Special Session 3

Internet of Things & Sensors for Cultural Heritage: Bridging Technological Innovation and Historic Preservation

SESSION SYNOPSIS

The modern era is characterized by an increasingly dynamic and pervasive reality: our environments and devices are becoming progressively more innovative and technologically advanced. This revolution is driven by the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, which can render everyday objects intelligent. Equipped with sensors and connectivity, these devices are able to interact among themselves and with users, generating a continuous stream of data that opens innovative avenues for automation, data analysis, and integration between the physical and digital worlds.

IoT permeates various sectors, from smart cities to industrial production systems, enhancing efficiency and quality of life. This is no less true in Cultural Heritage, where this paradigm offers new perspectives for preservation, management, and valorization. Cultural heritage, encompassing historically significant monuments, archaeological sites, works of art, and traditions passed down through generations, stands as a fundamental testament to a people's history and identity. However, its preservation often presents challenges due to factors such as deterioration and environmental damage. Here, IoT comes into play, proposing itself as an essential tool for monitoring the conservation status of objects and historical sites, facilitating and suggesting operations for preventive maintenance, and providing essential data for restoration interventions.

Moreover, IoT opens the doors to new modes of cultural heritage enjoyment. Through network-connected devices, it is possible to offer immersive and interactive experiences to visitors of cultural sites, enriching their educational and cultural experiences. This not only aids in conveying heritage knowledge in more engaging ways but can also stimulate greater public interest in cultural conservation.

Therefore, the application of IoT in the cultural heritage field represents a bridge between technological innovation and historical preservation, offering a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach to protecting and enhancing cultural riches. The synergy between advanced technology and traditional conservation thus forms an indispensable foundation for safeguarding our past, ensuring future generations can benefit and learn from the teachings our history has bestowed upon us.

SESSION ORGANIZERS

  • Mario Casillo

    Department of Cultural Heritage Sciences - University of Salerno, Italy

  • Francesco Colace

    Department of Industrial Engineering - University of Salerno, Italy

  • Angelo Lorusso

    Post Doctoral Researcher Department of Industrial Engineering - University of Salerno, Italy

  • Domenico Santaniello

    Research Fellow - Department of Cultural Heritage Sciences - University of Salerno, Italy

  • Allan Tucker

    Reader Department of Computer Science & Head of Intelligent Data Analysis Group - Brunel University, London