Applications and use cases

The ALERT research project provides key technologies for self-powered, AI-supported wireless sensors used across various industrial sectors.
The goal is to enable reliable condition monitoring even with minimal energy supply – without wiring, without battery replacement, and with minimal installation effort.

A primary application area is the condition monitoring of machines and industrial equipment. By combining precise sensing, edge AI, and energy harvesting, critical changes – such as unusual vibrations or acoustic anomalies – can be detected at an early stage. This enables targeted maintenance before costly failures occur.

In addition to condition monitoring, ALERT also offers significant potential for process optimization. By analyzing operational data in real time directly on the sensor, control processes can be adjusted and energy flows optimized. This is particularly relevant in production environments with fluctuating loads or variable energy supply.

ALERT sensors can also be used for the monitoring of infrastructure structures, such as bridges, conveyor systems, or energy supply networks. Their energy-autonomous design enables operation in hard-to-reach locations without the need for regular maintenance visits.

The use cases of ALERT demonstrate the versatility of the system: from heavy industry and infrastructure to food production – the combination of edge AI, energy harvesting, and adaptive wireless communication enables durable, robust, and maintenance-free monitoring solutions.

For technical details about the implemented solutions, please visit the Technologies page.

For further inquiries about the ALERT project, please contact:
Dr.-Ing. Peter Spies, Fraunhofer IIS, Group Leader Integrated Energy Supplies.