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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The German Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT has launched the "lokalRAIN" research project in collaboration with Pan Acoustics GmbH from Wolfenbüttel. The goal of the project is to develop an acoustic rain sensor and a cost-efficient sensor network for the precise real-time detection and transmission of precipitation data. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and runs from October 2024 to June 2026.
Accurately measuring precipitation remains a major challenge, as reliable rainfall data is only available for selected locations equipped with weather stations. This data gap results in inaccurate weather forecasts and makes it difficult to respond swiftly and effectively to extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall. To mitigate the impact of flash floods caused by intense precipitation, municipalities, urban planners, and disaster management teams need precise and comprehensive precipitation data. This enables targeted planning and monitoring of flood-prone areas.
+++ Developing an Acoustic Real-Time Rainfall Measurement System +++
The research partners in the "lokalRAIN" project aim to tackle these challenges by developing an acoustic rain measurement system for surface applications. The core idea is to capture the acoustic vibrations generated when raindrops impact surfaces using vibration sensors and analyze them in real-time with machine learning and deep learning techniques.
Building on this concept, researchers will develop a novel sensor system for detecting and analyzing spatially distributed rainfall using photovoltaic modules as a test platform. This involves not only designing efficient machine learning technologies but also developing cost- and energy-optimized computational hardware for sensor applications.
Another critical aspect is the reliable transmission of precipitation data from individual sensor nodes via connected infrastructures to a central server. On the server, the data is aggregated and analyzed in real-time based on precipitation parameters such as quantity, drop size, and spatial distribution to improve forecasting capabilities.
+++ Application Areas of lokalRAIN +++
Jakob Bergner, project manager at Fraunhofer IDMT, highlights some key applications of lokalRAIN: "By collecting precipitation data across large areas, weather services can develop more accurate forecast models. In cases of extreme rainfall, real-time precipitation data can help disaster management teams plan emergency response measures effectively. Insurance companies can access detailed risk assessment information, while agricultural businesses can optimize their irrigation strategies, improving efficiency and conserving resources."
+++ Contributions of the Project Partners +++
Fraunhofer IDMT is responsible for detecting precipitation events acoustically. By applying signal processing and machine learning techniques, researchers analyze the interaction between the vibrations caused by raindrops and the amount, intensity, and composition of precipitation.
Additionally, appropriate acoustic sensor concepts are being developed to enable integrated processing and analysis of recorded acoustic signals. The networking of individual sensor nodes will allow precise real-time assessments of local precipitation data.
Pan Acoustics GmbH is responsible for developing the sensor node hardware and wireless data transmission technology.
+++ About Fraunhofer IDMT+++
At the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT, experts work on the secure and efficient AI-based detection and classification of audio and video data. Among other applications, the institute develops acoustic sensor technologies for accurately capturing and analyzing sounds. These technologies enable automated acoustic monitoring for various applications, including environmental events, production processes, biodiversity, marine technology, logistics, construction, and transportation. The goal is to create intelligent sensor concepts that automatically adapt to different measurement environments while delivering high-quality data with minimal measurement effort.
+++ About Pan Acoustics GmbH +++
Pan Acoustics GmbH, based in Wolfenbüttel, has been developing and manufacturing high-quality loudspeaker systems for more than 20 years, catering to applications in public address, conference technology, and media technology. The company focuses on sound quality, intelligent technology, and sustainable production. Customers worldwide in the cultural, educational, industrial, and public sectors rely on Pan Acoustics' solutions.
Jakob Bergner jakob.bergner@idmt.fraunhofer.de
https://www.idmt.fraunhofer.de/de/Press_and_Media/press_releases/2025/akustische... release 20250402 Pressemeldung auf der Webseite des Fraunhofer IDMT
Several photovoltaic modules are connected through sensor nodes. Data is sent to a server for analys ...
Stefanie Theiß
Fraunhofer IDMT
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Several photovoltaic modules are connected through sensor nodes. Data is sent to a server for analys ...
Stefanie Theiß
Fraunhofer IDMT
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