Experimenting Acoustics in Real environments using Innovative Test-beds

Audio sensors are cheap and often easy to deploy and, with the growing power of processing and networking capabilities it is possible to exploit audio data for a broad range of applications. The untapped value of audio data is still to be revealed but key partner in this project are already working on energy efficiency and traffic monitoring applications, just to mention few. There is thus great potential for RTD on intelligent (acoustic) solutions based on acoustical sensor networks to support a myriad set of applications of high (social, business, etc.) value. On the other hand, there exist now large-scale innovative test-beds to support experimentally-driven research on ‘real-life’ environments – the FIRE facilities! These facilities (notably here, SmartSantander and HobNet) have an installed base of sensors, networked altogether, capable of supporting some advanced research in intelligent acoustics solutions.This leads to the idea of “Ears on FIRE” directed at Experimenting Acoustics in Real environments using Innovative Test-beds (EAR-IT) by realising some distributed intelligence powered by acoustics.

To explore, validate and confirm the RTD possibilities of using audio data both in indoor and outdoor environments, this project will use then use nice test-bed capabilities of the HobNet project for indoor environment and related application such as energy efficiency, as well as the capability of the SmartSantander project for large-scale outdoor but also indoor environments where applications can be useful in a smart city environment. The objectives will be both to validate main research lines but also to deliver new innovative range of services and applications targeting (but not limited) to smart-buildings and smart-cities.