As technology advances, the internet of things continues to be used in new areas. In a new twist, IoT and 5G will be used in garbage trucks to repair roads. A research collaboration between Swinbrune University of Technology and Brimbank City Council will make use of 5G network and the internet of things in garbage trucks to detect the local road repair works.
For this purpose, high-resolution cameras and GPS sensors will be attached to the garbage trucks. While they are sent on duty, the truck will map out assets that require maintenance, such as road signs, bus shelters or damaged roads. The truck will collect 3D perception data at a rate of 900 Mbps. The collected data will be sent in real-time to a cloud-based system.
It is expected that the technology will drastically reduce the time and money of the local council it takes to identify, document, manual reporting, fixing and auditing. It will save up to 50% of assets auditing costs. The maintenance team will get the information directly on their phones and upload proof of maintenance performed on the spot.
The Federal Government’s 5G Innovation Initiative supports the project with $1.18 million in funds.
Director of Swinburne’s Factory of the Future and Digital Innovation Lab, Associate Professor Prem Prakash Jayaraman said “Swinburne is bringing together researchers, government and industry to co-create safe, resilient solutions for smart and sustainable cities. Together, we are enhancing access to services, places and economic opportunities, and improving quality of life.”
“We are delighted to be working with the forward-thinking Brimbank Council, and utilising Swinburne’s leading capabilities and world-renowned expertise in Internet of Things and digital innovation to demonstrate a solution that can be used in cities across Australia and around the world.”
Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen warmly welcomed the partnership.
“Residents have told us via the Community Survey that improving the appearance of Brimbank’s roads, road signs, bus stop shelters and roadside spaces is a high priority,” Cr Nguyen said.
“This innovative 5G-based project offers us a quicker and more efficient way to identify which assets need maintenance, and to get the information to the work crews. Simply put, this project will help Council respond faster to assets that need maintenance.”
“Council is pleased to be working with Swinburne University and Optus on this ground-breaking project. Our project will also lead the way for other councils considering 5G based solutions for road and roadside asset condition monitoring.”
The project is expected to not only to improve the lives and safety of locals but also to save millions of dollars of Australian council every year spent on maintenance and improving road and roadside assets in Brimbank.
