Towards Industry 5.0 Metrology: Traceable self-calibrating networks of non-removable smart sensors in hydraulic flow conduits

This paper investigates the concept of metrological traceability in smart sensor networks used in hydraulic systems, which are fundamental for managing water, energy, and environmental resources. It particularly targets smart sensor networks permanently installed in flow conduits, analysing challenges related to sensor placement, in situ calibration, and long-term maintenance in complex, dynamic, and hard-to-access environments. Emphasising the need for application-specific strategies, the paper proposes harnessing recent advances in digital technologies, metrological frameworks, and autonomous systems. It outlines a hybrid strategy that integrates both fixed and mobile measurement standards with semi-blind in situ calibration methods and real-time monitoring capabilities implemented at the intelligent edge. These advancements aim to enhance measurement accuracy, system reliability, and traceability by allowing autonomous real-time recalibration, anomaly detection, and automated traceability management. This reduces reliance on human intervention while supporting the efficient and resilient operation of smart sensor networks in hydraulic systems. A central element of the proposed framework is the integration of Digital Metrological Twins, which would serve as virtual representations of measurement processes and support SI-traceable uncertainty propagation. The approach advocates deploying reduced-order models at the edge, synchronised with high-fidelity reference models in the cloud, to facilitate efficient, self-validating metrological workflows. By integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines, this work seeks to promote discussion and drive progress in achieving reliable measurement traceability for permanently embedded smart sensor networks in hydraulic systems. • Conceptual framework for traceability in non-removable hydraulic sensor networks. • Semi-blind in situ calibration tailored to inaccessible flow conduits. • Digital Metrological Twins proposed for SI-traceable uncertainty propagation. • Intelligent edge supports autonomous monitoring and recalibration workflows. • Hybrid use of static and mobile standards explored for field calibration.