Opening new doors to data spaces
Getty Images/Nico El Nino
What exactly are data spaces? Figuratively speaking, they can be described as a series of rooms containing everything you need, sorted with meticulous precision. These spaces can only be accessed by individuals who have the right key and can verify their identity; they alone have the authority to add items or set up new rooms. Since an incredible amount of material is stored in these facilities and often needs to be quickly combined, the rooms are interconnected – virtually, of course. In the words of DLR researcher Maximilian Stäbler: "A data space enables the trustworthy implementation of data-based applications and business models. It offers everyone involved a high degree of flexibility and autonomy." Stäbler leads the Base-X project at the DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security. "Base-X," he continues, "is a comprehensive technical solution that integrates transport systems, mobility services and infrastructure into an interconnected ecosystem to enable seamless, efficient and sustainable transport solutions for both urban and rural areas".
DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security
The DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security researches and develops AI-related methods, processes, algorithms and technologies. These are used in the fields of energy, transport, aeronautics and space, as well as other sectors relevant to Germany as a centre for science and industry. The Institute focuses particularly on areas such as cybersecurity and automation in mobility and logistics.
Quickly connecting data
Base-X is extremely flexible, which makes it ideal for a wide range of applications – a 'jack of all trades' in the world of data spaces. The first pilot projects are underway in Hamburg and Ulm, and in Daegu, South Korea. At all three locations, Base-X is being used to bring together various types of data that previously had not been connected or weren't designed for integrated use. The goal is to streamline the linking of datasets, so that commuters, for example, won’t have to switch between apps when transferring from different modes of transport – such as when getting off a train and onto a bike or e-scooter. Intermodal transport is a highly complex use case, but one that is well suited to Base-X. Data from all the different providers is kept available and neatly organised in the relevant 'rooms', but cannot be transferred to a common application. Returning to the room analogy, knowing your way around one room doesn’t mean you can find your way around another, which may have a different organisational logic. What Base-X does in this scenario is provide the right signage, smooths out any uneven steps and installs extra security locks as required. In other words, it acts as a matchmaking platform: participants decide for themselves how the data they provide can be used and for what purposes. Rather than serving as a channel for transferring data itself, Base-X points the way to the right data source and ensures that the data transfer is carried out in accordance with agreed rules.
There is a lot of scope for using Base-X in the field of mobility. For example, it could be used to assist with road maintenance: in the future, every vehicle fitted with a camera could play a part in surveying the streets. This would require software to analyse and label the images and videos captured on camera – and of course a data space where the output could be stored and made available for further use. What kind of road damage has been spotted? Is it a pothole? Where is the damage? What does it look like? How urgently does it need to be repaired? With the help of Base-X, data collected could easily be harnessed to help resolve these issues. This use case is currently being implemented by the Institute for AI Safety and Security, in collaboration with industry and the municipal authorities of Hamburg, Ulm and Daegu.
Maximilian Stäbler and Frank Köster, Head of the DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security, are keen to take Base-X further, building new collaborations and using digital infrastructure with a particular focus on enhancing data-driven mobility solutions. With this in mind, the researchers recently paid a visit to South Korea. "This international cooperation underlines not only the scalability of our approach, but also its potential for real-world applications," says Stäbler. Base-X has also been supporting industry in developing interoperable and scalable solutions. "From our perspective," adds Köster, "Base-X is helping us take a crucial step towards a confident digital future".
About Base-X
Base-X emerged from the Gaia-X 4 Future Mobility project family. Over three and a half years, 80 companies and research institutes worked on more than 20 use cases – all relating to mobility. The DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security is responsible for coordinating this project family. Gaia-X is a European initiative aimed at creating a powerful, secure and competitive data infrastructure. Base-X combines existing data and service infrastructures seamlessly with Gaia-X-compliant data spaces and ecosystems. The aim of Gaia-X is to create a transparent and open digital environment where data and services can be easily and securely accessed and exchanged.
An article by Katja Lenz from the DLRmagazine 177