Previsico accelerates IoT rollout in the UK following flood mitigation success

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 28 October 2022

UPDATED: 1 November 2022

Loughborough University spinout Previsico has launched the nationwide roll-out of innovative IoT technology that enables individuals and communities to build resilience against the impacts of flooding. This follows success across the UK, including Whalley in Lancashire, which was devasted by flooding in 2015 and 2020.

Founded on 20 years of academic research by Loughborough's Professor Dapeng Yu, Previsico launched its first IoT-based flood alert system, after successful UK trials, in July 2021. Since then, it has twice enabled flood wardens in Whalley to take immediate action to prevent flooding in the town during the recent heavy rainfall.

Earlier this year, Liberty Specialty Markets became the first UK insurer to provide both real-time flood warnings to clients triggered by Previsico’s IoT sensors, which were placed in watercourses close to their premises, enabling them to take pro-active action to protect their assets from flooding.

Dr Andrew Pledger, Previsico IoT Systems Manager and former Loughborough researcher, said:

“We are delighted to have seen the efficacy of our first IoT solution in Whalley, particularly following previous major flood issues in the town. Now, and by working in partnership with insurers and end-clients, we can save more people, properties, and businesses from the devastating impacts of flooding – particularly the effects of surface water.

“Our solution gives insurers the ability to alert customers of immediate risks to their assets, so they can move valuables - including cars - to higher ground or set up temporary flood defences around their properties in the case of an imminent flood – a win-win for insurers and their customers.”

Previously, the IoT solution was only available as part of Previsico’s full solution that combines its world-leading flood modelling capabilities and IoT technologies to address the increasing global issue of surface water flooding. Previsico is now aiming to have 3,000 IoT devices installed for clients across the UK by Q4 2023 and is in talks with several insurance and risk management partners to accelerate this process.

Previsico has been on a fast-track since its launch on LUSEP, the University Science and Enterprise Park in 2019, and it is now supporting brokers, insurers Liberty, Zurich, Generali, and their clients, with live, actionable warnings for surface water flooding. Working with Lloyd’s Lab, underwriters agreed Previsico’s warnings can mitigate 70% or more of commercial loss for businesses with a flood plan and resilience measures.

Previsico’s next generation live flood forecasting solution brings together the latest weather data from the Met Office, IoT devices on the ground, and its advanced flood modelling capabilities address the increasing global issue of surface water flooding for insurers, the public sector, and major corporate clients.

Professor Dan Parsons, Loughborough University Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said:

“It can take years for individuals, businesses and communities to recover from being flooded. Previsico’s IoT sensing solutions will help us become more resilient to the impacts of floods - the risks of which is set to at least double by 2050 due to climate change. This innovative technology has significant global potential.”

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