number of sensors and actuators which wirelessly connect to each other; the nodes get their energy from the environment and car movements.
  4. The wireless drive console is the central control unit of the car; it controls wheels, engine, brakes, lights etc.
  5. James turns the wireless steering console, controls the wheels and the car follows the movement of the console.
  6. Remote monitoring of the car by the garage ensures optimal predictive maintenance.

Home and industrial construction

Advanced Corrosion Monitoring

Imagine a future with Advanced Corrosion Monitoring. Early detection of corrosion is an effective way of reducing operational and maintenance costs. Advanced sensor systems provide cost-effective inspection control and monitoring of large complex corrosion sensitive objects. The sensors are embedded, simply and at low cost and are able to detect corrosion at an early stage.

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  1. An oil pipeline is fitted with a corrosion monitoring system to detect degradation of the coating of the pipeline.
  2. Very small cracks in the coating of the pipeline are a precursor to corrosion. Erosion of the coating is detected by one of the sensors distributed across the whole length of the pipeline.
  3. The autonomous sensor forwards a signal to neighboring sensor nodes.
  4. The signal is forwarded by sensor nodes to a central unit that communicates the signal to a satellite.
  5. The satellite forwards the signal to an operating station where the signal is turned into a message indicating the location and the problem. The message is forwarded to the responsible maintenance unit.
  6. The maintenance unit locates the problem and replaces the pipe with the damaged coating.

Industrial process monitoring and control

Advanced industrial monitoring

Monitoring equipment and processes in manufacturing plants is crucial for optimising and controlling production to achieve maximum throughput at the required quality levels. Smart wireless autonomous sensor nodes operate in a network using energy from the environment to optimise machine control. Wireless sensing enables remote monitoring at machine, process and plant level. Industrial automation will make predictive maintenance possible, allowing for proper intervention before real problems occur.

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  1. A very large manufacturing plant for automated production of cars.
  2. All machinery is equipped with wireless sensors that monitor different parameters and overall performance.
  3. The sensors are linked to very small RF transducer modules about the size of a dice, making wireless data transfer possible.
  4. One of the sensors observes that one of the pivot points of a welding robot is wearing out.
  5. A status report is sent automatically to the service company using the network of wireless sensors.
  6. The welding robot is repaired before any real problem has ocurred.

Environmental and agricultural monitoring

Distributed environmental sensing

There is a demand for the comprehensive, inexpensive and reliable monitoring and control of physical environments. Miniaturised autonomous wireless sensors are the future solution for observing, assessing and controlling agricultural practice and the environment. Distributed sensing can be used to monitor surface, soil and water contamination, ecosystem and habitat research as well as quality control.

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  1. A large greenhouse in the Netherlands, in 2012.
  2. Autonomous wireless sensor units are placed all over the greenhouse; underground, at ground level and under the roof panels.
  3. The sensors scavenge energy from the environment and share and broadcast relevant information up to 20 meters.
  4. Different kinds of sensors create a large sensor network with distributed intelligence.
  5. The web of sensors links to the greenhouse’s system for controlling light intensity, watering, drainage and pesticides.
  6. The control process needed for the growth is performed automatically. The farmer receives a message when a deviation from the norm has been observed by the system.

Mobile gaming

Go interactive gaming ball

The 'GO' interactive gaming ball adds a new dimension of playing fun to traditional video gaming. New technologies will enable the development of radically innovative gaming and entertainment concepts in the years to come. 'GO' is a flexible knead ball displaying a video game on the outside. 'GO' can actively change shape as well as react to pressure from users’ hands. 'GO' has an extremely physical interaction with the user and with 'GO' balls of other users.

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  1. Jimmy and Phil meet each other at the school yard.
  2. They are each playing with a special ball called 'GO'.
  3. The balls make contact, an electronic handshake is performed and the game starts.
  4. 'GO' is a ball with a soft and flexible video touch screen all round.
  5. The games influence each other and the ball changes shape according to the actions of the opponent; touching one ball influences the behavior of the other ball.
  6. Inside of the ball are a large number of wireless connections between sensors and actuators; the system senses the player’s touch and gives feedback by changing its shape.

Transport, logistics and asset management

Intelligent shop shelves

Increasingly, retail stores have to comply with strict food laws and supply detailed data regarding type, origin, composition and freshness of products. Shelves are also an ideal location for showing commercial information, which can enhance sales. An intelligent, wirelessly addressable shelf display system can be a dynamic means of providing the individual consumer with additional information and facilitate inventory control.

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  1. Lena is in the supermarket to buy her weekly purchases.
  2. Before she passes the shelves, it displays normal price and product information.
  3. The shelves recognise Lena by her shopping card in her purse. Lena’s attention is drawn to a changing display text.
  4. The display shows her customised offers. She picks out a product and continues shopping.
  5. When one of the shop employees passes a certain shelf a message is displayed that refill is required because of the need to remove some products because they have passed their perishable date.
  6. When one of the shop employees passes a certain shelf a message is displayed that refill is required because of the need to remove some products because they have passed their perishable date.

Future Vision Sketches

Towards a better way of living

Our generic technologies can be applied in any application domain requiring flexible or ultra-low-power electronics. Based upon the societal trends that surround us, we define Technology Integration Programs to focus our research on. The sketches below provide a frame of reference for the numerous possibilities that – with your help – could become one of our emerging programs.

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