AI-Driven Flood Prediction Project HWS 4.0 Launches in Bergisches Land
A collaborative research project, HWS 4.0, has kicked off in the Bergisches Land region. Backed by €2.8 million from the state, it aims to modernise flood protection measures using AI. Partners from various sectors, including mechanical engineering, universities, and municipal utilities, are joining forces to combine expertise.
The three-year project, funded by the Ministry of Economics, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, involves Heinz Berger Maschinenfabrik and Bergische Universität Wuppertal. The Wupper Association, operating 60 gauges and 100 sensors, provides real-time water level and rainfall data. A prototype dashboard, freely accessible online, displays current water levels, trends, and historical data.
At the heart of HWS 4.0 is an AI-based flood prediction system. It learns to recognise patterns, such as sudden water level rises, to forecast floods up to several hours in advance. The goal is to enhance prediction accuracy for the Wupper and its tributaries. An app for the system is planned for release in mid-2026.
The HWS 4.0 project, with its diverse partners and innovative AI approach, seeks to bolster flood protection in the Bergisches Land. By improving prediction accuracy, it aims to better safeguard lives and property in the region.
