December 10, 2024, by Gundula Heinatz Bürki, data innovation alliance

The Innovation Booster Databooster, powered by Innosuisse, was a success story as a program. 4 years of promoting innovation – from community building to organizing ideation and co-creation sessions to co-financing innovative ideas. So it was time to come together one last time and offer a platform to a selected number of innovation teams with fascinating ideas to tell their personal success story. More than 50 participants gathered at the Technopark Zurich for the Databooster Finale on December 05, 2024, to share the experiences and to set-up the next steps with a collaborative and open innovation mindset. It was truly inspiring to learn so many innovative ways how data-driven methods can improve the lives of humans, animals and society as a whole.

Read on to gain an insight into the projects that the Databooster has supported over the course of its activities. If you want to see the full overview of all supported projects, have a look at our website.

The keynote speaker Kerstin Johansson Baker from the Federal Statistical Office informed the audience about the usage of Data Science for Public Good. Kerstin presented some projects of the Data Science Competence Center for the Swiss public administration and how researchers can collaborate with the center. It was interesting to hear how far the public sector has come in making data available – not only in terms of data quality, e.g. with regard to standardized metadata, but also in terms of access options that enable seamless integration into third-party applications. A treasure trove of data that is still underused by the private sector and offers great potential for developing innovative products and services.

The project presentations started with Polina Veltmann and Romain Meisterhans from Smilamind, who presented the professional support for efficient treatment of youth mental health and wellbeing with smart remote monitoring for. It was important to co-create with young people the solution, to collect feedback from stakeholders to optimize clinical effectiveness, and of course to ensure the correct handling of legal requirements and ethical-moral issues.

In the following presentation, Mel Zürcher from rewoso informed the audience about a medical database supporting medical outcomes with quick insights in the current state of science. Together with the Bellevue Medical Group, the team addressed the challenge of the limited availability of medical data in structural form. Finally, they shifted the idea to an individual dashboard for patients.

The next presenter Fabio Lambruschi from Sourceway Sarl presented their project about cervical spine assessment for the range of motion. Cervical spine pathology is becoming increasingly prevalent leading to significant social and healthcare costs worldwide. Together with the stakeholders, they developed an AI-driven mobile app as technology for everyone. It creates economic value by reducing the need for in-person clinical visits, thus lowering healthcare costs and enabling faster preliminary clarification for a larger part of the population.

Nic Lenz from Litix demonstrated how to access a large archive of documents in the field of geology from the past 60 years. The innovation team used interviews with potential customers from public administration, notary office, fire fighters and insurance companies to develop a vision and to test the idea with AI-powered maps. This idea once again highlighted the great added value that can be found in existing data archives when using current methods and technologies.

Joana Kühne from Artificialy presented the innovation journey together with Forbo to improve the tile manufacturing process using AI technology. The involved stakeholder got a deeper understanding of the process and specific defect types .It was nicely demonstrated here how collaboration between larger industrial organisations, agile SMEs, and research can create added value for all parties involved.

In the next project presentation from Martin Beth (OST), the challenges of the building industry were discussed. The team addressed the existing needs of digitalization in the building industry and in the frame of Building Information Modeling (BIM). The team investigated this challenge and built a first solution from a rule-based to an AI-based quality management of BIM models.

Maaz Sheikh from Ageospatial Sàrl presented their innovation journey together with the University of Geneva to address the challenges of geoinformation systems in Switzerland. The team identified the limits and potentials of GeoLLMs and created a proof of concept with Swiss Federal data. This approach used location intelligence for supporting informed decisions by different stakeholders from the insurance industry as well as from municipalities.

Other highlights included the presentation from Benoît Buchs from PrecisionFly. Their project aims at AI-based pipe inspection with the city of Winterthur. Additionally, Wolfram Willuhn from Plutinsus demonstrated how they could optimise the scaling of the heating system through stakeholder collaboration and building a digital twin. Johannes Löckinger from AI-Tails explained the challenges of identifying and tracking animal pain. First, the team realized that they have to ask the right questions to the stakeholder to understand the user and market interest. The team designed a solution filling an existing gap in the market for pets and livestock.

Before the networking apéro, the Databooster outcomes were presented after four successful years funded by Innosuisse. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over by supporting our ideation events, evaluating the innovation ideas, submitting innovative projects, fuelling ideas or working behind the scenes. Without your help this would not have been possible.

Christoph Heitz, as president of the Leading House, concluded that the innovation journey of the IB Databooster came to an end, but new opportunities are arising with other Innovation Boosters, such as the IB Artificial Intelligence, and other instruments. Innovation never sleeps – and the data innovation alliance will continue to be at the forefront of innovation in the field of data and AI.

December 15, 2024, by Jürg Meierhofer, Expert Group Smart Services

Remote services are

• Economic: faster response to customer need, less costs
• Environmental: less emissions by travelling
• Social: better plannable work time

Thanks to René Vogel (Mr. Vision), we have gained an impressive insight into how the new possibilities of AR / VR can support this. Many thanks to STAUFEN.INOVA AG (Thomas Spiess) for hosting us in their wonderful premises in a super central location in Zürich.

A team of researchers is currently developing AILAS (AI Law Supporter) as a tool for AI product/service developers to find out what kind of legal issues they face, and where they get help to address them. The Data Ethics Expert Group served as Sounding Board for this project that is supported by the AI Innovation Booster.

10 members of the Expert Group provided a feedback to the first version of the questionnaire presented by Janmejay Singh, who has the operative lead in this project. The questionnaire, structured along the logic of the EU AI act, will be further improved based on this feedback for the first Shaping Workshop that is planned for early December 2024. At this Shaping Workshop, a mock version of the tool will be presented to a stakeholder group that include both potential users (such as AI startups) and supporters (such as consultants) of AILAS. A second Shaping Workshop is planned for January 2025.

September 03, 2024, by Alessandro Puiatti, SUPSI

The 6th ZHAW Digital Health Lab Day took place on September 3, 2024, at the ZHAW School of Engineering in Winterthur, under the theme “People, Technologies, and Processes.” This annual event brought together leading experts, innovators, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss and explore the future of digital health.

The program – which attracted almost 300 participants from healthcare, IT, management, health sectors, startups, and research communities, engaged in vibrant discussions about the latest developments in digital health – was designed to provide a rich and varied experience, featuring a blend of keynote speeches, interactive workshops, poster exhibitions, startup pitches, and panel discussions. This diverse format allowed attendees to engage deeply with the material and network with professionals across the industry. The keynote speakers included prominent figures from academia, healthcare policy, and industry who shared their insights on critical issues and innovative developments in the digital health landscape.

Among the highlights were presentations on pioneering concepts such as Digital Twins, explained by Prof. Dr. Sven Hirsch from ZHAW, who discussed how virtual models of patients can enhance personalized medicine. Prof. Dr. Roger Gassert from ETH Zurich explored advancements in neurorehabilitation, shedding light on new technologies that aid recovery for individuals with neurological conditions. Additionally, Dr. Guy Bogaarts from Roche Diagnostics provided valuable information on digital biomarkers and their role in patient monitoring and treatment optimization. Gian-Reto Grond from the Federal Office of Public Health offered insights into the DigiSanté program, emphasizing the Swiss government’s commitment to integrating digital health solutions into conventional healthcare practices.

The event also featured engaging workshops where participants could delve into specific topics related to digital health innovations and their practical applications. Startup pitches provided a platform for emerging companies to showcase their groundbreaking products and solutions, fostering an environment of collaboration and entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the panel discussions facilitated dynamic exchanges among experts regarding the challenges and opportunities in implementing digital health technologies. These conversations encouraged participants to think critically about the ethical, regulatory, and logistical considerations necessary for the successful rollout of digital health initiatives.

Overall, the 6th ZHAW Digital Health Lab Day not only highlighted the latest research and technological advancements but also emphasized the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. By fostering meaningful dialogue and networking opportunities, the event aimed to drive forward innovations in digital health that enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and ultimately transform the healthcare sector.

August 29, 2024, by Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW and Gundula Heinatz Bürki, data innovation alliance

In the age of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The smart factory concept, which centers on creating value from data and utilizing smart data solutions, is at the forefront of this revolution. In the framework of the Smart Data Forum at the “maintenance” fair (https://www.maintenance-schweiz.ch/) on August 29, 2024, three industry presentations from companies ABB and Kistler as well as a research presentation from ZHAW were given around this topic. The numerous audience was engaged in lively discussions. Many thanks to Markus Rodermann, Gerrit Schatte, Helmut Sedding, and Christian Oehrli for their valuable contributions.

The first presentation gave a deep dive into the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) technology in manufacturing, emphasizing its pivotal role in Industry 4.0. IoT enables automation, predictive maintenance, and asset tracking, which are game-changers for modern factories. Connected devices are not just enhancing productivity; they are also significantly improving worker safety on the shop floor. By automating routine tasks and monitoring conditions in real-time, IoT-driven solutions lead to more efficient and safer manufacturing processes.

Moreover, the environmental impact cannot be overlooked. IoT applications in industrial settings have the potential to drastically reduce energy consumption and associated costs. This contributes to more sustainable manufacturing practices, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints. The keynote highlighted how these advancements are not just theoretical but are already being implemented to drive tangible results.

Additionally, the presentations delved into the use of sensors and data analytics in monitoring manufacturing processes and infrastructure. Real-world examples, such as the monitoring of wheel-rail interactions for railway applications and the surveillance of bridge conditions, were used to illustrate the practical benefits of these technologies.

By leveraging sensor data, manufacturers can gain insights into the health of their processes and infrastructure in real-time. This capability allows for early detection of potential issues, reducing downtime and preventing costly failures. The ability to continuously monitor and analyze data ensures that manufacturing operations remain efficient and that critical infrastructure is maintained to the highest standards.

As resource planning is a critical aspect of manufacturing, there was an additional focus on how modern AI technology is enhancing this process. Traditionally, Gantt charts have been used to visualize objectives like efficiency and punctuality in resource planning. However, manual planning involves an experienced planner who accounts for both written and unwritten constraints—something that automated planning software often struggles with.

The introduction of AI changes the game by providing planners with a natural language interface that they can interact with intuitively. This allows for real-time adjustments to plans, closing the gap between automated scheduling and the realities of execution. This breakthrough is a significant step towards democratizing automated planning, making it more accessible and practical for industries across the board.

Adding a very interesting perspective, we explored the critical question of how to measure user value in smart applications. It was emphasized that both measurable values and the emotional impact of applications play crucial roles in determining their success. Understanding how users interact with and perceive these applications is key to improving existing solutions and guiding the development of new ones. The importance of focusing on user experience to ensure that smart applications deliver tangible benefits was highlighted. Whether it’s enhancing productivity, reducing costs, or simply making processes easier to manage, the ability to measure and optimize user value is essential in the ongoing evolution of smart technologies.

Conclusion

The event showcased the immense potential of smart factories powered by data and intelligent technologies. From IoT integration to AI-driven resource planning, each presentation highlighted different facets of how data and smart solutions are transforming manufacturing. As industries continue to adopt these innovations, the future of manufacturing looks smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.

By Milena Perraudin, data innovation alliance

It was truly inspiring to see so many innovative ways data-driven methods can improve the lives of animals, humans, and society as a whole. From improving our behavior in front of screens, detecting distress in horses, and facilitating the mobility of people in wheelchairs to identifying small damages in bridges and more. The Innovation Booster Databooster, powered by Innosuisse, supported a wide range of fascinating projects. Read on to get inspired by the highlights of the Project Day on June 25th, 2024, at Oracle in Zurich. An afternoon where 35 data enthusiasts gathered to gain firsthand insights into the innovation journeys and lessons learned from innovators, exchange ideas, and network together.

The afternoon started with Huseyn Gasimov from Intelec AI, who presented their newly developed app. The app, still in its early stages, aims to improve children’s behavior in front of screens by ensuring they maintain an appropriate distance. The vision is to develop an app that runs in the background of digital devices, informing users when they unconsciously position themselves in unhealthy ways.

In the following presentation, Miriam Baumgartner from Agroscope informed the audience about their ability to detect distress in horses in free-range stables. The sensor-based data allows horse owners to track the well-being of their horses from a distance and avoid stress-based injuries.

The next presenter Dirk Zimanky from edisconet summarized their project as follows: “As seasoned professionals leave the workforce, the risk of losing valuable tacit experience “Silent Knowledge” looms large. Yet, collecting this tacit knowledge holds immense potential for future growth and success, both on individual and organizational levels.

edisconet is developing a platform that utilizes advanced AI techniques, such as scripted interviews transforming spoken knowledge into a usable format stored within databases. The Silent Knowledge project seeks to seamlessly convert tacit expert knowledge into new learnings, at the same time optimizing the training process for newcomers.” Do you want to try out the current state of the app and its abilities? Download the app Memoro and see for yourself. 

Other highlights included the presentation from Iman El Telt from Topo Helvetica. Their Slowlution project aims at facilitating travel and mobility for people in wheelchairs. Additionally, Giulia Aguzzi from Kistler Instrumente demonstrated how they use Graph Neural Networks to detect abnormalities in bridge structures to ensure long-term stability.

After a refreshing networking break, participants were introduced to the projects “SkyScan: Object Detection from Limited Flight Data” presented by Eric Chaubert from ELIX. Massimo Menzio from MTF and Ayoub Omran from SUPSI presented a novelty for the construction industry: an innovative tool for simplifying the drafting of buildings’ specifications. 

Manuel Kugler, from our partner SATW, presented the results of an incredible collaborative effort involving 70 domain experts on how to use the power of AI to mitigate the impact of climate change on Switzerland. Michele Bolla from ERNI provided insights into the benefits of open data value creation that were addressed in a cross-industry workshop.

Indiana Valerian from ANTS presented their journey towards a local and more affordable Machine Learning setup with distributed hardware to enable innovation with a chatGPT-type AI-assistant while keeping data safe and local.

Before the networking apéro, participants were introduced to further funding opportunities for national and transnational projects by Tim Llewellynn from EU Research and Frank Wolff, an Innosuisse Mentor.

Once again, participants left inspired, having connected with old and new data enthusiasts. Tomas Tamfal, Data Scientist at ERNI, summarized it well: “It’s always inspiring to be part of such innovative discussions and to connect with brilliant minds in the industry.”

See you next time!

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

Visit at the Kistler Innovation Lab in Winterthur

On June 20, the Expert Group Smart Services (https://data-innovation.org/smart-services/) had the chance to visit the Kistler innovation lab in Winterthur. The visit provided an impressive insight into the increasing intertwining of physical and digital processes, which unlocks countless new possibilities and opportunities. Kistler, a global leader in dynamic measurement technology, recognizes this potential. In their Innovation Lab, they harness data-driven insights to create innovative services and solutions. 

The afternoon started with impressive presentations by Johannes Stühler, Head of Service Development, Sharon Joseph, Data Engineer, and Gerrit Schatte Lead Projects / Biz Dev Innovation Lab. Profound discussions unfolded between these experts and the participants of the expert group. Numerous opportunities for further discussions were also recognized and new contacts were made.

The round of presentations was followed by a factory visit, which gave in-depth insight into the technological and value-adding processes of Kistler. At the concluding aperitif, the discussions could be deepened and further initiatives were initiated.

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

Value creation through Smart Services in business ecosystems is a relevant topic with significant, yet largely untapped potential. In these business ecosystems, the essential focus is on understanding value creation for the stakeholders, quantifying it, and balancing it within the ecosystem. Leveraging data in value creation opens up new possibilities and, when properly designed, can also promote sustainable value creation.

The CAS Smart Service Engineering at ZHAW School of Engineering conducted four case studies on May 30th and 31st, 2024, at the Mobiliar Forum to optimize ecosystem design. Innovative approaches were developed to understand value creation for the stakeholders and achieve balance within the ecosystem. Special thanks to Fabrizio Laneve and Ina Goller for their work!

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

Workshop by the Expert Group Smart Services at the Swiss Conference on Data Science 2024, May 30

In this workshop, participants explored the critical role of social values in shaping corporate practices. The session kicked off with an introduction, emphasizing the impact of social values on today’s business landscape. The subsequent input presentation delved into defining social values and their relevance to business strategies. Attendees gained insights from an ongoing qualitative study conducted by students at ZHAW and HSLU, which showcased successful integration of social values into corporate practices. Additionally, results from a previous Expert Group meeting on Smart Services were shared, highlighting the benefits of aligning business objectives with social values.

Social value creation by companies can be fostered through specific design of business processes and services. A current master project at ZHAW investigates how these processes and services should be designed to achieve a desired social value outcome. Following a presentation of intermediate results of this study, the interactive dialogue allowed participants to discuss challenges and opportunities related to implementing social values within businesses. Insights and experiences were exchanged, and potential hurdles were identified.

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

The recent “Service Lunch: Eating, Learning, Networking” event featured Chris Bochsler from Cando, who shared practical examples of how AI can enable innovative smart services in the field of energy management. By leveraging customer documents and real-time data, Cando successfully linked these resources to an LLM (RAG) framework, resulting in more relevant and valuable outcomes.

Cando’s approach involved integrating the LLM (RAG) framework into various apps. This strategic move also earned them the “Best of Swiss App” Award in Innovation.. By seamlessly incorporating AI capabilities, they enhanced user experiences and delivered valuable services. The LLM (RAG) framework demonstrated versatility by catering to both smaller and larger companies, adapting to different contexts and providing customized services based on specific needs.

One example is Koster Home, a home energy manager, which integrated the LLM (RAG) framework into its home system, including components like heat pumps and photovoltaic (PV) panels. The system helps users determine optimal times for charging their electric cars or suggests solutions for low shower water pressure.

Cando’s energy management system integrates numerous data sources, such as production trends or weather forecasts. For instance, if a steep temperature increase is predicted, the system recommends adjusting heating settings. Or it issues warnings when anomalies occur, translating technical information into a user-specific language (e.g., layperson vs. technical expert).

Learnings included the need to monitor quality, balance data quantity, and stay informed about rapid AI development. The technical approach using the LLM (RAG) framework proved effective. The system combined structured and non-structured data, contextualized information, and utilized vector embeddings. Looking ahead, Cando aims to ensure operational stability through AIOps, maintain quality assurance, or explore ontologies and knowledge graphs. Their innovative use of AI and data integration exemplifies how smart services can evolve and adapt.