Dublin pilots IoT and new procurement approach for water safety

Four companies are piloting Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in Dublin to mitigate the costs and risks associated with ring buoys being stolen.

The Smart Dublin project is also using a new procurement approach which aims to support easier adoption of innovative tools.

Local authorities across Ireland and elsewhere face a challenge with ring buoy theft. Around 15 of Dublin’s 140 ring buoys go missing or are stolen every week. The need to replace nearly 600 ring buoys each year costs over €20,000 (US$24,000) as well as potentially endangering lives.

To address the issue, which remains pressing amid the pandemic as more people visit outdoor spaces such as beaches, an innovation chall...