Project members of ENSURE 6G gathered in Sundsvall

The visit kicked off with presentations by researcher Irida Shalari and research engineer Rikard Hamrin, who showcased a thermal imaging and contact sensor-based system installed on a railway in Sundsvall. With initial data now streaming in from this setup, researchers are set to explore advanced sensor fusion techniques, data modeling, connectivity challenges, and process reconstruction.

The setup onsite at a railway in Sundsvall. 

Special sessions were also held to foster collaboration between the University of Oulu and Mid Sweden University. Prof. Mattias O’Nils, head of the STC Research Centre, introduced ongoing research and innovation projects at the center. Additionally, Nurul Huda Mahmood from the University of Oulu delivered a captivating guest lecture on Critical MTC in the context of 6G.

A key part of the event was a joint workshop bringing together the ENSURE 6G and IMMERSE Aurora research projects. The primary goal was to identify synergies between the two initiatives. Prof. Mårten Sjöström leads the IMMERSE project. 

- The joint workshop between ENSURE 6G and IMMERSE contained a mutual exchange of information between the two InterReg Aurora projects. The projects are highly relateed in the sense that they address similar challenges in the Aurora region, but from different perspectives and having supplementary technologies and solutions in mind. Furthermore, it was identified how the projects can benefit from each other and their respective activities, not the least when it comes to communicating with industries and users, as well as disseminating their respective outcomes, say Prof. Mårten Sjöström, leader of IMMERSE at Mid Sweden University. 

- While both ENSURE 6G and IMMERSE focus on remote monitoring and operations, ENSURE 6G emphasizes connectivity and data fusion, where IMMERSE concentrates on image and video processes for augmented reality and teleoperation. This alignment positions the projects to develop comprehensive solutions for operations in remote areas with limited or challenging connectivity, said Aamir Mahmood researcher at Mid Sweden University and part of the ENSURE 6G team.

Bron Innovation also played a role in the workshop, helping both projects connect with regional stakeholders and drive business innovation.

- With one year into ENSURE-6G, the face to face project meeting organized at Mid Sweden University’s cozy riverside campus took place at the right time. Given that the project has started getting traction in each of the work packages, the f2f meeting provided an opportunity to review what has been done so far and make impactful plans towards achieving the project objectives in the remaining two years, say Nurul Huda Mahmood, projectleader of ENSURE 6G. 

- Over the past year, we've made tremendous progress, establishing a strong foundation in planning and resources. With the momentum we've built, we're confident in our ability to meet our milestones and advance the vision of ENSURE 6G, say Aamir Mahmood.

To conclude the meeting, the group attended an IoT exhibition at Södra Berget in Sundsvall, organized by ServaNet. There, members met with Swedish IoT companies and received demonstrations of various IoT projects, including those featured at Mid Sweden University's booth.

IoT Exhibition in Sundsvall.