Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ZIMASS (Smart Mobile awarenes and safety system for workzone invasion)

Teaser

Current technologies applied to road & railway maintenance safety management do not provide adequate warning due to technological limitations that reduce safety system reliability, such as: inaccurate alarms, reduced signal transmission distance, high investment...

Summary

Current technologies applied to road & railway maintenance safety management do not provide adequate warning due to technological limitations that reduce safety system reliability, such as: inaccurate alarms, reduced signal transmission distance, high investment (~2.000€/sensor), or do not meet portability & flexibility needs. This causes that 75% of all road maintenance worker deaths are caused by runovers. To overcome those limitations, Secmotic, Spanish SME, expert in innovative IoT (Internet of Things) solutions for the digital transformations of cities and industry and, has developed ZIMASS, a smart, 100% portable (900 gr weight) and reliable awareness & safety system for work zone invasion. ZIMASS is based on computer vision and artificial intelligence, to create a virtual security zone, recognize risky situations, and alert workers by connected wearable devices. ZIMASS offers a competitive new solution (3.750 €/system – 10 detection nodes + 5 wearables-) with low exploitation costs (€0,015/ day), with high reliability (99% video detection, response time <1s), and with a payback period ≤ 2 months (equivalent to prevent a sick leave period). ZIMASS, unmatchable reliability (response time < 1s), increases work safety and work quality, as it reduces sick leaves with its associated financial saving, therefore increasing work productivity. Our smart plug & play solution is customized & adaptable to every application and support.
Through Phase 2, we aim to: 1) to improve hardware design & engineering, 2) to improve software and development of a cloud management platform, 3) to manufacture ZIMASS pilots and verify its performance, 3) Final validation and certification of ZIMASS for 3 use cases: 1/Roads maintenance, 2/ Railways maintenance 3/ Roads and Railways maintenance in low-light conditions. We will count with key technical & commercial partners (as S2E), and key end users support as final validators (Ferrovial Servicios, Ferrovial Agroman, Cintra, and Calle 30).
ZIMASS successful launch will be by 2022, boosting our revenues and gross profits to respectively €13,4 M and €3,9 M by the 5th year. Our profitable ROI will be 66% by the 4th year, which will be boosted to 264% thanks to our commercial expansion to USA, Canada and Australia. After 5 years, we will sell 3.913 ZIMASS systems, and we will create 15 new job opportunities.

Work performed

The main objective of this FS was to ensure that ZIMASS meets the technical, commercial & financial requirements for its successful implementation and commercialization. Main results:
1) We have detailed all technical requirements & specifications (materials, components, subsystems) for the 3 main elements of ZIMASS: detection node (digital video camera, Video Processing Unit (VPU), rechargeable battery and IP65 Protection Box), wearable device and tablet (for monitoring and downloading alerts reports).
2) Study of available wearable devices on the market that could be connected via BLE with ZIMASS: we selected 3 SMEs, Misfit Cloud API, Fitbit and Mbientlab, who offer APIs and a set of wearables adaptable to ZIMASS.
3) Analysis of the operational conditions required to optimize the functionality of the system, includes: detection nodes deployment, wearables and tablet operation instructions.
4) Develop a technical development strategy to reach TRL8
5) Technical & commercial risks analysis to define a contingency plan.
6) Key partners: a) S2E, technical partner expert in wearable design & manufacture, b) final validation: Ferrovial Servicios, Ferrovial Agroman, Cintra, and Calle 30, c) suppliers of encapsulated boxes, VPU, electronics components, Protective housing and wearable microcontrollers, d) “Alter Technology” qualified company for testing electronic components, e) Aenor, for certifying Secmotic compliance with ISO 9001:2015, f) Wearable devices manufactures: Misfit Cloud API, Fitbit and Mbientlab; g) list of customers/end users, either corporations leaders in the road and railway construction & maintenance and companies specialized in providing beaconing systems and occupational safety.
5) Market analysis & commercialization strategy: we will focus on road & railways warning devices used in maintenance & construction sites.
6) Patentability study: we confirm a freedom to operate for ZIMASS commercialisation around Europe, Canada, USA and Australia. As the software, in general is not patentable, we will use secrecy as means of intellectual protection.
7)Financial viability & Business plan from a detailed 5 years sales forecast: profit of 3,9 M€ from total sales of 3,578 units with average profit margin of 29%. Profitability of ZIMASS is proven for Secmotic with ROI= 66%.

Final results

ZIMASS is a portable and reliable awareness & safety system for work zone invasion, which increases safety & controls accessibility in temporary working areas.
1- Technically superior than competitors: a) Computer Vision (CV) + Artificial Intelligence (AI) that creates a virtual safety area, it means it does not need to be delimited by physical barriers as cones; b) Higher reliability: ~ 99% Reliable video detection, System response time <1 s = failure proof. c) Connected to unlimited Wearables: additionally, ZIMASS includes a specially designed bracelet, d) Alert Signals are transmitted by WIFI &BLE can reach ≥ 50 m per detector/unit. d) WEB APP will manage alerts and inform safety teams even public emergency services
2-Polyvalent & multiple applications: a) ZIMASS is the only 100% portable solution (15 x 8 x 7 cm = 900 gr weight). b) Multiple Monitoring Options (industrial or O&M applications): it can be customized to your needs. c) multiple monitoring options assure safety in the most critical context, c) Scalable & adaptable sensors modules, d) Plug & play: fully automated: easily installed in every temporary working area, not only for roads maintenance
3. Affordable & Long-lasting safety: a) 10 times cheaper than alternative smart solutions: lower Investment costs, €420/unit (node+ wearable), and 3.750 €/standard system (10 detection nodes + 5 wearables-). b) Low O&M cost (€0.015/day): it ensures a minimum energy use (<750mAh), and a daily operation without maintenance; c) Green safety system: ZIMASS can be 100% solar powered or plugged to into the grid, with 10 h of power; d) autonomy batteries (as standard workday); d) Payback period ≤ 2 months (e.g. to avoid a sick leave).
ZIMASS will benefit our 3 main stakeholders:
- Road/railway construction & maintenance companies: Affordable (×10 cheaper than competitors); Cost effective (420€/unit), with <100 W/day; Superior performance (AI), and Polyvalent/customized to several industrial applications.
- O&M workers and drivers: “Zero occupational accidents” (increased safety), Reliable (failure-proof technology), Easy &Quick to install, Better working conditions (increased workforce morale → increases productivity).
- EU economy, society & environment: a) Addressing road safety in line with EU directives and EU transport safety needs.
b) Reducing occupational leaves/ accidents, c) Boosting AI applications. d) Safer transportation routes, e) Green safety technology and f) Employment generation (+15 for Secmotic).

Website & more info

More info: https://secmotic.com/safeye-advanced-security/.