MDM 2024

The 25th IEEE International Conference on Mobile Data Management (MDM 2024) was held from June 24 to June 27, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, attracting 100 scholars from 21 countries who gathered to exchange innovative and significant research results in mobile data management.

The MDM conference series focuses on research contributions in data management within mobile, ubiquitous, and pervasive computing environments. These conferences provide unique opportunities for researchers, engineers, and practitioners to explore new ideas, techniques, and tools while exchanging experiences.

This year’s conference featured a robust scientific program including 17 full papers, 4 short papers, 5 industry papers, and 5 PhD dissertations.

Keynote speeches were presented by distinguished experts in the field:

• Dimitrios Gunopulos from the University of Athens, who spoke on “Learning from Urban Mobility Data in the Era of AI: Challenges and Prospects.” His address delved into the complexities and opportunities of leveraging AI to analyze urban mobility patterns, highlighting innovative approaches and future directions in this rapidly evolving domain.
• Sofie Pollin of KU Leuven, who explored “Sustainable 6G Flexibility with Integrated Communication and Sensing and Non-Terrestrial Networks.” Her keynote focused on the advancements and sustainability of next-generation 6G networks, emphasizing the integration of communication technologies, sensing capabilities, and the role of non-terrestrial networks in creating a flexible and resilient infrastructure for the future.

The program also featured a series of EU Tracks, which are specialized sessions that focus on collaborative research and innovation projects funded by the European Union:

1. Dimitris Zissis (University of Aegean), “Empowering Innovation in Marine Robotics: Leveraging Ocean Testing Facilities, Open Data Initiatives, and Competitions”
2. Geert Vanstraelen (Macq), “From Cooperative ITS to Digital Twins in a System of Systems”
3. Georges Tod (NMBS-SNCB), “Assisting Train Maintenance Technicians with Learning Machines”
4. Iain Shepherd (European Commission), “Data and the EU’s Blue Economy”
5. Kris Vanherle (Telraam), “Telraam: Collecting Traffic Data in a Citizen Science Approach”
6. Michael Mulquin (IEC Smart Cities Systems) and Karl-Filip (Open & Agile Smart Cities), “Minimal Interoperability Unlocking Value from Mobility Data”
7. Rob Roemers (Brussels Public Transportation Company), “Data & Innovation at STIB-MIVB”

An advanced seminar titled “Privacy Risk Assessment in Mobility Applications,” conducted by Francesca Pratesi (ISTI – CNR), Roberto Trasarti (CNR), Roberto Pellungrini (University of Pisa), Michela Natilli (ISTI – CNR), and Valerio Grossi (ISTI – CNR), was a significant highlight of the conference. This session focused on the increasingly critical issue of privacy in the realm of mobility data.

Participants had the opportunity to socialize during the welcome reception and the banquet at a traditional Belgian/French restaurant, which is classified by UNESCO.

The IEEE MDM 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Awards granted 4 awards of 1100€ each, 2 free registrations, and a best student presentation award. These conference series awards aim to promote more diverse participation in computer and data science events.

The conference venue was the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), regularly ranked among the top 150 universities worldwide. ULB has won six scientific Nobel prizes and offers 12 faculties, 40 undergraduate programs, 250 graduate programs, and serves approximately 35,000 students.

The General Chairs of the Organizing Committee were Chiara Renso (ISTI-CNR), Mahmoud Sakr (Université libre de Bruxelles), and Walid Aref (Purdue University).

The conference was sponsored by IEEE, IEEE Computer Society TCDE, and supported by Microsoft, FNRS, Emeralds, and SoBigData. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is the world’s largest technical professional organization for electronics engineering, electrical engineering, and other related disciplines.

The next chapter of the MDM conference series will take place at the University of California, Irvine in June 2025.

EasyConferences was responsible for the online registration system.

Photo Gallery