Bosch demonstrated its smart building model through three problem-solving exhibits on smart scenarios, dashboards and value-added services at the International Built Environment Week held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The event was organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and attracted more than 13,000 attendees.
The first part of Bosch’s smart building model comprised of scenarios where technologies monitor and respond to different environments.
Layer 1: Smart scenarios
Facial Recognition Access Control System
The touchless access system does away with the need to use fingerprints or traditional access cards (which may be misplaced or inconvenient when a person has his or her hands full). By integrating facial recognition software with the access control system, white lists can be created so the gate automatically opens for registered visitors or employees. Similarly, blacklists can be created so the gate will not open and security will be notified if an unauthorised person attempts to enter.
Smart Inventory/Parking System
Another exhibit also showed how a camera could be trained to distinguish customised scenarios - for example, if a particular container was empty or contained some objects. This training is also applicable to parking lots! One camera can monitor 60 to 70 parking lots and be taught to identify empty ones. In contrast to pricey embedded sensors, such a camera system can save costs.
Layer 2: Connected building services
The second layer of a smart building comprises Connected Building Services which collects data from connected sensors into data pools. The data is then analysed, and the findings are presented through a dashboard for easy visualisation and actionable insights. Over time, the data provides insights into historical trends to support planning and decision making.
Layer 3: Value added services
In a smart building, the data collected can also provide valuable insights to end users. This led to the development of Bosch Assist, a chatbot for people to interact and communicate with buildings.
Bosch Assist
A video showcasing the capabilities of Bosch Assist was displayed at the pavilion. It depicted users querying Bosch Assist through a messaging app to find out if the gym is crowded or what is on the cafeteria’s lunch menu. In addition to answering a user’s questions, Bosch Assist can also proactively push out messages to relevant stakeholders to take action if required. If someone is parked where they shouldn’t be, for example, a smart camera detects an illegally parked vehicle and messages security personnel to investigate.