New research profile and one of Sweden's first 5G networks at Mid Sweden University

Now, the next generation communication solutions develops a new research profile in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The Knowledge Foundation grants just over SEK 68 million in support of the development of both STC and FSCN.

The single largest project, NIIT - Next Generation Industrial IoT, gives Mid Sweden University a completely new research profile and in addition, a new 5G network is being installed in collaboration with Telia.

- This is very positive and enables us to continue building a strong and integrated research and education environment, on a long-term and systematic basis, in close collaboration with the industry, says Mattias O'Nils, Center Manager for Sensible Things that Communicate, STC

The research project NIIT focuses on next generation industrial IoT technology to develop methods that support the transformation of industrial processes. This includes advanced data analysis in industrial IT systems.

-The research is based on our established competence areas within embedded sensor systems and strong industrial networks, where we can develop cutting-edge research that contributes to technology development in close cooperation with them. These include sensors that are self-sufficient for energy and have robust communication in industrial environments, said Bengt Oelmann, professor and project manager for NIIT.

Within the NIIT project, Telia will be one of the key industrial partners. Recently, the partners agreed on a new collaboration on the new 5G, the fifth generation mobile system, which means that Telia will establish a 5G network at Mid Sweden University in 2019 with a focus on the process industry.

-We are looking forward to exploring industrial applications of 5G, AI, and IoT primarily in the process industry together with Mid Sweden University. We think that this kind of collaboration, where academia and industry work closely together, is very important to drive innovation both regionally and nationally, says Mats Lundbäck, Chief Technology Officer, Telia Sweden.

Eight other projects have also been granted within this initiative, which will finance recruitment and competence enhancement to the Mid Sweden University research environments STC and FSCN.

-This venture enables recruitment of expert skills within IoT, two professors of AI, international guest professors and researchers who strengthen and develop our teaching and research nationally and internationally. In this way, Mid Sweden University will gain new skills that contribute to the region's development in the fields of industrial digitization and sustainable development, says Mattias O'Nils.

Mid Sweden University is one of six universities in Sweden, known as the KK Environment, the KK Foundation's single largest venture. The purpose of the KK environments is to provide the institutions with opportunities for long-term and strategic work, and they receive funds from the KK Foundation through annual business plans instead of seeking individual calls.