Case Studies

National Manufacturing Institude Scotland

How AI Tech Futures delivered real-time air quality insights — and built a flexible edge system ready for any industrial challenge.

The Challenge: Smarter, Connected Workspaces

Industrial environments are becoming increasingly connected, but reliable real-time data is still hard to achieve without expensive infrastructure or cloud subscriptions. Many facilities struggle with visibility — knowing what’s really happening in their workspace, from air quality and temperature to energy use or machine performance.

At AI Tech Futures, we saw an opportunity to make intelligent sensing simpler, cheaper, and more adaptable. We wanted to prove that edge computing and open-source technology could deliver the same powerful insights as complex cloud platforms — without the recurring costs or vendor lock-in.

That vision became EdgeSense: our edge-based environmental monitoring system designed to provide accurate, real-time insights across industrial spaces, using flexible, low-power technology.

The EdgeSense Approach

We’ve developed an edge-based monitoring system that tracks air quality and environmental conditions — including particulate matter (PM), CO₂, TVOCs, temperature, and humidity — across large industrial facilities.

EdgeSense: Platform Overview

At its heart, EdgeSense uses HaLow mesh radio technology, a long-range, low-power wireless standard that performs exceptionally well in challenging environments like factories or warehouses. Combined with an open-source data stack and edge processing hardware, the system collects, analyses, and visualises data in real time — all without depending on the cloud.

This approach makes EdgeSense reliable, cost-effective, and scalable — designed to grow with the needs of modern industry.

By eliminating cloud dependency, EdgeSense cuts long-term costs, improves data security, and keeps control firmly within the organisation.

Proving the Concept: Deployment at the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC)

In May 2025, we had the opportunity to deploy EdgeSense at the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) a world-class facility dedicated to advancing digital manufacturing, which is part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). The goal was simple: to validate whether our integrated system could deliver reliable, actionable environmental data in a live industrial environment.

EdgeSense: Dashboard Image

Over a single day, sensors were installed in seven strategic locations around the site — from the main entrance and canteen to corridors and testing areas. Each unit measured particulate matter, TVOCs, CO₂, temperature, and humidity, feeding data back through the HaLow mesh to an on-site edge server.

The result? Zero data loss, stable wireless performance, and instant visual feedback via our live dashboard. Even with metal obstructions and varying environmental conditions, the system maintained consistent connectivity and performance.

Real-World Impact

Within hours of deployment, the DPMC’s team could view air quality variations across the facility in real time. The dashboard highlighted areas with higher particulate levels and provided an instant understanding of how ventilation and activity affected air conditions.

Beyond environmental insight, the trial proved that EdgeSense delivers measurable operational benefits:
- Improved visibility – Real-time air quality and temperature data support healthier, safer workspaces.
- Zero disruption – Setup and data capture completed in just a few minutes per location.
- Future-proof scalability – The modular design supports easy expansion or integration with existing systems.

More Than Environmental Monitoring

While the DPMC deployment focused on air quality, the EdgeSense system was designed to do much more. Its modular, open architecture allows it to connect to virtually any type of sensor, making it adaptable to a wide range of use cases beyond environmental data.

For example:
- Equipment monitoring – Detect vibration or performance changes to predict maintenance needs.
- Energy tracking – Measure energy use across zones or machines to identify efficiency gains.
- Safety and compliance – Automate alerts for conditions outside regulatory thresholds.

This flexibility means EdgeSense isn’t just an environmental monitoring solution — it’s a foundation for smarter industrial intelligence.

Looking Ahead

The success of the DPMC trial marks just the beginning for EdgeSense. Our next steps include expanding into predictive analytics, AI-driven insights, and integrated alert systems — helping organisations not only monitor their environments but anticipate and respond to changes before they impact operations.

At AI Tech Futures, we believe that smart sensing should be open, accessible, and scalable. With EdgeSense, we’re proving that industrial-grade intelligence doesn’t have to come with enterprise-grade complexity or cost.

Conclusion

The EdgeSense system has shown that modern industrial environments can gain real-time insight without the cloud — and without compromise. Whether it’s monitoring air quality, optimising energy use, or protecting assets, EdgeSense provides a flexible, future-ready foundation for smarter operations.

If your organisation wants to explore how edge technology can transform your workspace, we’d love to talk.