Search Results (458)

The rapid development of contemporary artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has given rise to the emerging paradigm of the AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), which is profoundly impacting human life and driving the digital transformation of industries and society. The AIoT not only enhances product functionality and convenience but also accelerates the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the widespread adoption of these technologies still poses challenges related to social inclusivity, particularly regarding insufficient accessibility for elderly users, which may exacerbate the digital divide and social inequality, contradicting SDG 10 (reducing inequality). This study integrates AIoT product development processes based on sustainability and universal design principles using methods such as Quality Function Deployment, the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the Scenario Method, the Entropy Weight Method, and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation. The features of this process include ease of operation and high flexibility, making it suitable for cross-departmental product development while prioritizing the needs of diverse age groups throughout the development process. The research findings indicate that the AIoT product concepts proposed can meet the needs of diverse users, contributing to the realization of age-friendly products. This study provides a reference point for future AIoT product development, promoting the inclusive and sustainable development of smart technology. Full article

Socialized services for rural characteristic industries are becoming a key support for promoting rural industries’ transformation and upgrading. They are permeating the development process of modern agricultural service technologies, achieving significant progress in specialized fields such as mechanized operations and plant-protection services. However, challenges remain, including low efficiency in matching service resources and limited spatiotemporal coordination capabilities. With the deep integration of spatiotemporal information technology and knowledge graph technology, the enormous potential of semantic-level feature spatial representation in intelligent scheduling of service resources has been fully demonstrated, providing a new technical pathway to solve the above problem. This paper systematically analyzes the technological evolution trends of socialized services for rural characteristic industries and proposes a collaborative scheduling framework based on semantic feature space and spatiotemporal maps for characteristic industry service resources. At the technical architecture level, the paper aims to construct a spatiotemporal graph model integrating geographic knowledge graphs and temporal tree technology to achieve semantic-level feature matching between service demand and supply. Regarding implementation pathways, the model significantly improves the spatiotemporal allocation efficiency of service resources through cloud service platforms that integrate spatial semantic matching algorithms and dynamic optimization technologies. This paper conducts in-depth discussions and analyses on technical details such as agricultural semantic feature extraction, dynamic updates of rural service resources, and the collaboration of semantic matching and spatio-temporal matching of supply and demand relationships. It also presents relevant implementation methods to enhance technical integrity and logic, which is conducive to the engineering implementation of the proposed methods. The effectiveness of the proposed collaborative scheduling framework for service resources is proved by the synthesis of principal analysis, logical deduction and case comparison. We have proposed a practical “three-step” implementation path conducive to realizing the proposed method. Regarding application paradigms, this technical system will promote the transformation of rural industry services from traditional mechanical operations to an intelligent service model of “demand perception–intelligent matching–precise scheduling”. In the field of socialized services for rural characteristic industries, it is suggested that relevant institutions promote this technical framework and pay attention to the development trends of new technologies such as knowledge services, spatio-temporal services, the Internet of Things, and unmanned farms so as to promote the sustainable development of rural characteristic industries. Full article

As cities confront intensifying environmental challenges and increasing expectations for sustainable governance, extending Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) evaluation frameworks to the urban scale has become a pressing need. However, existing ESG systems are typically designed for corporate contexts, lacking city-specific indicators, integrated data representations, and reliable ESG information with high spatial and temporal resolution for informed decision-making. This study proposes a comprehensive ESG evaluation framework tailored to green cities, which consists of three core components: (1) The construction of a green-oriented ESG indicator system with an expert-informed weighting system; (2) the design of a GIS-BIM-IoT integrated ontology that semantically aligns spatial, infrastructure, and observational data with ESG dimensions; and (3) the implementation of a web-based data integration and visualization platform that dynamically aggregates and visualizes ESG insights. A case study involving a primary school and an air quality monitoring station in Hong Kong demonstrates the system’s capability to infer material recycling rates and pollution concentration scores using ontology-driven reasoning and RDF-based knowledge graphs. The results are rendered in an interactive 3D urban interface, supporting real-time, multi-scale ESG evaluation. This framework transforms ESG assessment from a static reporting tool into a strategic asset for transparent, adaptive, and evidence-based urban sustainability governance. Full article

The construction industry, traditionally lagging behind in terms of digitalization, faces significant challenges in its transition to Industry 4.0, which is characterized by the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and cloud computing. This article presents the development and implementation of an AI-based virtual assistant, designed to optimize the operation and maintenance of concrete production plants. The assistant helps reduce the margin of human error, improve operational efficiency, and facilitate continuous training for operators. These advancements foster a more collaborative and digitalized environment, while also generating environmental, economic, and social benefits: reduced material and energy waste, lower carbon footprint, increased workplace safety, and strengthened organizational resilience. The results show high accuracy in voice transcription (96%) and a 100% success rate in responding to technical queries, demonstrating its effectiveness as a support tool in industrial settings. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the incorporation of AI-based virtual assistants promotes a more sustainable and responsible production model, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, and anticipates the principles of Industry 5.0 by promoting symbiotic collaboration between humans and technology. This innovation represents a key advancement in transforming the concrete industry, contributing to productivity, environmental sustainability, and workplace well-being in the sector. Full article

Supply chain management in the retail sector faces numerous internal and external challenges, increasing the need to incorporate environmental and social indicators into performance evaluation. The aim of this study is to identify these challenges and propose solutions that reduce the negative environmental impact of retail companies and enhance their social responsibility by leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies. A review of the scientific literature reveals a lack of research focused on improving supply chain sustainability in the retail sector. Therefore, an expert study was conducted to identify five key barriers hindering the effective integration of digital innovations (e.g., Internet of Things, artificial intelligence) into retail logistics operations. Based on the insights from this study, an integrated model for enhancing supply chain sustainability was developed, grounded in circular economy principles and advanced Industry 4.0 technologies. This model supports retail companies in increasing supply chain resilience and sustainability by outlining measures ranging from problem diagnostics and data management to the implementation of automated solutions and the strengthening of personnel competencies. The application of the model aims to reduce environmental pollution, improve resource efficiency, and promote socially responsible practices throughout the supply chain. Full article

In this paper, we design, implement, and empirically evaluate a tamper-evident, blockchain-secured solar energy logging system for resource-constrained edge Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Using a Merkle tree batching approach in conjunction with threshold-triggered blockchain anchoring, the system combines high-frequency local logging with energy-efficient, cryptographically verifiable submissions to the Ethereum Sepolia testnet, a public Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain. The logger captured and hashed cryptographic chains on a minute-by-minute basis during a continuous 135 h deployment on a Raspberry Pi equipped with an INA219 sensor. Thanks to effective retrial and daily rollover mechanisms, it committed 130 verified Merkle batches to the blockchain without any data loss or unverifiable records, even during internet outages. The system offers robust end-to-end auditability and tamper resistance with low operational and carbon overhead, which was tested with comparative benchmarking against other blockchain logging models and conventional local and cloud-based loggers. The findings illustrate the technical and sustainability feasibility of digital audit trails based on blockchain technology for distributed solar energy systems. These audit trails facilitate scalable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, automated renewable energy certification, and transparent carbon accounting. Full article

In recent years, the increasing complexity of production systems driven by technological development has created new opportunities in the industrial world but has also brought challenges in the practical use of these systems by operators. One of the biggest changes is data existence and its accessibility. This work proposes an IoT architecture specifically designed for real-world industrial environments. The goal is to present a system that can be effectively implemented to monitor operations and production processes in real time. This solution improves fault detection and identification, giving the operators the critical information needed to make informed decisions. The IoT architecture is implemented in two different industrial applications, demonstrating the flexibility of the architecture across various industrial contexts. It highlights how the system is monitored to reduce downtime when a fault occurs, making clear the loss in performance and the fault that causes this loss. Additionally, this approach supports human operators in a deeper understanding of their working environment, enabling them to make decisions based on real-time data. Full article

This research presents an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to provide holistic assistance and foster autonomy for visually impaired individuals within the university environment. Its main novelty is real-time sensory augmentation and spatial awareness, integrating ultrasonic, LiDAR, and RFID sensors for robust 360° obstacle detection, environmental perception, and precise indoor localization. A novel, optimized Dijkstra algorithm calculates optimal routes; speech and intent recognition enable intuitive voice control. The wearable smart glasses are complemented by a platform providing essential educational functionalities, including lesson reminders, timetables, and emergency assistance. Based on gamified principles of exploration and challenge, the platform includes immersive technology settings, intelligent image recognition, auditory conversion, haptic feedback, and rapid contextual awareness, delivering a sophisticated, effective navigational experience. Exhaustive technical evaluation reveals that a more autonomous and fulfilling university experience is made possible by notable improvements in navigation performance, object detection accuracy, and technical capabilities for social interaction features, according to a thorough technical audit. Full article

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is reshaping manufacturing by integrating advanced digital technologies and is increasingly seen as an enabler of the circular economy (CE). However, most research treats digitalisation and circularity separately, with limited empirical insight regarding their combined implementation. This study investigates I4.0 adoption to support sustainability and CE across industries, focusing on how enterprise size influences adoption patterns. Based on survey data from 69 enterprises, the research examines which technologies are applied, at what stages of the product life cycle, and what barriers and drivers influence uptake. Findings reveal a modest but growing adoption led by the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and integrated systems. While larger firms implement more advanced tools (e.g., robotics and simulation), smaller enterprises favour accessible solutions (e.g., IoT and cloud computing). A positive link is observed between digital adoption and CE practices, though barriers remain significant. Five main categories of perceived obstacles are identified: political/institutional, financial, social/market-related, technological/infrastructural, and legal/regulatory. Attitudinal resistance, particularly in micro and small enterprises, emerges as an additional challenge. Based on these insights, and to support the twin transition, the paper proposes targeted policies, including expanded funding, streamlined procedures, enhanced training, and tools for circular performance monitoring. Full article

Digital transformation (DT) has become a strategic priority for public administrations, particularly due to the need to deliver more efficient and citizen-centered services and respond to societal expectations, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). In this context, the main objective of this study is to propose an innovative methodology to automatically evaluate the level of digital transformation (DT) in public sector organizations. The proposed approach combines traditional assessment methods with Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. The methodology follows a dual approach: on the one hand, surveys are conducted using specialized staff from various public entities; on the other, AI-based models (including neural networks and transformer architectures) are used to estimate the DT level of the organizations automatically. Our approach has been applied to a real-world case study involving local public administrations in the Valencian Community (Spain) and shown effective performance in assessing DT. While the proposed methodology has been validated in a specific local context, its modular structure and dual-source data foundation support its international scalability, acknowledging that administrative, regulatory, and DT maturity factors may condition its broader applicability. The experiments carried out in this work include (i) the creation of a domain-specific corpus derived from the surveys and websites of several organizations, used to train the proposed models; (ii) the use and comparison of diverse AI methods; and (iii) the validation of our approach using real data. Based on the deficiencies identified, the study concludes that the integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), sensor networks, and AI-based analytics can significantly support resilient, agile urban environments and the transition towards more effective and sustainable Smart City models. Full article

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) systems with social networking concepts has opened new business and social opportunities, particularly by allowing smart objects to autonomously establish social relationships with each other and exchange information. However, these relations must be properly quantified and integrated with trust in order to proliferate the provisioning of IoT composite services. Therefore, this proposed work focuses on quantitatively computing social strength and trust among smart objects in IoT for the purpose of aiding efficient service composition with reasonable accuracy. In particular, we propose a trust-augmented social strength (TASS) management protocol that can cope with the heterogeneity of IoT and demonstrate high scalability and resiliency against various malicious attacks. Afterward, we show how the TASS measurements can be applied to service planning in IoT service composition. Based on the experimental results, we conclude that the proposed protocol is, in fact, capable of exhibiting the above-mentioned characteristics in real-world settings. Full article

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are becoming increasingly important for sustainable rural development through the smart village concept. This study aims to model ICT’s potential for public services management in European rural areas. It identifies ICT applications across rural service domains, analyzes how these technologies address specific rural challenges, and evaluates their benefits, implementation barriers, and future prospects for sustainable rural development. A qualitative content analysis method was applied using purposive sampling to analyze 79 peer-reviewed articles from EBSCO and Elsevier databases (2000–2024). A deductive approach employed predefined categories to systematically classify ICT applications across rural public service domains, with data coded according to technology scope, problems addressed, and implementation challenges. The analysis identified 15 ICT application domains (agriculture, healthcare, education, governance, energy, transport, etc.) and 42 key technology categories (Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, digital platforms, mobile applications, etc.). These technologies address four fundamental rural challenges: limited service accessibility, inefficient resource management, demographic pressures, and social exclusion. This study provides the first comprehensive systematic categorization of ICT applications in smart villages, establishing a theoretical framework connecting technology deployment with sustainable development dimensions. Findings demonstrate that successful ICT implementation requires integrated urban–rural cooperation, community-centered approaches, and balanced attention to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The research identifies persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited digital competencies, and high implementation costs, providing actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners developing ICT-enabled rural development strategies. Full article

Housing sustainability is a cornerstone element of sustainable economic and social development. This is particularly true for China, where high-rise residential buildings are the primary form of housing. In recent years, China has experienced frequent housing-related accidents, resulting in a significant loss of life and property damage. This study aims to identify the key factors influencing housing sustainability and provide a basis for the prevention and control of housing-related safety risks. This study has developed a housing sustainability evaluation indicator system comprising three primary indicators and 16 secondary indicators. This system is based on an analysis of the causes of over 500 typical housing accidents that occurred in China over the past 10 years, employing research methods such as literature reviews and expert consultations, and drawing on the analytical frameworks of risk management theory and system safety theory. Subsequently, the NK-SNA model, which significantly outperforms traditional models in terms of adaptive learning and optimization, as well as the explicit modeling of complex nonlinear relationships, was used to identify the key risk factors affecting housing sustainability. The empirical results indicate that the risk coupling value is correlated with the number of risk coupling factors; the greater the number of risk coupling factors, the larger the coupling value. Human misconduct is prone to forming two-factor risk coupling with housing, and the physical risk factors are prone to coupling with other factors. The environmental factors easily trigger ‘physical–environmental’ two-factor risk coupling. The key factors influencing housing sustainability are poor supervision, building facilities, the main structure, the housing height, foundation settlement, and natural disasters. On this basis, recommendations are made to make full use of modern information technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence to strengthen the supervision of housing safety and avoid multi-factor coupling, and to improve upon early warnings of natural disasters and the design of emergency response programs to control the coupling between physical and environmental factors. Full article

Rapid and comprehensive assessment of building damage caused by earthquakes is essential for effective emergency response and rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath. Advanced technologies, including real-time simulations, remote sensing, and multi-sensor systems, can effectively enhance situational awareness and structural damage evaluations. However, most existing methods rely on isolated time snapshots, and few studies have systematically explored the continuous, time-scaled integration and update of building damage estimates from multiple data sources. This study proposes a stepwise framework that continuously updates time-scaled, single-damage estimation outputs using the best available multi-sensor data for estimating earthquake-induced building damage. We demonstrated the framework using the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake as a case study and incorporated official damage reports from the Ishikawa Prefectural Government, real-time earthquake building damage estimation (REBDE) data, and satellite-based damage estimation data (ALOS-2-building damage estimation (BDE)). By integrating the REBDE and ALOS-2-BDE datasets, we created a composite damage estimation product (integrated-BDE). These datasets were statistically validated against official damage records. Our framework showed significant improvements in accuracy, as demonstrated by the mean absolute percentage error, when the datasets were integrated and updated over time: 177.2% for REBDE, 58.1% for ALOS-2-BDE, and 25.0% for integrated-BDE. Finally, for stepwise damage estimation, we proposed a methodological framework that incorporates social media content to further confirm the accuracy of damage assessments. Potential supplementary datasets, including data from Internet of Things-enabled home appliances, real-time traffic data, very-high-resolution optical imagery, and structural health monitoring systems, can also be integrated to improve accuracy. The proposed framework is expected to improve the timeliness and accuracy of building damage assessments, foster shared understanding of disaster impacts across stakeholders, and support more effective emergency response planning, resource allocation, and decision-making in the early stages of disaster management in the future, particularly when comprehensive official damage reports are unavailable. Full article

Energy-intensive industries (EIIs) face mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining international competitiveness—a balance that is central to achieving the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate objectives. In this context, energy management (EM) emerges as a strategic instrument to decouple industrial growth from fossil energy consumption. This study proposes a redefinition of EM to support carbon-neutral supply chains within the European Union’s EIIs, addressing critical limitations of conventional EM frameworks under increasingly stringent carbon regulations. Using a modified systematic literature review based on PRISMA methodology, complemented by expert insights from EU Member States, this research identifies structural gaps in current EM practices and highlights opportunities for integrating sustainable innovations across the whole industrial value chain. The proposed EM concept is validated through an analysis of 24 EM definitions, over 170 scientific publications, and over 80 EU legal and strategic documents. The framework incorporates advanced digital technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics—to enable real-time optimisation, predictive control, and greater system adaptability. Going beyond traditional energy efficiency, the redefined EM encompasses the entire energy lifecycle, including use, transformation, storage, and generation. It also incorporates social dimensions, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder engagement, to cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship within EIIs. This holistic approach provides a strategic management tool for optimising energy use, reducing emissions, and strengthening resilience to regulatory, environmental, and market pressures, thereby promoting more sustainable, inclusive, and transparent supply chain operations. Full article