“smart house” as a variant

The future skills needed for

SUMMARYEarly identifi cation of skill needs

SummaryPublished by FreQueNz, 2013

Summary of study fi ndings

of the

“Smart house” and the “Internet of Things” in the early identification initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Bernd Dworschak, Helmut Zaiser, Lothar Abicht, Leif Brand

The main objective of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research's initiative for early identification of skill needs is to pinpoint the skills and qualifications required for the new skill requirements emerging from impending changes in the world of work and for which widespread demand may well grow over the next three to five years. For the purposes of the BMBF early identification initiative, employees with intermediate level skills are primarily those people in gainful employment who have completed vocational training in a nationally recognised occu-pation or school-based vocational training which is regulated at the state (Land) level as well as trained employees who have completed further training to the master craftsman or techni-cian level.

Three projects concerning future skill needs and the “Internet of Things”, which is one focus of the initiative, were completed in the fields of logistics, industrial production and “smart house”. The term “smart house” refers to residential, office and industri-al buildings which are equipped with technologies which enable buildings to be managed automatically or (semi)automatically and in which various building-specific application domains, such as building technology or security technology, communicate with each other. These buildings are able to economize far more effec-tively on energy use and can be made to accommodate the needs of older people and provide higher levels of security and comfort than can conventional buildings. Characteristic of “smart house” is the wide spectrum of companies, including traditional craft businesses, working in this field. For this reason one objective of the “smart house” project was to identify changed or new skill requirements for service-oriented companies in general.

While the three “Internet of Things” projects are presented in much greater detail in the FreQueNz publication series and in final report form at www.frequenz.net in German, this publication provides a summary of the findings of the “smart house” project in English. The study was undertaken jointly by isw Institute for Structural Policy and Economic Development and VDI TZ Future Technologies Consulting Department.

The “smart house” field of study may be regarded as one variant of the “Internet of Things” (IoT), for which there is at present no generally recognised definition. However, one way of conceptu-alising the IoT is in terms of technological convergence, com-puter networking and autonomy: In the IoT, objects which are integrated into the information network interact with each other and with control systems and other networks and, in this way, facilitate autonomous and intelligent process control. IoT is not, however, a discrete item of independent technology. On the con-trary, it actually depends on the development and convergence of numerous different kinds of technologies and, as such, on the evolving ability of these technologies to coalesce, become net-worked and to interact with each other to create autonomously functioning IoT systems - such as autonomous or automated buil-ding management. Technologies in the microsystem, material sciences, nanotechnology, optics/ photonics, human-machine interface, artificial intelligence and computer sciences fields will be of critical importance for the general ongoing development of the IoT.¹ IoT technologies which are especially relevant to “smart house” include radio-based or cable-linked data transmission as well as sensor and actor technology.

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house field

¹ On conceptual definitions and the technological underpinnings of IoT, refer to Brand, Leif et al.: Internet der Dinge. Übersichtsstudie, Zukünftige Technologien Nr. 80, published by Zukünftige Technologien Consulting der VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH, Düsseldorf, 2009.

02

During the course of the three IoT projects one issue emerged as being particularly relevant: the degree to which the already existing IoT technologies are actually applied or implemented in practice in each of the fields studied. In order to assess this degree of realisation the IoT project partners and the FreQueNz network office together produced an extended framework for explo-ring the nature of IoT which brings together “networking” and “autonomy” attributes with three development levels. Further levels may be added in the future. The following table shows how the “smart house” field of study fits into this framework:

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house field03

Development level

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Attribute

Networking

Bilateral networking:

Direct bilateral connection bet-

ween two objects

Local networks:

Networking of things in technically

or locally closed systems which

enable communication, control

or, as a minimum, read access;

e.g. close range wireless (such as

WLAN) or bus systems

Global networks:

Networking of things using open

systems, such as the Internet or

cellular networks. Things are as-

signed unique worldwide identities

(e.g. IP addresses, mobile telephone

numbers).

Autonomy

Not autonomous at all:

Objects/ technical systems are

passive. They include sensory

data, display such data or transfer

it without actually setting off any

actions.

Semi autonomous:

Objects/ technical systems are

equipped with their own indepen-

dent logic in addition to sensory

elements and can process sensory

data and initiate pre-programmed

actions.

Fully autonomous:

Objects/ technical systems are

equipped with comprehensive

logic, sensor and actor technology.

Fully autonomous systems tend

more and more to have “self-

perceptive” faculties. Their ability

to act independently is based on

“technical intelligence” and may

go far beyond purely algorithmi-

cally based decision-making and

action.

Development levels of the Internet of Things in the “smart house” field

In order to be able to take a more differentiated approach to this field of study, the “smart house” project studied six different application domains: Security technology, service robotics, consu-mer electronics, household appliances, facility management and building technology (i.e. energy and heating technology which are becoming increasingly easy to access via internet and radio-based channels). The degree to which the IoT has currently been realised and probably will be in the future in these six application domains is shown in the following diagram, which is based on the attributes and stages of development in the IoT framework described above.

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house field04

² Cf. Brand, Leif: „Internet der Dinge“ und „Smart House“. In: future technologies update, 02/09, published by Zukünftige Technologien Consulting der VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH, Düsseldorf, p. 11.

Figure 1: Degree of realisation of the Internet of Things in “smart house” application domains

Forecast in 10 years

Current status

Consumer electronics

Service robotics

Facility management

Security technologyBuilding technologyHousehold appliances

Service robotics

Household appliances

Building technologyFacility management

Consumer electronics

Security technology

Fully autonomous

Semi autonomous

Not autonomous at all

Bilateral networking Local network Global network

While a broad range of standalone, mature technologies are already commercially available, other “smart house” technolo-gies are still at the applied research stage. At present there is a pre-dominance of standalone solutions which are only very gra-dually being integrated into total building systems. In the future most continuous improvements can be expected in the applica-tion domains of facility management as well as building techno-logy and security technology in particular. However, owing inter alia to the long service lives of buildings and their components, building technology in particular will probably be slow to pene-trate markets.² In contrast, areas such as consumer electro-nics and the networking of home appliances may be expected to develop much faster.

“Smart house” trends and skill profiles Lothar Abicht, Sirkka Freigang, Henriette Freikamp, Leif Brand, Andreas Hoffknecht

“Smart house” technologies have a significant impact on skill needs at the intermediate skill level. There is, in particular, a discernible and consistent increase in the level of skill needs in the IT and electrical engineering fields as well as in commu-nications with customers. In the course of the project on future skill needs in the “smart house” field it became apparent that there is already a need for skills which cannot be fully covered at present. The project developed five skill profiles which may cover the relevant skill gaps in terms of skill requirements; i. e. the qualitative or content-related skill needs:

These skill profiles are made up of a reshuffled combination of skill requirements, which include requirements which are new or have been changed specifically from a smarthouse perspec-tive (refer also to the assignment of requirements areas to the skills profiles which is shown in table form at the end of this summary).

There are a number of technological trends which are of over-arching importance for the “smart house” field; five of the main trends are:

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house field05

1. System consultancy and sales

2. System integration

3. Remote maintenance and service

4. Direct smart house support

5. Domestic robotics service

• More and more products and technical systems are being integrated in IT networks in all “smart house” application domains.

• Buildings are becoming increasingly networked with numerous, building-specific data communication systems.

• There is a trend away from manufacturer specific communi- cation systems and towards standardised bus systems; in this context, “bus” refers to single bus cables which bundle signal channels together to transmit data signals.

• There is also a trend towards the merging of applications and system functionalities with the Internet or with cellular networks.

• Energy-saving measures are growing in importance. In this context there is a special role to be played by “smart metering”, i.e. the recording and visualisation of consumption data using “intelligent” digital electricity metres.

1. System consultancy and sales

The “system consultancy and sales” skill profi le is made up of a combination of skill requirements from the retail sector and from electronics. At the core of this profi le is communication with customers and the target group-oriented presentation of “smart house” applications.

These activities encompass needs analysis through to consultancy, product presentation and the combination of individual products into an integrated “smart house” system. Additional activities include the ongoing procurement of information, producing quo-tation documents and further coordination with specialist opera-tions which actually carry out the work.

A new quality of the “system consultancy and sales” profi le arises from the combination of the electronics and retail skill requirements which are needed to carry out this range of tasks.

This includes knowledge of automation technology, informati-on and telecommunications technology as well as presentation techniques, marketing, cost accounting, learning methods and English. In addition to the requisite social competence and ability to engage in self-paced learning this profi le also requires more advanced knowledge of building control and instrumentation technology. As well as the cross-craft sectors knowledge which is discussed in more detail in connection with the “system integ-ration” skills profi le, other areas of skill requirements which are essential for “smart house” consulting and sales include crea-tivity techniques and sales psychology (refer also to the table at the end of this summary for the areas of requirements for the skills profi les).

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house fi eld06

Figure 1: “System consultancy and sales” activity cluster

AdviceNeeds analysis

Presentation

Coordination

Information procurement

Planning/ConceptionPlanning/

Conception

Sales

MarketingMarketing

Activity clusterSystem consultancy and sales

2. System integration

The “system integration” skill profi le corresponds to a combi-nation of skill requirements from the electronics and IT fi elds. The focus of this profi le is the planning and implementation of system integration. This means that subsystems, such as audio systems, must be integrated in a higher-level building system and various “smart house” application domains networked with each other.

In this context technical documentation, briefi ng end custo-mers and the ongoing procurement of information in response to fast technological development tend to be secondary acti-vities. The main activities are technical special planning and conceptualisation, parametrisation, confi guration, integra-tion and programming of the “smart house” system as well as dealing with organisational tasks and coordinating skilled workers.

These activities are illustrative of the skill requirements in the fi eld of automation technology, which include knowledge of sensor, actor and control equipment technology. The trend towards the integration of products and subsystems in IT net-works in the building system results in advanced skill requi-rements in the fi eld of information and communications tech-nology. This increasing level of building networking translates into new requirements in the fi eld of building control and ins-trumentation technology. Because of the great variety of ways in which building control and management systems can be confi gured, high-level skills will almost certainly be required in this fi eld, including mastery of the compatible products and

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house fi eld07

equipment, as well as convergent interfaces, to each of the connected data communication systems.

Despite the increasing use of standardised systems it is still highly unlikely that “smart house” planning and implemen-tation will be possible in the foreseeable future without the programming and confi guration know-how needed for the required interfaces given that different systems can only be integrated in an overall system with interfaces which accom-modate different manufacturers' products and equipment. This means that the “smart house” fi eld requires a new skill: a cross-craft sectors understanding of the entire “smart house” system. At present activities which require such a cross-craft sectors understanding are undertaken by both employees with intermediate level skills and by engineers.

In addition to leadership skills and social competence, “smart house” system integration also requires skills in interface de-sign, system coding and data protection as well as in building law, architecture and design, “ambient assisted living (AAL)” and energy technology, including "smart metering".

Detailed planning/Conceptualisation/ Design Parametrisation/

Confi guration

Programmning interfaces

Integration of operation panels

Documentation and briefi ng Coordination/

Control

Documentation

Information procurement

Consider legal aspects

System integration activity cluster

Figure 2: “System integration” activity cluster

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house fi eld08

3. Remote maintenance and service

A key feature of the “remote maintenance and service” skill profi le is its link to the trend towards the merging of applica-tions and of product and system functionalities with the Internet or cellular networks which enable users and authorised third parties to remotely control domestic systems. This gives rise to new skill requirements in the fi eld of remote maintenance with the “remote maintenance and service” skill profi le representing a combination of electronics and IT requirements.

The key activities in this context are remote maintenance and remote diagnostics. Other activities include information and data management and the coordination of on-site repair deployments.

As with system integration, these activities represent skill requirements in the fi elds of automation technology, building control and instrumentation technology and information and telecommunications technology and call for a cross-craft sectors understanding of the entire “smart house” system. Other requirements relate to knowledge of diagnosis and tes-ting procedures as well as data protection and system coding. Customer support and the handling of customer data require communication skills and professionalism.

Remote diagnostics

Remote maintenance

Information and data managementCustomer support

Coordination of on-site repair deployments

Remote maintenance and service activity cluster

Figure 3: “Remote maintenance and service” activity cluster

4. Direct smart house support

The “direct smart house support” skill profi le relates to techni-cal building management and complements the current building superintendant activity profi le with skills from the fi eld of electro-nics/ electrical engineering

Activities include controlling technical equipment, managing incoming data, carrying out smaller repairs and servicing and carrying out maintenance on technical equipment. One special activity involves coordinating and organising all incoming inqui-ries from tenants, customers, suppliers, etc., whereby tasks which need doing can be created, concluded and documented using mobile terminal equipment (such as a PDA).

In addition to craft and communication skills, the activity clus-ter also represents skillrequirements in the fi eld of data ma-nagement. The control and servicing of technical equipment in particular call for a certain cross-craft sectors understanding of all the “smart house” components in the energy, automation and building control system fi elds as well as of information and telecommunications technology. In addition, legal knowledge, in terms of safety regulations or contractual arrangements is also of growing importance.

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house fi eld09

5. Domestic robotics service

The “domestic robotics service” skill profi le relates not only to corresponding consulting and repair work, but also to the (remote) maintenance, confi guration and commissioning of in-spection, monitoring and transport robots as well as domestic assistance robots.

In addition to product knowledge, the performance of these activities calls for skills in mechatronics, programming and in-formation and communications technology. One of the new skill requirements in this profi le is mastery of intelligent camera technology. As increasing market penetration means it is no longer possible, for example, to network robots with building services on a large scale by just using higher qualifi ed workers, this development also places requirements on employees with intermediate level skills.

Control of all technical systems

Data management

Commissioning, maintenance, repairs

Organisation and information

Coordination and order management

Direct smart house support activity cluster

Figure 4: “Direct smart house support” activity cluster

The following table summarises the requirements covered by the “smart house” skill profiles:

Requirements covered by the “smart house” skill profiles

Profile 1

System consul-

tancy and sales

Profile 2

System integration

Profile 3

Remote mainten-

ance and service

Profile 4

Direct smart

house support

Profile 5

Domestic

robotics service

Information and telecommunications

technology• ­• • • •

Building control and instrumentation

technology• • • •

Automation technology • • • •

Energy technology/ Smart metering • •

Data coding • •

Cross-craft sectors knowledge • • • •

Communication skills • • •

Sales psychology •

Presentation techniques •

Marketing •

Cost accounting •

English • • •

Learning methods • • • •

Creativity techniques and imagination • •

Interface design •

Building law •

Architecture and design •

Ambient assisted living •

Leadership and social skills •

Diagnosis and test methods •

Practical trade/ craft skills •

Data management •

Legal provisions •

Product knowledge • • • • •

Mechatronics •

Intelligent camera technology •

Programming •

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house field10

FreQueNz Summary The Internet of Things in the smart house field11

Further information

Final report » Trendqualifikationen im „Smart House“» http://www.frequenz.net/uploads/tx_freqprojerg/Abschlussbericht_IdD_im_Smart_House_final.pdf

Newsletter» Trend-setting “smart house” skills» http://www.frequenz.net/uploads/tx_freqprojerg/frequenz_newsletter2010_e_final.pdf

» Current trends and developments in the “smart house” field» http://www.frequenz.net/uploads/tx_freqprojerg/newsletter_2011_englisch_final.pdf

Flyer» http://www.frequenz.net/uploads/tx_freqprojerg/Q_Flyer_ISW_web_251109.pdf

Books» Qualifikationsentwicklungen durch das Internet der Dinge. Trends in Logistik, Industrie und „Smart House“. FreQueNz publication series, W. Bertelsmann Verlag, 2012

Newsletters, books and flyerscan be ordered from bernd.dworschak@iao.fraunhofer.de

@

www.frequenz.netProject sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

as part of the initiative on early identification of skill needs

isw Institute for Structural Policy and Economic Development gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mbH

Heinrich-Heine-Straße 10D-06114 Halle / Saale

Prof. Dr. Lothar Abicht Phone +49 (0)345/ 52 13 60 Fax +49 (0)345 / 51 70 706 E-mail abicht@isw-institut.de

Henriette Freikamp Phone +49 (0)345/ 29 98 28 12 E-mail freikamp@isw-institut.de

Sirkka Freigang Telefon +49 (0)30 / 42 02 47 25 E-mail freigang@isw-institut.de

Internet www.isw-institut.de

VDI TZ, Future Technologies Consulting Department

VDI-Platz 1D-40468 Düsseldorf

Dr. Andreas Hoffknecht Phone +49 (0)211/ 62 14 456 Fax +49 (0)211/ 62 14 139 E-mail hoffknecht@vdi.de

Dr. Leif Brand Phone +49 (0)211/ 62 14 516 E-mail brand@vdi.de

Internet www. zt-consulting.de

Contacts