An IoT-based Framework to Protect Cultural Heritage Buildings

Italy offers a Cultural Heritage of considerable value to be protected. In fact, the artifacts and ancient buildings are affected by a natural deterioration linked to the flow of time. Sometimes the deterioration compromises the functionality of Cultural Heritage, driving them toward degradation. In this scenario, given the different critical points, the wide variability of the factors involved, and the wide range of possible treatments, intervene efficiently seems impossible. However, the spread of low-cost technology has led to the possibility of having various devices and sensors able to communicate and interact with each other and with humans: the Internet of Things (IoT). In this scenario, the IoT paradigm allows mapping the reality by defining a coherent virtual environment, which could help preserve Cultural Heritage. This paper aims to introduce an IoT-based system that combines three aspects: monitoring, predictive maintenance, and decision-making related to interventions to be implemented to preserve buildings belonging to Cultural Heritage. In order to test the proposed architecture, a prototype capable of interacting with expert users has been implemented and tested. The results of the experimental campaign are promising.