The construction sector has struggled to modernize, maintaining practices for a long time that seemed from another century, but little by little it is incorporating new technologies to be more efficient. This has been detected by Witeklab, dedicated to developing sensors to monitor infrastructures and buildings with the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Installed in DFactory, the innovation center for industry 4.0 of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), for more than a year, the company works with technology centers and universities for the development of its products.
Witeklab started nine years ago, after seeing that there was room for improvement, even though potential future clients were reluctant to changes. It was founded by Manel Torrentallé and Ignasi Cairó. The first came from the construction sector in question, while the second was a specialist in telecommunications and sensors. "Large companies have become very interested," Torrentallé explains when he looks back.
This change in mentality coincides with the launch period of the products they have been devising for years, after having invested in research and development (R&D) and having already commercialized some. "We help reduce maintenance costs and gain in safety. Also to be more sustainable because clients save on travel," says its CEO.
In Witeklab's portfolio, reinforced concrete has a prominent weight, with a sensor that allows the monitoring and evaluation of its corrosion, a key aspect to prevent and avoid accidents. Until now, analyses like this were done by eye, a mechanism that required moving human teams. This sensor, which has been developed together with the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), offers real-time updates on the state of constructions, saving the need to go check it in person. It also has another product that allows detecting current corrosion in situ, for which it has collaborated with the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).
Witeklab analyzes concrete from another point of view, focusing on the setting time to be able to have a precise estimation of its resistance in real time. By measuring the temperature and humidity inside when it is being poured, their solution allows increasing safety and saving up to 50% of technical costs compared to the traditional method of breaking test specimens, in addition to reducing labor and financial costs. This product has been developed together with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC).
Other fields in which the company works are the monitoring of dynamic screens and barriers on slopes, anchors and earth movements, with the detection of issues such as rockfalls or sudden movements. With a remote and real-time system, Witeklab's solution recommends whether or not to move, depending on the magnitude of the movements, which allows solving its inspection in hard-to-reach areas and reducing costs in surveillance and in-person inspections. Likewise, it has a solution aimed at supply companies to mark and locate key points in underground electricity, gas, water or fiber optic installations to record all relevant information through a cloud platform, without having to open any trench.
The company has a staff of seven employees, distributed between DFactory and its headquarters in Terrassa. According to Torrentallé, the goal is to end up concentrating them all in the CZFB facilities, where commercial tasks are now mainly concentrated and meetings are held. "It is the ideal place to work, make contacts and develop products," remarks the executive, who recalls that there was no sensor company until they arrived. They also have a headquarters in Andorra.
After a few years of investment in product development, Witeklab expects to accelerate its turnover this fiscal year, with a forecast of reaching up to 300,000 euros. In 2023, revenues were close to 100,000 euros. The company has not yet recorded profits. In this phase, they want to strengthen their position in markets where they are already present, such as the United States and India, in addition to entering new ones, such as the Philippines and Malaysia. Spain and Andorra were their first markets. As future projects, the company wants to remain in the areas where it already operates, improving its services and incorporating even more AI.