Kiezbox 2.0

Kiezbox 2.0 is a pilot measure of the Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin (GD:B) strategy and is a prototype of what an alternative, self-sufficient communication network for crises could look like.

In times of extreme weather situations, politically motivated attacks and increased disaster protection, the pilot project is testing various scenarios in order to derive recommendations for action for the crisis-proof city of tomorrow.  

What would not work in the event of a crisis? For example, if a strong storm causes trees to fall and damages power lines, if people are injured and cannot be cared for or warned in advance? In the event of a prolonged power outage, mobile communications and other power-based communication networks would no longer function reliably. However, access to critical infrastructure, such as emergency calls and crisis communication, must be guaranteed, especially in such extreme situations.   

With the Kiezbox 2.0, an emergency WLAN is to be made available that citizens can use to make text-based emergency calls to the fire department, for example, or access crisis-related information via low-data websites. In regular operation, however, the boxes collect important data that can be used by the city council or other municipal stakeholders. 

Kiezbox 2.0 is based on the idea of a hyperlocal network (see Kiezbox project) and two basic scenarios:  

• In regular operation, the Kiezboxes use various sensors to take local measurements (e.g. on air quality). This allows various data to be collected for the smart city, among other things. At the same time, the functionality of the boxes is monitored and ensured in the event of a crisis.  
• In the event of a crisis (e.g. power failure), the Kiezboxes serve as hotspots for an emergency WLAN. "This provides the population with information on what to do in the event of a crisis and a communication channel to the emergency services.

The Kiezbox consists of the following central components:  

• At its core, the Kiezbox is made up of a Raspberry Pi computer, external WiFi communication modules and the energy-efficient LoRaWAN wireless technology.
• There are also sensors to take measurements during normal operation (e.g. temperature, humidity or volume) and thus ensure permanent monitoring of the environment.  
• All internal components are integrated in a space-saving, rugged and outdoor-capable housing that can be mounted on roofs.  
• Outside the housing, a solar panel and/or small wind turbine ensures that the batteries in the housing are charged. Another external element are antennas to optimize the range.

 
What's next for the Kiezbox 2.0?

Since the official launch in February 2023, the Kiezbox 2.0 team has been assembling and testing various use cases together with the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment and the associated project partners (including the Berlin fire department, state-owned companies and universities).  

The kick-off workshop as part of the development process for the Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin strategy once again emphasized that the Kiezbox 2.0 should not only be developed for crisis situations, but also for regular operations. On the one hand, it is important that the Kiezboxes are already known to the population before an emergency occurs. On the other hand, local partners should be connected in the best possible way and also be users of the Kiezbox under normal circumstances. In addition to hardware and software development, the focus is therefore on testing use cases. The Kiezboxes could be used as a communication hub for neighborhoods, for example by installing interactive displays.  

How the Kiezbox 2.0 can be used to send emergency call forms has already been successfully demonstrated on the roof terrace of the Technology Foundation. The aim is to install around 15 functional Kiezboxes on the rooftops of Berlin-Schöneberg in a pilot run by 2025. News and more information here.

Status: November 2023