ThinkThings 2021: Ode to innovation thanks to co-creation

Each year, Proximus brings together experts and users from various companies at the ThinkThings event. During the 2021 edition, customers, partners and experts showed how co-creation allows them to exploit the potential of IoT, analytics, 5G, AI and smart working fully.

"The way we live, work and relax is changing at lightning speed. That brings with it new challenges, which you don't have to face alone. By developing projects together, you significantly increase the chances of success," explains Alex Lorette, Director Enterprise Solutions & Platforms at Proximus and who was accompanied by a remarkable guest. "The robotic dog Spot illustrates like no other the interaction between man and machine. With the help of the human brain, he manages to realize his potential fully."

Geertrui Mieke De Ketelaere, imec

AI and Humans

As Director AI at the imec research center, Geertrui Mieke De Ketelaere follows the developments in the field of AI from the front row. She still sees a significant role for humans within the rollout of AI applications. The expert advocates an approach from the perspective ‘people, planet and profit’. "The implementation of AI goes beyond the technology alone.

It has an impact on existing processes and requires the necessary human knowledge. We also need to consider the sustainability component of new AI solutions. In addition, there is a need for new laws and regulations that outline how we deal with AI and who is allowed to use it."

Data Analytics and IoT

Data analytics and IoT are proving their great value within our society in numerous ways. For example, monitoring the number of shop visitors - an application of What The Shop, supported by Proximus - in times of the Covid pandemic contributes to a safe shopping environment. The Walloon tourist sites Villers-la-Ville and Lac de l'Eau d'Heure are using data analysis based on the Proximus network to generate valuable visitor information.

François-Xavier Lenne, speaking on behalf of Minister Valérie De Bue: "To approach the right tourists in the right way, it is important to know and understand them well. Where did they come from? What is their economic profile? How much do they spend on our sites? A data project like that fits seamlessly with our digital ambitions."

Alex Lorette, Director Enterprise Solutions & Platforms at Proximus

Combining Knowledge

Several hubs unite partners around co-creation and thus offer the opportunity to develop, test and refine projects together. The 5G consortium A6K recently opened the first 5G laboratory in Wallonia while POM East Flanders and Fabriek Logistiek are bringing logistical knowledge together. Both are projects that originated from the 5G innovation platform set up by Proximus.

Co-creation also takes AI applications to the next level. With the Aug∙e smart building project, BESIX, Proximus and i.Leco are innovating in the construction sector. Using IoT sensors, the platform connects the physical building to a series of digital applications, allowing the user to monitor and optimize energy consumption. The institute for agricultural, fisheries and food research (ILVO) has joined forces with farmers, educational and research institutions, and technology specialists such as Proximus to detect crop diseases in the agricultural sector on time using drones, AI and 5G.

The power of connected devices, the cloud and connectivity come together in how Schréder adjusts the lighting strength in the Bois de la Chambre to real time conditions such as weather and traffic. In this way, towns and cities can save energy and reduce light pollution without compromising safety.