Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems - KK-stiftelsen

Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems
The industrial objective was to achieve industrial cooperation with emphasis
on strong, mutual benefits.
By the end of the profile period, AASS has:
• attained an internationally competitive scientific level and a leading
position within the prioritised research areas at Örebro University
• gained high scientific esteem, both nationally and internationally
• established an academic network, both of breadth and quality
• produced 54 articles in scientific journals, 151 conference papers and
conference presentations, 66 publications at workshops and symposia,
13 chapters in books and five books
• carried out 63 projects. It has produced 14 PhD dissertations and 19
licentiate degrees (between bachelor or master and doctorate)
• achieved close collaboration with seven companies within related
industries
• had considerable relevance to industry
• made a significant impact on education at MSc level, but less so on
lower levels, mainly due to the decreasing number of students pursuing
a technical education
• steadily increased its number of senior researchers
• been successful in finding research funding when the profile financing
ended.
The profile project has created results both from an academic and an
industrial point of view. The most prominent academic results have been the
access to empirical data from within the cooperating companies, an
increased focus on the research environment, international esteem and
cooperation, an influx of new researchers and new skills to the research
environment along with publications and research findings. For industry, the
profile has had indirect commercial results, primarily through exposure and
validation of products, access to manpower and skills, as well as access to
knowledge about research and development in the field of autonomous
sensor systems.
Not all activities turned out as they were initially planned. The original
plans of working with strict quantitative goals turned out to be of less use,
especially when it came to the planning of personnel. From 2002 onwards,
AASS, as well as other institutions for technical education in Sweden and
abroad, experienced a steady decrease in the number of applicants. This
created problems, e.g. for recruitment to the graduate programme, and led to
an adjustment of strategies and procedures for the recruitment of PhD
students. AASS did not reach out in mass media in the way they had hoped
for in the beginning. The most profound change was the decision in 2006–
2007 to rearrange AASS’ overreaching scientific vision and the subsequent
reorganisation of the centre from four to three research labs.
8