The 3DxVERSE Project, funded under the DIGITAL-2023-CLOUD-AI-04-DEVELOPCITI Programme, held its kick-off meeting on 11-12 December at the ERTICO offices in Brussels, where consortium members will gather to exchange views and set their expectations for the project.
The objective of 3DxVERSE is to revolutionise urban mobility and living by emphasising sustainable, smart, and eco-friendly solutions. It converges with several key objectives of the European Commission (EC) and the Digital Europe program, focusing on innovative technology integration and sustainable urban development. ERTICO-ITS Europe is project coordination.
“Revolutionising urban mobility and living through sustainable, smart, and eco-friendly solutions, the 3DxVERSE project aligns with the European Commission’s vision for the EU’s Local Digital Toolbox, digital transformation and sustainable urban development,” said Dr. Eusebiu Catana, the project coordinator.
3DXVERSE project is committed to fostering an open, transparent, and collaborative approach to urban innovation. At the core of our project’s philosophy is the open-source nature of its outcomes. Our open-source approach enables cities, urban planners, developers, researchers, and citizens to freely access, modify, and distribute the project’s deliverables, fostering innovation and collaboration across the global community.
“By fostering an open-source approach, the 3DxVERSE project empowers cities, urban planners, and citizens to innovate collaboratively, making urban solutions globally accessible and enhancing sustainable living,” continued Dr. Eusebiu Catana
3DxVERSE project will develop seven pillars consisting of technological, co-creation, and policy tools focusing on innovative technology integration and sustainable urban development as follows:
Integrated Digital Twin Ecosystems: this aspect involves creating interconnected digital replicas of physical assets, processes, or systems. The 3DxVERSE project leverages digital twin technology for detailed simulation and analysis of urban environments. This aligns with the EC’s drive for digital transformation and the Digital Europe program’s focus on deploying digital technologies for societal benefits.
Advanced AI and XR/VR Integration: 3DxVERSE includes the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for predictive analytics and Extended Reality (Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, XR/VR) for immersive experiences. These technologies are essential in enhancing operational efficiency, citizen engagement, and training. This integration corresponds with the EC’s Digital Innovation Hubs initiative, which promotes the adoption of digital technologies in various sectors. 3DxVERSE will deploy the latest 3D Digital Twins technology as well as leveraging the latest development in the XR/VR digital twin and their recently initiated “Living Digital Twin” community and latest showcases.
For the Airport use case, we will be leveraging the latest development related to the first real-time digital twin for airports. This enables the staff of the airport to have a bird-eye view of the airport operations. It builds a first-to-market real-time measurement model to visually track and analyse aircraft carbon emissions from landing to take off. By measuring GHG emissions in real-time, it can now better support its own climate goals, as well as those of its carrier partners.
Sustainable and Smart Mobility: addressing the urgent need for climate action, the proposal’s focus on sustainable mobility solutions directly supports the European Green Deal’s ambition of transforming the EU into a modern, resource-efficient economy.
Community-Centric Innovation: emphasizing local community engagement in digital innovation ensures the solutions developed are responsive to specific local needs. This approach aligns with the EU’s New European Bauhaus initiative, which aims to combine sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusivity in the European Green Deal.
Legal and Ethical Framework: developing a framework that ensures ethical use of technology and data privacy aligns with the EC’s focus on digital rights and principles as outlined in Europe’s Digital Decade targets for 2030.
Global Standards and Collaboration: collaborating to establish global standards for digital twins aligns with the EC’s International Digital Cooperation strategy, aiming to shape global interactions in the digital economy and promote EU standards and values.
Align with EU values and laws, including the declaration on European Digital Rights and Principles, ensuring that the project contributes to a fair, inclusive, and transparent digital future.
Global Standards and Collaboration: collaborate with international partners to establish global standards for digital twins, facilitating cross-border interoperability and knowledge exchange.
Leverage international expertise to enhance the project’s impact and scalability, with a view to contributing to the global digital infrastructure and the European Commission Common Assessment Method for Standards and Specifications (CAMSS).
“3DxVERSE’s integration of advanced technologies like AI, XR/VR, and digital twins not only enhances urban operations but also supports the EU’s Green Deal and Digital Europe goals, promoting a resource-efficient and digitally empowered society.” closed Dr. Catana
Facts and figures about 3DxVERSE
- Duration: 30 months
- Starting date: 1 December 2024
- End date: 31 May 2027
- Number of partners: 10
