Experiences of private sector participants in Marie Curie Actions - Partnering in ITN project

Marie Sklodowska Curie ActionsBridging Business and Research

Seppo Laukkanen, CEOSenseTrix, Finland

What is SenseTrix?

Shortly about our company, what we do or have done, and why are we giving speech to you here

SenseTrix in a nutshell

• Offers many solutions based on virtual- and augmented reality

• Within these areas operates as developer, reseller and content creator

• Delivers turn-key systems, separate components and dedicated content

• Founded 2002• Small company - currently 2 persons• Have been mostly with R&D

• Despite small size have worked with some of the world’s largest organizations

References:

Training system for astronauts (NASA)- among first of its kind

Maintenance tool (CERN)- others not good enough

Expert presentation (US DoD, Pentagon)- only European/foreign

Therapy tool for children with long-term illness (VIVA-project)- Device sales and expert help

One example or ARSee in animated 3D what the book is telling about, above the page

Example: Maintenance manual / education

Case at hand – current Marie Curie project: PURESAFE

What is VR - Typical Virtual Reality environment

Typical VR view

Research within business

Our research experience and how it connects to our business

Research projects

• Fifth Framework Programme • Fifth Framework programme• Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)• Information Society Technologies Programme (IST)

• VIEW = Virtual and Interactive Environments for Workplaces of the Future• 2001-2003

• Universities: UNOTT, USTUT, ICS-Forth, ICCS• Research Institutions: VTT, FhG IAO, COAT• Larger companies: PSA, John Deere, Alenia Spazio• SMEs: SenseTrix, Wintec

Research projects

• Sixth Framework Programme horizontal research activities involving SME co-operative research

• Sixth Framework programme• Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)• Networks for Initial Training (ITN)

• CADPIPE = CAD Production PIPEline• 2004-2006

• Research Institutes: VTT, Miralab, ICI, FgH• SMEs: SenseTrix, NIKI Information Technologies, DeltaCAD, infoTRON

A.S., DeskArtes Oy, ISOIN, SienaBioGraFiX s.r.l., Melon Technologies, Nemetschek, TESTALUNA srl.

Research projects

• The Marie Curie Actions FP7 – PURESAFE• Seventh Framework programme• Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)• Networks for Initial Training (ITN)

• PURESAFE = Preventing hUman intervention for incREased Safety in inFrastructures Emitting ionizing radiation

• 2011-2015

• Universities: TUT, UPM, KIT• Large scientific facilities: CERN, GSI• SMEs: SenseTrix, bgator, OTL

Research projects, national ones

• PC-VR• PC technology based virtual reality• 2001-2003• SenseTrix, Senaatti kiinteistöt, Solibri, VTT, Inststo Olof Granlund, CERN• TEKES-funded

• ARARAT• 2004-2006• AR-software solutions for architectural- construction- and areaplanning• NCC Rakennus, Senaatti-kiinteistöt, Lappset Group, Arkkitehtitoimisto JKMM,

Adactive, SenseTrix, Efektipiste, DeskArtes, Ides, Helsingin kaupungin suunnitteluvirasto, VTT

• TEKES-funded• ARSisustus

• Augmented Reality solutions for interior design• 2008-2010• VTT, VividWorks,Rautakesko,UPCode,DeskArtes,SenseTrix,Floobs

Research projects – not happened for us

• ITEA 2 ViCoMo EUREKA• Concentrates on 3D- videoanalysis and enrichment of videoimage with 3D-

content and stereo-image.• 2009-2012• TEKES-funded

• PerSSys• Eurostars• Personnel Safety system• Lead by CERN, National funding by TEKES• 2012-2014

• Projects went through, but we did not get national funding – economically too small company

Feelings about research projects from point of view of a small company

• EU-Funded ones are much better than national funded• Easier to get through, to get funded• More international contacts

• Projects with own R&D –part much better• Outcome will be closer to what we want• Smaller common costs for money, and more focused work• IPR issues

• Would we recommend this to other companies? • YES!• Which one, depends on your situation, expertise and goals

• Are you merely a reseller-type? Take one where is no own R&D• Do you develop your own product? Take one with own R&D

• Good consortium is important. Be active, not a yes-yes –man.

Some points from the projects

• Having new researcher or early-stage researcher through project?• Not normal type of employment, need to find correct person right away• Will the chemistry match? Motivation? Quick learning for company expertise?

• Be sure to know what type of funding is to be received, and when• Is the funding forwarded to R&D –partners?• When is the fund paid?

• Unsure of being able to fulfil the technical requirements?• Never, just go for it

• IPR-issues with different kind of projects – own IPR or shared one, or someone else’s?

Marie Curie Actions FP 7 – PURESAFE – ongoing project

• We had very good ESR• Many new products developed

• AR-based Maintenance worker and preparation tool• Basic AR-platform• STAR-productline• STEDUS-product• Many smaller ones

• Even not economically success-story yet, it might turn into it in very short time

• Project has given very good opportunity to create huge business

• Same products and results achieved without project?• No: Know-how OK, but time no.

Side benefits from the project

• New contacts from many places• To visit places otherwise impossible or rare opportunities

• Joint work, like OpenSE = an open, lean and participative approach to systems engineering

• Publications like Augmented Reality System for Advanced Maintenance in Large Scientific Facilities

• Journal writings like one at International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems (A New Hybrid Approach for Augmented Reality Maintenance in Scientific Facilities)

• -> Stronger technical references, which is important for small-sized company for creditability

.. and who knows what is still to come

• Any possible new partners HERE? • I am speaking here because we took part of Marie Curie Actions -project• We look for investors, salespersons/-companies, new R&D projects, new

customers..• Next FP?

• We will continue with our ESR after the project • -> Outcomes continue after the project• Another SME from same project does same with other ESRs

Thank you for your time

• Seppo LaukkanenSenseTrix040-5855429seppo.laukkanen@sensetrix.com