Download PDF
IoT in Defence Education: A Case Study of Cranfield University
Applicable Industries
- Education
- National Security & Defense
Use Cases
- Smart Campus
The Challenge
Cranfield University at the Defence College of Management and Technology (DCMT) within the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, formerly known as the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS), is tasked with educating the armed forces in defence related technology. A significant part of this education involves the study and understanding of weapons effects. This is a complex field that involves highly dynamic phenomena, requiring both theoretical and practical understanding. Numerical simulations are used to provide insight into these phenomena, complementing experimental studies and demonstrations. However, the challenge lies in enhancing student understanding of numerical analysis techniques and applying these techniques to a range of applications.
About The Customer
The customer in this case study is Cranfield University at the Defence College of Management and Technology (DCMT) within the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Formerly known as the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS), this institution is responsible for educating the armed forces in defence related technology. This involves teaching a wide range of subjects, including the effects of weapons, the dynamics of armour and projectile materials, and the impact of mines on vehicles. The university uses a combination of theoretical teaching, practical demonstrations, and numerical simulations to provide a comprehensive education in defence technology.
The Solution
To address this challenge, Cranfield University has been using AUTODYN, a numerical simulation software, for over 15 years. This software has been instrumental in enhancing student understanding of numerical analysis techniques. It has been used in a variety of applications, providing students with a practical understanding of the theoretical concepts they learn. Some of the applications include studying the effects of small arms bullets on existing and prospective armour systems, analysing the loading on vehicles caused by mines and the subsequent vehicle response, modelling the dynamic response of armour and projectile materials, and understanding the formation of explosively formed projectiles and shaped charges. By using AUTODYN, students are able to gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics involved in defence technology.
Operational Impact
Related Case Studies.
Case Study
Data Capture for Afghanistan Forces
Electronic equipments on the field of Afghanistan provided information on the status of the vehicle and to identify potential threats surrounding it to the British Force. The monitoring and interpretation of this data requires robust and sophisticated digitization for data capture and communication.
Case Study
IoT platform Enables Safety Solutions for U.S. School Districts
Designed to alert drivers when schoolchildren are present, especially in low-visibility conditions, school-zone flasher signals are typically updated manually at each school. The switching is based on the school calendar and manually changed when an unexpected early dismissal occurs, as in the case of a weather-event altering the normal schedule. The process to reprogram the flashers requires a significant effort by school district personnel to implement due to the large number of warning flashers installed across an entire school district.
Case Study
Revolutionizing Medical Training in India: GSL Smart Lab and the LAP Mentor
The GSL SMART Lab, a collective effort of the GSL College of Medicine and the GSL College of Nursing and Health Science, was facing a challenge in providing superior training to healthcare professionals. As clinical medicine was becoming more focused on patient safety and quality of care, the need for medical simulation to bridge the educational gap between the classroom and the clinical environment was becoming increasingly apparent. Dr. Sandeep Ganni, the director of the GSL SMART Lab, envisioned a world-class surgical and medical training center where physicians and healthcare professionals could learn skills through simulation training. He was looking for different simulators for different specialties to provide both basic and advanced simulation training. For laparoscopic surgery, he was interested in a high fidelity simulator that could provide basic surgical and suturing skills training for international accreditation as well as specific hands-on training in complex laparoscopic procedures for practicing physicians in India.
Case Study
Major Aerospace Company Automates Asset Management
The O&M division of an aerospace and global security company was using spreadsheets to manually track more than 3,000 assets assigned to students and staff. Maintaining audit trails for this high volume of equipment became increasingly time-consuming and challenging. The chore involved knowing precisely what equipment was on hand, what had been issued, its location and the name of the custodial owner of each item. Every aspect of this task was carried owner of each item. Every aspect of this task was carried out by individuals with spreadsheets. Manually documenting the full lifecycle of each asset added to the burden. This included tracking maintenance requirements and records, incidents and damages, repairs, calibrations, depreciation, and end-of-life data.
Case Study
Implementing Robotic Surgery Training Simulator for Enhanced Surgical Proficiency
Fundacio Puigvert, a leading European medical center specializing in Urology, Nephrology, and Andrology, faced a significant challenge in training its surgical residents. The institution recognized the need for a more standardized and comprehensive training curriculum, particularly in the area of robotic surgery. The challenge was underscored by two independent studies showing that less than 5% of residents in Italian and German residency programs could perform major or complex procedures by the end of their residency. The institution sought to establish a virtual reality simulation lab that would include endourological, laparoscopic, and robotic platforms. However, they needed a simulator that could replicate both the hardware and software of the robotic Da Vinci console used in the operating room, without being connected to the actual physical console. They also required a system that could provide both basic and advanced simulation training, and a metrics system to assess the proficiency of the trainees before they performed surgical procedures in the operating theater.
Case Study
Edinburgh Napier University streamlines long-distance learning with Cisco WebEX
• Geographically dispersed campus made in-person meetings costly and inconvenient.• Distance-learning programs in Malaysia, India, and China required dependable, user-friendly online tools to maximize interaction in collaborative workspaces.• Virtual learning environment required a separate sign-in process, resulting in a significant administrative burden for IT staff and limited adoption of collaboration technology.