Siemens and UCF to Establish Big Data Collaboration

The University of Central Florida (UCF) and Siemens unveiled a new collaboration around smart infrastructure that builds on a more than 30-year relationship. The expanded partnership is aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of buildings and the energy grid by harnessing the power of data. The collaboration will include software and hardware to be installed at UCF’s Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab and will incorporate the existing Siemens’ Digital Grid Lab.

“We look forward to partnering with Siemens to help build and shape the smart cities of tomorrow,” said UCF president, Dale Whittaker. “Together, we will prepare our students to meet the data science workforce demands of the future and produce technology efficiencies and innovations in infrastructure and energy that will benefit our community and our nation for decades to come.”

Traditional building automation that integrates and controls a structure’s operations from HVAC, lighting and security to other systems, now also includes digital mechanisms to link these systems together, gather data and analyze operations to provide better decision-making for building operators. The concept of smart buildings continues to evolve with new technology and software.

Siemens will integrate its MindSphere cloud-based IoT operating system, Navigator building data analytics platform, Desigo CC building management station, and other building automation hardware into the Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab’s facilities and corresponding building automation management systems. Utilizing Siemens software platforms, students and faculty will learn how to conduct in-depth research on data analytics focused on building systems.