Launch of Nordic Collaboration in Remote Control

The right competence in the right place – at the right time. These are the guiding principles for the research project Immerse, which aims to develop remote-controlled processes through digital image processing, computer vision, and augmented reality (AR).

“The project addresses a common challenge for our regions: the difficulty of finding key competence in geographically remote locations,” says Professor Mårten Sjöström, project leader for Immerse. 

Using one or more 360-degree cameras, the project aims to create a sense of physical presence and the ability to interact virtually through remote control. At the end of September, the two research groups met for a kick-off in Sundsvall, including a tour of Mid Sweden University’s lab environments.

“Through this collaboration we can push the boundaries of what is possible with remote presence technologies, ultimately driving forward industries that are crucial to our economies and environments”, says Professor Janne Heikkilä, who leads the research group at the University of Oulu. 

The technology that the project aims to develop is particularly interesting for industries such as mining, forestry, and manufacturing, where it can create more efficient processes. There are also significant benefits from a sustainability perspective, as remote control reduces the need for travel and increases accessibility through a safer working environment.

PhD student Manu Gond is showing professor Janne Heikkilä and PhD student Ahmed Alhawwary some of the work he is doing.

The next step is to establish a reference network with companies in the industry in northern Sweden, Finland, and Norway, which will provide valuable input on needs and test environments. 

Read more about the project - IMMERSE

The project is funded by Interreg Aurora.