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Exploring the Future of IoT: Highlights from the MERIT International Industry Engagement Workshop

On May 28, 2025, the MERIT project hosted an International Industry Engagement Workshop, bringing together researchers, technologists, and policymakers from across Europe to examine the transformative potential of the Internet of Things (IoT). The event served as a dynamic forum for sharing practical insights, research findings, and collaborative strategies that bridge academia, industry, and public administration. Throughout the workshop, participants explored cutting-edge developments—from AI-integrated robotics and urban infrastructure innovations to education platforms and energy-efficient edge computing—offering a comprehensive view of the opportunities and challenges inherent in scaling connected technologies.

The workshop began with Radu Boncea (ICI Bucharest), who articulated a vision for integrated innovation labs that unify artificial intelligence, robotics, and IoT within a cohesive research and development framework. He showcased OpenBot, an open-source, cost-effective robotic platform designed to operate with visual-language models and real-time human tracking systems. A practical application involving hospital logistics illustrated the real-world potential of such systems: a robotic cart autonomously delivering meals guided by sensor networks and data-driven navigation. He also introduced an ambitious Romanian initiative involving geohazard data fusion, which integrates seismic, emission, and satellite data to predict natural risks—a national-scale demonstration of IoT’s relevance to public safety and environmental monitoring.

From a regional innovation standpoint, Lucian Alexa of NERDA described the digital transformation of northeastern Romania, where innovative technologies are being deployed to support municipalities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Projects focused on intelligent video surveillance, environmental monitoring, utility tracking, and smart parking, yet Alexa underscored a pressing concern: the widespread lack of basic cybersecurity infrastructure among public administrations. His remarks served as a reminder that innovation must be accompanied by resilience, especially in regions that are striving to modernize rapidly. Two compelling examples illustrate this dual focus on innovation and practicality: Orange Romania’s competent intersection pilot, which leverages edge computing and AI to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents, and Octavic’s digital manufacturing system, which enables real-time factory monitoring, automated reporting, and predictive maintenance.

Education emerged as a critical yet often overlooked dimension of the IoT landscape. Professor Raivo Sell (TalTech) presented a Europe-wide network of remote laboratories that allow students to interact with real-world sensors and devices through online platforms. These labs, embedded within smart buildings and factory simulators, foster both technical training and cross-border collaboration. By enabling scalable, inclusive access to engineering education, they exemplify the role of IoT in shaping future-ready pedagogies.

Professor Jordi Bonet (UPC) provided a technical deep dive into the deployment of IoT systems in industrial contexts. His comparative analysis of communication protocols such as LoRaWAN and 2G, along with a discussion of power consumption strategies and edge computing solutions, illuminated the engineering trade-offs that define successful IoT implementation. Bonet emphasized the importance of local data compression and firmware adaptation to overcome power constraints and ensure system efficiency.

Iustina Ivanova (FBK) presented a remarkable case study in TinyML—running advanced AI models on highly resource-constrained hardware. Her team developed a flow meter detection system using ESP32 microcontrollers with just 8MB of RAM, employing object detection algorithms like YOLOv11 to monitor irrigation systems in real-time. This work highlighted how powerful AI capabilities can be deployed in compact, energy-efficient formats suitable for field conditions.

Industry applications also featured prominently, as Marta Millan (Asoindel) presented a series of case studies from the manufacturing and rail transport sectors. These projects focused on real-time data acquisition, edge intelligence, and control systems designed to monitor equipment performance and optimize operational workflows. One standout example involved the use of AI to enhance battery testing and classification in railway systems, developed in collaboration with researchers from UPC—illustrating how industry-academic partnerships can yield impactful technological solutions.

The workshop concluded with an open discussion that crystallized several overarching themes. Participants emphasized the growing complexity of integrating large-scale sensor networks and the rising importance of energy-efficient data sampling. Concerns about cybersecurity, particularly regarding the reliability of foreign-made components, underlined the need for robust standards and trusted suppliers. The influence of AI-assisted development tools, such as GitHub Copilot, was also noted, with implications for both educational practice and professional workflows. Additionally, open-source tools like Tasmota firmware were mentioned for their role in enabling rapid, secure prototyping of ESP-based IoT devices.

Overall, the MERIT International Industry Engagement Workshop offered a vivid portrait of Europe’s evolving IoT landscape—one where education, industry, and governance are increasingly interwoven. The breadth of applications, from hospital robotics and smart agriculture to urban mobility and industrial automation, underscored the versatility and societal relevance of IoT technologies. Yet across all domains, shared challenges emerged: cybersecurity, scalability, interoperability, and human capital development. The workshop reaffirmed Europe’s capacity to lead in developing IoT systems that are not only connected but also smart, secure, inclusive, and human-centric demonstrating that technological advancement and societal benefit can go hand in hand.