Autonomy+Stormwater

Adaptive management through wireless tech and real-time control

In the era of self-driving cars, digital assistants, and other smart things, can the same level of autonomy and “intelligence” be embedded in water systems? These technologies have the potential to dramatically reshape adaptation to some of the greatest water challenges, such as floods and droughts. Software-updatable water systems are well within reach, promising to enable highly cost-effective stormwater infrastructure that dynamically redesigns itself in response to changing needs and uncertain inputs. We’re building the hardware, firmware, software, and literal nuts and bolts to make this happen across our testbeds and collaborations.  

Fundamental Advances: Control algorithm synthesis, of dynamical systems analysis, reinforcement learning

Impacts: public safety, environmental health, massive savings by using existing infrastructure instead of needing to building more, open-source software tools and hardware

Communities: Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Toledo, Detroit