The idea of applying semantic web technologies to the area of smart homes (SH) and building automation has resulted in a number of research activities and initiatives that have been recently developed. This article starts with an overview of ongoing work towards embedding semantics into home automation services. We then highlight the problems not considered by previous solutions. The core value of the work presented here is contained in a novel goal-driven approach for building automation service allocation and control. A new concept of semantic homes (SeH) and its architectural vision is another significant contribution. The comparison between existing and suggested solutions is rounded off by a use case scenario from the area of ambient assisted living.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has had considerable impacts on research projects, particularly those adopting participatory approaches. This paper reflects on the methodological adaptations the The EU-funded H2020 research project TRIPS employed to facilitate co-design and open innovation practices towards developing accessible mobility solutions. The paper reports how the methods were adapted to facilitate participatory research without physical meetings. In doing so, the paper presents the alternatives to engage persons with disabilities and institutional stakeholders in the transport ecosystem, e.g., online workshops, social media content analysis, online surveys, and peer-to-peer telephone interviews. Finally, lessons learned for participatory research are presented, and guidelines for increasing the resilience of research designs in light of future changes are discussed

Background: This paper presents the development of a multi-dimensional mobility divide index (MDI) for assessing the accessibility of public transport developed using a co-design approach, directly involving end-users in the index design process. The index measures the gap that persons with disabilities feel they need to over-come to use public transport in the same way non-disabled citizens do. The MDI covers six accessibility-related dimensions: 1) safety, 2) convenience, 3) comfort, 4) affordability, 5) travel time, and 6) autonomy. Methods: The method paper describes the step-by-step approach to create the MDI as a set of indicators to be rated by people with different access needs to 1) provide evidence of the main criticalities to be addressed through the design and implementation of new inclusive mobility solutions, 2) guide the design of new inclusive mobility solutions and measure their impacts, and 3) inform the transport sector encouraging positive changes in transport by providing recommendations for policy-making, new directions for service innovation, improvements and practical advice or highlighting investment priorities to pave the way for a more inclusive mobility. Results: We present our findings in ways that can inform universal design and provide actionable information to researchers, policymakers, transport and urban planners, operators, and stakeholders’ representatives to promote inclusive and equitable mobility solutions for all. Conclusions: Finally, we suggest follow up research and innovation, as well as recommendations for its uptake and utilisation in the pursuit of European accessibility standards and requirements for products and services in the mobility sector.

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and big data has catalyzed the emergence of data markets. Regulatory and technological frameworks such as International Data Spaces (IDS) have been developed to facilitate secure data exchange while integrating security and data sovereignty aspects required by laws and regulations, such as the GDPR and NIS2. Recently, novel attack vectors have taken a toll on many enterprises, causing significant damage despite the deployed security mechanisms. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the IDS may be just as susceptible. In this paper, we conduct a STRIDE threat analysis on IDS to assess its susceptibility to traditional and emerging cybersecurity threats. Specifically, we evaluate novel threats such as Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, compromised end-user devices, SIM swapping, and potential backdoors in commonly used open-source software. Our analysis identifies multiple vulnerabilities, particularly at the trust boundary (TB) between users and the IDS system. These include the traditionally troublesome Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, key management weaknesses, and the mentioned novel threats. We discuss the hacking techniques, tools, and associated risks to the IDS framework, followed by targeted mitigation strategies and recommendations. This paper provides a framework for performing a STRIDE-based threat analysis of the IDS. Using the proposed methodology, we identified the most potent threats and suggested solutions, thus contributing to the development of a safer and more resilient data space architecture.

Schweizerische Städte rechnen mit Bevölkerungszuwachs zwischen 10–25 % bis zum Jahr 2030. Aufgrund des Platzmangels sind in der Schweiz nur ökologie-bewusste Verdichtungen möglich. Der demografische Wandel ist ein anderer spürbarer Trend. Babyboomers kommen in das Pensionsalter und die Lebenserwartung steigt kontinuierlich weiter bei gleichbleibender Zahl des Pflegepersonals und der Pflegeeinrichtungen. Somit wird die Bevölkerung länger in den eigenen vier Wänden leben, wobei wachsende Ansprüche an Individualität und Selbstbestimmung auch im hohen Alter hinzukommen. Um diesen Herausforderungen gerecht zu werden und gleichzeitig umweltschonend mit natürlichen Ressourcen umzugehen, sind neue Lösungen für intelligentes Wohnen gefragt. Die Miniaturisierung und das Downscaling als Basis unserer technologischen Entwicklungen heute ermöglicht die nahtlose Integration von Sensoren, Aktoren, Steuerungskomponenten und mikroelektronischen Systemen in smarte Subsysteme, Komponenten und Geräte. Zugleich ermöglichen neue Ansätze des Web 3.0 die Verknüpfung und die Zusammenarbeit verteilter Systeme und Unterkomponenten, die aktiv oder sogar proaktiv Umgebungen gestalten können. Ermöglicht durch diese Gebäudeautomatisierung, sind einerseits geschickte und flexible Aufteilung und Nutzung von Räumen und anderseits energie-effiziente Regelungen ohne Komforteinbußen in Häusern der Zukunft realisierbar. Erfassung der Gewohnheiten eines Benutzers, sowie auf dem Internet der Dinge basierten intelligenten Verknüpfung von Daten aus verschiedenen Lebensbereichen außerhalb eines Gebäudes soll Lebensqualität in Zukunft weiter erhöhen. Diese neuen, smarten Systeme sollten als Anforderung an eine Gestaltung einer Stadt der Zukunft dabei jedoch einen mehrfachen Mehrwert erzielen: sie sollten in der Lage sein, sowohl zur Intensivierung der Human–Building-Interaction, zur Erhaltung und Förderung von Mobilität, zur Senkung des Energieverbrauchs als auch zur Senkung der Kosten zur Gesunderhaltung beizutragen. Swiss cities expect population increase between 10–25 % by the year 2030. Due to lack of space only ecology-conscious construction sides are yet possible in Switzerland. Demographic change is another noticeable trend. The baby boomers start to enter the retirement age now and life expectancy continues to increase while a number of nurses and nursing facilities remains nearly constant. Thus, the population will live longer in their own homes, with growing demands for individuality and self-determination even in high age. To meet these challenges while to be an environmentally friendly with natural resources use, new solutions for intelligent living are required. Miniaturization and downscaling as the basis of our technological developments now allows seamless integration of sensors, actuators, control components and microelectronic systems in smart subsystems, components and devices. At the same time, new approaches of Web 3.0 allow to link and orchestrate the distributed systems and sub-components in such a way that environments can become active or even proactive. Optimal and flexible usage of shared spaces as well as energy-efficient control strategies are becoming possible by the implemented building automation without sacrificing comfort in future homes. Gathering the habits of a user, and intelligent combination of data from different life activities outside of a building are designed to enhance the quality of life in the future. The new based on the Internet of Things smart systems should achieve multiple added values: they should be able both to intensify the Human Building Interaction, promote mobility while reducing energy consumption as well as helping to reduce the costs for maintaining good health. These new smart systems must be used as a design requirements for the cities of future.