Flood warning system wins digital sustainability challenge

Brisbane-based communications company Madison Technologies has won first place in the Asia Pacific, Japan, China (APJC) category in Cisco’s inaugural Global Digital Sustainability Challenge, conceiving a proactive flood warning solution that creates a safer environment for road users in our ever-changing climate.

The competition asked Cisco partners across the globe to submit their most innovative ideas focused on helping customers tackle climate concerns and achieving sustainability goals. After becoming a Cisco Operational Technology business partner in September 2021, the team at Madison Technologies was introduced to the competition through Cisco in early 2022.

When considering climate-related challenges, the team at Madison drew on personal experiences, using local weather events to inform their thinking. The final concept presented to the Cisco Sustainability Challenge was Flood Node, a flood warning solution that provides a digital early-alert system of expected flood water across roads, along with visualisation confirmation, to predict flood levels and provide advanced warnings rerouting drivers to safer roads.

“The flash flooding that Brisbane experienced at the beginning of the year was front of mind when we were conceptualising solutions,” said Alex Sims, Technical Solutions Engineer. “I got caught out by the flooding because the analog flood makers weren’t able to communicate the expected water levels, which turned my return trip into a dangerous experience. By digitising flood detection, we can improve the routing provided to us by navigational apps and make road users safer.”

Cisco Sustainability Challenge judges considered three key criteria when assessing the submissions, including the team’s ability to show a measurable impact, present a unique innovation concept and demonstrate collaboration towards digital transformation.

“It is fantastic to see Australian innovation recognised with Madison Technologies taking out first place in APJC,” said Ben Dawson, Vice President, Cisco Australia & New Zealand.

“The team at Madison Technologies shared their innovative flood warning solution concept, Flood Node, in response to the dangers associated with flash flooding experienced in Australia and across the globe. This is an excellent application of Cisco technology and demonstrates the ability of our partners to innovate, directly tackling the impact of climate change. The Challenge prize money will help to accelerate the innovation and development process.”

Madison Technologies is now looking to further develop the product concept and will soon start the prototyping stage.

Image caption: Ben Dawson, Vice President of Cisco ANZ, congratulates Madison Group Enterprises CEO Gerhard Loots.