Liliana Ferreira|| Director
Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS|| 2 Research Units (Porto e Lisboa) ||+100 people
Why did Fraunhofer set up a centre in Portugal?
The decision to set up a Fraunhofer centre in Portugal, namely AICOS, in 2009 was driven by a strategic vision that recognised the country’s potential in science and technology. At that time, Portugal was going through a time of transformation, with a growing commitment to science and innovation, reflecting the desire to open up new horizons of opportunity. This desire was reflected in the strengthening of internationalisation and an increase in Portugal’s participation in collaborative Research and Development (R&D) networks at a global level.
Other factors that contributed to this decision include the quality of higher education in the country, which ensures access to highly qualified talent, and an environment favourable to innovation, with a strong synergy between the technological and scientific sectors. The proximity to universities of excellence, such as the University of Porto, was also fundamental in ensuring a direct link between academic research and the development of solutions applicable to industry. Portugal was, in fact, an ideal ecosystem for setting up a Fraunhofer centre, with all the conditions to promote innovation and knowledge.
Fraunhofer has been in Portugal for 15 years. What have been the main milestones along the way?
Since AICOS was founded in 2009, we have travelled a path of ambition, transformation and evolution. From the outset, we have collaborated with academia and industry to develop solutions that respond to the needs of an ageing population and the demographic changes we are experiencing, especially in the European context. Today, our portfolio includes competencies, technologies, and innovations that highly impact vital areas such as digital health and industry.
Among the most important milestones, I highlight the pioneering development of technologies to support active ageing, later adapted to respond to needs in key industry areas, with reference projects that began by positioning AICOS in digital health.
The creation and support for commercialising innovative solutions, such as fall detection algorithms, is an excellent example of the impact achieved. Initially designed to support the independent living of people with less autonomy or a more significant risk of falling, these algorithms have evolved, standing out for their transformation and application in new contexts. In 2015, Gociety Solutions, a Dutch company dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, integrated AICOS’ fall detection technology into its products. In 2020, this technology was expanded to new areas of application, namely the digital industry, by protecting unaccompanied workers, allowing greater safety in their daily routines. The success of this technology, now used by 1,200 workers through products commercialised by the French company Neovigie, illustrates the AICOS team’s ability to adapt and evolve its solutions for new markets and needs.
I would therefore say that AICOS’ journey is, above all, marked by the evolution of its team’s skills, the capacity for learning and collaboration with academia, industry, and the public sector, the ability to question and seek out different visions, opportunities, and needs, and the ability to involve the various actors, disciplines, and perspectives necessary for the development of technologies with a positive and lasting impact.
Which collaborative projects does Fraunhofer have underway with the university or industry?
Several projects are underway at AICOS, all developed in partnership and collaboration. Some are related to developing digital health solutions, including creating technologies for monitoring and supporting the early diagnosis of clinical conditions. Others promote collaborations in artificial intelligence, which is applied to healthcare environments and industry. In addition, we have projects that adopt future-orientated approaches, seeking to understand how advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, connected devices and data analysis can shape different sectors and influence our daily lives.
Among the various reference projects, I would like to link to three key ongoing projects involving industry and the University of Porto: AISym4Med, the Centre for Responsible AI, and Signo. Although already completed, I would highlight the OPERATOR project, as it illustrates particularly well the multidisciplinary vision of AICOS, allowing it to put into practice its competencies in the areas of User-Centred Design, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber-Physical Systems in the development of tools that ensure the physical and mental well-being of the industrial worker. Launched in 2020, OPERATOR is the result of a partnership between several institutions, such as AICOS, Zenithwings, NST Apparel, Volkswagen Autoeuropa, the Faculty of Science and Technology of the New University of Lisbon (FCT Nova), the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto (FPCEUP), the University of Minho (UM), the Institute of Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) and Controlconsul. The project is based on close and direct monitoring of professionals, studying their needs and observing elements such as ergonomic position, intensity, discomfort, working time and the local environment (such as temperature). From this study and monitoring, technology is designed and developed to prevent injuries or accidents at work and contribute to increased well-being, competitiveness and industrial modernisation.
What are the main challenges for Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS in the coming years?
The constant evolution and the context of growing uncertainty in societies bring significant challenges, which require a continuous capacity for transformation and creation. The digital innovations of the future must respond to societal concerns in a sustainable way, guaranteeing the participation of all and promoting the reduction of inequalities. A humanistic approach is, therefore, a key factor in technological development’s success and positive impact. Therefore, continuing to adopt these approaches in creating and developing digital technology is one of our priorities for the coming years.
In addition, we will continue to embrace the challenge of creating, designing and developing digital technologies that respond to the growing demands and need to improve the provision of healthcare (Digital Health); and we will continue to support and drive our clients and partners in their digital transformation, including the joint development of solutions that allow industrial processes to be optimised, promoting greater cost efficiency, greater worker well-being and, in this way, greater competitiveness (Digital Industry). At the same time, we have identified the need to question established paradigms, adapt to new circumstances and strengthen our critical mass and vision of the future, seeking to understand how technological advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT and data analysis can shape different sectors and our daily lives (Digital Futures).
The world is going through significant transformations, which requires a deep understanding of the role of science in a context of growing social, political and economic uncertainty. Industries and societies are operating rapidly, and emerging digital solutions, driven by new trends, are shaping new realities. To meet these challenges, we must maintain the interdisciplinary approach we bring to every project and initiative, combining technological innovation with a broad vision of social and economic needs. Therefore, strengthening collaborations and cooperation networks with universities, companies, and public institutions remains a critical success factor and an essential factor for the future of AICOS and Fraunhofer Portugal.
To what do you attribute Fraunhofer Portugal’s success?
The success of Fraunhofer Portugal, particularly AICOS, is down to people. It’s due to its dedicated and extended team, made up of all those who, present or past, have decided to think outside the box and have dared to question and create disruptive and excellent solutions over the years. This success is due to the strategic and dedicated vision these people bring to the institution, their capacity for constant innovation, the culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing they promote, and their ability to work closely with business and academic partners. These partners have also made and have made AICOS what it is today. These people think, create and evolve the positive and lasting impact we aspire to.
September 20, 2024
