MERIT Showcase at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), represented by the UPC Technology Center (CIT UPC), actively participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023, held from November 7 to 9 at the Gran Via venue of the Fira de Barcelona.
During the event, the UPC hosted a dedicated session to introduce a selection of projects and prototypes developed with UPC technology in the field of smart cities. These innovations were prominently displayed at the University’s exhibition stand throughout the fair.
Titled ‘Shaping the Urban Future: UPC Solutions for Greener, Sustainable, Inclusive, and Digital Cities,’ the session occurred on Wednesday, November 8, from 10:30 am to 12:45 pm at the UPC stand, gathering more than 30 attendees. Alongside the UPC, spin-offs originating from the university also participated, enhancing the exhibition space.
The showcased prototypes included a conversational robot capable of performing daily and care tasks, sustainable construction materials derived from clothing waste and textile remnants, an interactive model illustrating the integration of flows between buildings and urban agriculture, an IoT-based system enhancing battery performance in fire detection systems, and a digital display totem serving as a virtual assistant. This totem, powered by artificial intelligence, aids users in learning about, applying for, and managing social grants from local government. Additionally, a robotic exoskeleton designed to assist mobility for individuals with spinal cord injuries, a concrete 3D printed prototype, and a fireproof, sustainable material utilizing industrial fibers from the paper and cardboard industry were presented.
Complementing these innovations, the Master of Science in Smart, Secure, and Interconnected Systems (MERIT), led by the Manresa School of Engineering (EPSEM UPC) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), was unveiled. Sara Hortal, from the International Projects Unit at the EPSEM UPC and Executive Secretary of MERIT, was in charge of carrying out the project presentation.
The comprehensive focus on digitization within this event provided an ideal platform to introduce the Master’s program set to launch in 2024. Targeting specific sectors and addressing the needs of attendees, the presentation highlighted how MERIT contributes as a valuable training solution for both companies and public administrations.
