Strasbourg Eurometropole: a smart, connected city

The development of smart cities relies on the Internet of Things. Connected objects enable automated, intelligent responses to a wide range of needs. "To achieve this, we need to implement networks that can connect objects over long distances. The LoRa system is a suitable technology, which is currently being tested in several cities, including the Strasbourg Eurometropole," explains Guillaume Schreiner, a researcher at Strasbourg's ICube laboratory. This is the focus of a major project within this research unit, which is also at the heart of the skills and training themes of engineers at Télécom Physique Strasbourg and the Institut Carnot Télécom Société Numérique.

The range of a LoRa antenna can reach up to 15 kilometers, making it relatively easy to achieve network coverage across the whole of metropolitan France. By comparison, wifi networks have a range of just a few dozen meters. What's more, the LoRa network consumes very little energy, making it ideal for long-life applications.

"The automatic management of several types of device by a common network infrastructure enables economies of scale , as it avoids the need for entire systems to be developed separately for each type of object", continues the researcher. The ICube laboratory collaborated with startup Strataggem to build and deploy the first LoRa antennas in Strasbourg. Each partner has deployed antennas that are pooled and used by the whole network to develop their interconnection. "The more players use LoRa antennas, the more efficient the network is at connecting different types of objects. So it's a collective approach that best benefits the whole system," says Manuel Yguel, co-founder of startup Strataggem.

The LoRa network can be used to connect different types of devices for a variety of purposes, including security, improved energy management and pollution control. Objects currently being tested include, for example, trackers on bicycles to locate them in the event of theft, sensors for intelligent management of public lighting, air quality sensors and devices for measuring water or electricity consumption.

A connected city for everyone

"The system we're setting up enables different players - whether public, private or even individual initiatives - to test objects on the network free of charge," explains Guillaume Schreiner. " This allows us to extend the development of the network and its potential uses in a participatory way," he continues. The ICube laboratory is itself involved in setting up various experiments and supporting university initiatives.

The laboratory also conducts research into network operation, as the network must be capable of supporting and coordinating a large number of devices, which implies extremely meticulous management. " Right from the start, we set up supervision and metrology tools that record traffic to assess whether there are any risks of interference or malfunctions," explains Guillaume Schreiner. The implementation of LoRa antennas has been accompanied by the development of a digital platform for collecting and analyzing data from the various experimental devices, which remain confidential. This makes it possible, for example, to identify devices that cause too much interference, so that they can be partitioned off, or to adapt the transmitting power of objects according to their proximity to the antennas. The use of this data by data scientists also aims to understand how different types of objects can best interact and complement each other across a territory.

The Strataggem startup and the ICube laboratory have also collaborated in the development of this platform. The LoRa network aims not only to cross-fertilize the use of different types of connected objects, but also to centralize the data generated by these objects in order to analyze and optimize their management on a regional scale.

Engineering projects carried out by students from Télécom Physique Strasbourg (IT & Networks stream) and Strataggem have focused on the control of low-energy consumption connected objects. " When players implement a device on the network, they have access to a dashboard that enables them to retrieve data on its operation," explains Manuel Yguel. " The data belongs to the users, who can share it if they wish," he adds.

Project support from the metropolis

Eurométropole de Strasbourg offers a range of services to support the development of the network. "We want to offer a catalog of services at local level to partners in the field of the Internet of Things. This will stimulate the local ecosystem around the Internet of Things," explains Jean Melounou, innovation project manager at Eurométropole de Strasbourg.

To facilitate the development of these projects, the Eurométropole de Strasbourg also supports experiments carried out on the network. "Our elected representatives define our policy and the themes on which innovation efforts should be focused. These efforts find concrete expression in the provision of resources such as the LoRa network, or in calls for projects to which public or private players respond, and which we support," explains Jean Melounou.

Support takes the form of events and educational and IT support to help people understand how these new technologies work, which can be difficult to master. The Eurometropole also facilitates the deployment of bridges between the various players so that they can carry out experiments on a territorial scale, and also helps to answer the legal questions associated with the development of a service.

The fact that the Strasbourg Eurometropole is so far ahead in its drive to become a connected city is partly due to the partnership that has been set up with the ICube laboratory. " From the outset, the partnership has been based on an exchange of best practices and advice, as well as the organization of various events to stimulate the deployment of the network," explains Jean Melounou. The laboratory, the city and the start-up have worked closely together to develop the antennas, the network and the platform.

"Other cities and universities are developing similar approaches, and we have a collaborative project with other academic partners called the LoRa Alliance," concludes Guillaume Schreiner.