Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems - KK-stiftelsen

Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems
• The alignment of the research to the needs of industry and commercial
markets is good
• An impressive track record has been built up of relevant industrial
projects which appear to have delivered significant benefit to the
partnering companies
• It would appear that most, if not all, of the partnering companies are
both willing and able to take up the research, with the industrial PhD
being an effective conduit to assist the integration of the technology
within the company. Most commercial work was presented as
individual, stand-alone projects, which probably reflects the funding
mechanisms available. However it would be mutually beneficial to start
developing more long-term relationships with some key companies to
integrate AASS into their research capability.
• Critical success factors seemed to be handled well in this area although
the issue of increasing industrial PhD numbers needs to be tackled and
it would be, perhaps, useful to introduce a more formal mechanism for
evaluating the alignment of industries long terms research requirements
with the strategic direction of AASS research.
6. Growth potential and sustainability
AASS has performed well in securing a range of finance that gives it a fair
degree of security from short term funding difficulties in any one area. This
is a major achievement and a successful outcome of the Knowledge
Foundation 6 year funding. The level of industrial funding shows the
relevance of the research undertaken and the fact that it has been obtained
from a range of both small and large companies shows the breadth of the
capability developed within AASS. Similarly AASS have shown themselves
to be adept at obtaining funding from a wide range of both national and
European funding, although in this latter area would seem scope for further
exploration of opportunities.
It was noted that current economic conditions are likely to have a
negative impact on industrial funding in the short to medium term while
falling student numbers are likely to adversely effect faculty funding.
However in the medium term (i.e. next 3 years) the funding sources from
existing projects look secure and there is time to address these issues. It was
noted that the standard 3 to 4 year project funding duration has been
identified as a difficulty and that efforts will be made with the Knowledge
Foundation and Vinnova to seek longer term funding. This activity is
encouraged as, if secured, it would enable more long-term growth planning
to be carried out.
AASS have achieved a reasonable success with European funding with
projects secured under both FP6 and FP7. Further efforts to secure projects
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