Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems - KK-stiftelsen

Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems
The profile period has contained events that have characterised and
influenced AASS’ performance and outcome. Among the most critical
events were the involvement in the Vinnova-financed programme
‘Robotdalen’ (Robotics Valley), a number of prestigious publications as
well as editorships and prizes during the early years of the profile. Other
important events included the cooperation with the Korean Electronics &
Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), a number of promotions of
staff at AASS and the allocation of a new professorship, the creation of the
industrial graduate programme RAP (Intelligent Systems for Robotic,
Automation and Process Control), also financed by the Knowledge
Foundation, the mid-term evaluation and the subsequent restructuring of
AASS’ vision and organisation. At the end of the profile period, a number
of important transfers of research findings, infrastructure and relationships
that were created during the profile period were converted into new research
projects.
A set of factors has been critical to the successful operation of AASS.
For example, the pre-history of the research environment and its relations to
industry gave good momentum when entering the profile period. Another
factor of great importance has been the well-functioning management – both
when it comes to scientific leadership, to the work environment and to the
organisation of the profile. The ‘absorption capacity’, that is, the ability of
industry and academia to take advantage of each other’s knowledge and
competence, has been of crucial importance for the outcome. The profile has
also benefited greatly from AASS’ capacity to build long-lasting and strong
relations within the research community as well as with industry.
The execution of the profile has also resulted in the acquisition of
knowledge that can be helpful in future projects, such as how to balance
scientific visions with pragmatic (often financial) considerations or how to
develop the reciprocal ‘absorption capacity’ when academia and industry
cooperate.
The most important challenges that the research environment is facing
are how to further enhance its public relations strategy and activities, how to
increase the benefit for, and cooperation with, small and medium-sized
companies, how to handle the still low influx of new students, and how to
deal with the effects of the new public research policy that does not seem to
favour newer and smaller universities.
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