SDGs supported:
Modern cyber-physical systems across technology-enabled cities and critical infrastructure ecosystems are becoming increasingly complex, yet robust tools for integrating and analysing large volumes of heterogeneous data remain limited. Information streams from audio, video, social media, sensors, robotics, and Earth Observation technologies are often fragmented, making it difficult to achieve real-time situational awareness, detect hazards and faulty events, and identify cascading stressors in dynamic environments. These gaps reduce the ability of operators and first responders to infer actionable response plans on the fly, particularly in high-risk and disaster-prone zones.
To address these challenges, we develop novel AI-driven, real-time solutions that seamlessly integrate multimodal data to enhance risk detection, infrastructure monitoring, and resilience assessment. By leveraging technologies such as GPS, InSAR, IoT sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery, autonomous systems, and dynamic digital twins, we support faster decision-making and more effective crisis management. Combined with fit-for-purpose artificial intelligence, machine learning ensembles, and explainable analytics, our approaches enable rapid damage assessment and strengthen the safety, coordination, and resilience of operations in complex environments.
Kopiika et al. (2025): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105955
Our approach to AI- driven digitalisation
Advanced data integration and analysis
We integrate multimodal datasets from disparate sources into a unified and operational data ecosystem. By combining GIS, digital twins, monitoring systems, robotic platforms, and Earth Observation data, our approach enhances data utilisation and transforms complex information into actionable insights. Our methodologies include advanced deep learning and machine learning techniques, as well as agentic AI and prompt engineering strategies, designed to address both big and small data challenges, ensuring scalability, precision, and adaptability across diverse operational settings.
Innovative monitoring and predictive technologies
We deploy monitoring and navigation-oriented systems that combine IoT devices, satellite imagery, autonomous drones, ground-based platforms, and AI-powered predictive analytics. These systems provide operators and emergency services with real-time insights, supporting proactive infrastructure management, rapid hazard detection, and safer interventions in disaster zones. Our expertise in data fusion, point cloud processing, predictive modelling, and intelligent AI orchestration enables a comprehensive understanding of asset conditions and evolving risks across complex cyber-physical systems.
AI-driven digital twins for infrastructure
We develop AI-driven digital twin platforms to transform the monitoring and management of smart city applications, built environments, and critical infrastructure. By integrating diverse datasets such as point clouds, satellite imagery, IoT sensor networks, and robotic observations, we enable real-time situational awareness and advanced predictive modelling. Our development and application of AI/ML, generative AI, explainable AI, agentic AI, and prompt engineering support proactive decision-making, adaptive workflows, improved operational coordination, and enhanced resilience against natural, technological, and hybrid threats.
Ethical and explainable AI for crisis management
We develop trustworthy AI frameworks for crisis management that combine explainable AI, generative AI, and prompt engineering to support transparent, real-time decision-making, whilst safeguarding privacy, fairness, and EDI principles.
Argyroudis S, Mitoulis SA et al. (2022): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096321001169
Impact
Our research empowers decision-makers and operators with real-time, AI-driven tools to enhance situational awareness to enhance resilience of smart urban environments and critical infrastructure against diverse hazards and cascading failures. The outcomes of our research and consulting contribute to safeguarding global economies and societies, fostering sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems.