Center for Distance-spanning Technology Annual Report 2021

2021

Centre for Distance-spanning Technology Annual Report

8 Mobilaris positions its AI work with the university

9 Increase trust in digital communication

8 Researchers will make it easier to create photo books

15 Working to make sure that AI are equal 44 New board member

40 New project will develop recycling of batteries 31 CDT’s extensive network covers both regional, national and European partners

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24 CDT is working with award winning and internationally leading researchers

23 Gender equality as a competitive advantage

18 Elderly care in focus for new 5G technology

11 Project will develop music creation at a distance

13 Working to develop solutions for full mobile coverage in rural areas

12 Forest inspection with autonomous drones

16 Mobile games will get young people to take their medication 14 New collaboration will help the national alpine team to ski faster Production: CDT, Luleå University of Technology Contact for the Annual Report: Marie Nolin, CDT, phone: +46 (0)725 26 20 70, e-mail: marie.nolin@ltu.se Graphic design & print: Luleå University of Technology, Graphic Production Photo: Per Pettersson, Linda Alfredsson, Melina Granberg, Shutterstock Images, Marie Nolin, Sofia Stridsman, LTU and others

21 PhD students participating in CDT projects

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CDT in brief The Centre for Distance-spanning Technology’s mission is to accelerate digital innovations for our partners, with desirable and sustainable impact based on high quality scientific research.

WE CONNECT ACADEMIA, INDUSTRY AND SOCIETY AT LARGE IN RESEARCH, DESIGN AND INNOVATION, INCLUDING KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PROCESSES OUR PARTNERS ARE: • IT users (companies, organisations, individuals) • IT developers (companies, IT departments) • Innovation and research supporting organisations • Policy and decision makers • Academia (students, teachers, researchers) • Public authorities

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CDT OPERATIONS ARE; RESEARCH, DESIGN AND INNOVATION INTEGRATION: • Projects • Proposals • Experimentation • Spin-off support

NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION • External (e.g. ENoLL, Net World 2020, EARMA, IoT Forum, Swedsoft, BDVA, AIOTI) • LTU internal, partners (e.g. meeting with researchers, partner networking and events) • Local: Luleå Business & Economic Development, IT Industry Association, RISE SICS North AB, Luleå Science Park • Experience of EU FP 4, 5, 6, 7, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe KNOWLEDGE INTEGRATION AND COMMUNICATION • Webinars • Workshops • Handbooks • Courses • Conferences FUTURE FUNDING INFLUENCE • Contribution to policies, roadmaps, lobbying, research agendas and programs • Future studies • Regional development plans

Key Areas We are looking for new collaborations in the following areas with great challenges, change and impact.

Internet of Things Computer systems today can be both cognitive and operational. They can replace human senses.

This means that people sometimes are no longer necessary to interface system and reality. This allows systems to entirely take over the daily operation of some businesses.

Data centers CDT is working towards making data centers energy and resource efficient and has a number of data center and cloud projects through the entire data center value chain from the ground to the cloud.

Communication networks CDT is active in the area of 5G testbeds and is looking for collaboration in areas such as Communication architectures, Wireless access networks, Wireless sensor networks and Communication in sparsely populated areas.

Become a CDT partner CDT offers an integrated environment of people, infrastructure, tools, processes and services for research, development, innovation and test.

CDT has an extensive network covering private and public sector, multinational enterprises and SMEs as well as academia and nonprofit organisations in Sweden and worldwide. CDT is not only a partner in a number of European Union projects. We are also a partner of the Alliance of Internet-of-Things Innovation (AIOTI) and the Big Data Value Association to name a few. CDT is hosting Open Innovation experimen-

tation environments to take research concepts to the reality, for example IoT Innovation Lab. One of our specialities is to generate and exploit ground-breaking innovations with and for our partners. Innovations may be in shape of new processes, new solutions, new products and new business.

For more information on how to become a CDT partner, contact us.

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The CEO Perspective The year 2021 continued in the footsteps of the pandemic, but we at CDT have still managed to carry out the business in a good way adapting to the Covid-19/ pandemic situation with the usual project work, organization of events and development of our business in general.

During the year, we won several new projects in areas such as public transport, mobile coverage in sparsely populated areas and 5G and edge computing in mines. During the year, Skellefteå municipality also decided to continue its membership in CDT for the next three years.

In terms of staff, Staffan Lundberg has joined CDT from Region Norrbotten, while Paula Wennberg retired after a long and faithful service at the university. Sadly, our colleague Arne Gylling passed away after a short period of illness, which is a very big loss for us.

Going forward, when many new collaborative programs are being launched, we are already planning a number of new project applications together with partners in all our main business areas; IoT, datacenters and telecommunications. Located in North Sweden, and having launched Creaternity, as one out of two future areas at the university, the ongoing large-scale green societal transformation also provides many new opportunities that we are currently looking into more closely along with developments around artificial intelligence, 5G communication networks, and edge computing. Feel free to contact us at any time if you have ideas on new projects to discuss!

With these words, I and my colleagues would like to conclude by thanking all partners for good cooperation in 2021 and look forward to many new collaborations in the future.

Luleå and Skellefteå, January 2022 Dr. Karl Andersson, Professor Executive Director 6

Some activities during 2021 The year 2021 was packed, despite the pandemic's continued impact. At CDT, we have continued to work on our projects and carry out a lot of external activities in digital format. Several new projects, many events and conferences and corporate initiatives have been implemented.You can read about some of the activities below.

Virtual meeting develops data center industry The annual meeting on Industry Development and Innovation in the Swedish data center industry was held this year as a digital half day.

CDT contributes to Diversity & Inclusion Guide The purpose of the guide is to help companies working in the Digital Infrastructure Industry to help attract, recruit and retain people from diverse backgrounds and help promote a culture of inclusive behavior.

The guide is based entirely on stories from people who have been on this journey and can help by sharing experiences and providing helpful insights and tips.

During the meeting, it was discussed how the data center industry is developing globally and nationally, what establishments of electricity-intensive industry mean for Sweden and how ideas and innovations for the data center industry can be developed to strengthen competitiveness. The meeting was arranged by the CDT project Datacenter Innovation Region together with Data Center by Sweden and Business Sweden.

More information is available at: www.datacenterinnovationregion.se

The guide can be read here: https://imasons.org/publications/di-bestpractice-guide/

Parcel box in Muodoslompolo Susann's country store in Muodoslompolo is involved in testing parcel boxes via the DigiBy project.

The parcel boxes will be evaluated in order to be part of the development of how they will be used in villages.

"We notice that people become more courageous to try new digital services when you need the services to solve their everyday life” says Johanna Lindberg, Project manager for DigiBy.

Test of connected 5G things The world's first automatic hand sanitizer dispenser, which is connected to the 5G network, is being tested at Teknikens Hus. The dispenser sends a signal when the hand alcohol is running out and the supplier refills more. The test is part of two 5G projects where researchers at Luleå University of Technology are investigating how lightning-fast, wireless communication can make inventions in healthcare work better. Also included in the test and development of the dispenser is the Luleå-based company Thingwave, an innovation company that works with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), primarily focused on the mining industry. The Campus and the surrounding area is currently a test area for 5G. The projects that run the test are 5G for health and care in Upper Norrland and Wireless Innovation Arena, funded by the ERDF. 7

CDT showed the smart social solutions of the future in Storuman On August 27, 2021, exhibitors from both the private and public sectors gathered at Storuman Airport. From Luleå University of Technology and CDT, three projects participated that showed how they contribute to the smart social solutions of the future.

One of the projects shown was 5G for healthcare in Upper Norrland. The project is behind the test environment within 5G that is now located at the hospital in Storuman. Another project that participated was #full coverage which is looking at the possibility of removing gaps in the coverage network in sparsely populated areas so that people can live and work throughout Sweden. Yet another project was Predictive Movement, that works to create a system change regarding parcel distribution in rural areas.

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Researchers will make it easier to create photo books AI researchers at Luleå University of Technology will investigate whether it is possible to automate the creation of photo books from a large collection of unsorted images.

The goal is to, with the help of Deep Learning and computer vision algorithms, select and group images for photo books with different themes, and to find patterns for how people are displayed. The work is done in collaboration with the Skellefteå-based company Once Upon Publishing and takes place within the framework of the project Applied AI DIH. Read more at www.aidih.se

Mobilaris positions its AI work with the university

5G company workshop

Mobilaris will initiate a collaboration with Luleå University of Technology and CDT with the purpose to identify, apply and demonstrate different AI methods regarding positioning information. The goal is to develop the ability and accuracy of the company’s existing solutions and look at how new services and products can be created. The collaboration will last for two years and is led by George Nikolakopoulos, professor of Robotics and Artificial.

Daniel Enström, CTO at Mobilaris says: –The collaboration with the university is really excellent. If we succeed, we will have several new applications we can productize and add to our portfolio with direct benefit for our customers.

During a digital workshop held in March, regional companies found out more about the 5G test environments in Luleå, Övertorneå, Skellefteå and Storuman and the opportunities that exist to carry out pilot tests and what has been tried so far. Speakers and themes included Opportunities with 5G Stand Alone, Ericsson Research, dedicated network services, Telia and 5G tests in, University of Oulu.

Increase trust in digital communication Annika Svensson one of IM100 CDT’s project manager Annika Svensson has been named by the organization iMasons as one of the 100 most important people who have contributed to the development of data centers and the infrastructure industry.

Researchers at Luleå University of Technology will, together with the company Substorm, investigate whether it is possible with the help of AI to increase trust in digital communication channels.

By collaborating with Luleå University of Technology, the company Substorm hopes to discover ways in which AI can be used to predict, analyze and improve trust in digital communication channels based on text.

Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) is an independent global organization for leaders and technicians active in the data center and digital infrastructure industry.

Annika says: “It is truly an honor to be noticed together with these global industry leaders who are all making fantastic efforts for development and sustainable growth in the data center industry.”

5G testbed at the health centre in Storuman In October 2021, the 5G testbed at the health centre in Storuman opened. The aim is that the testbed will result in innovative technical solutions and products. For researchers at Luleå University of Technology, the test bed provides good opportunities to test new technology in real environments.

New AI program The university has started a unique master’s degree program in applied artificial intelligence that combines knowledge from computer science, neuroscience and brain understanding. The goal is for students to learn to develop self-learning intelligent systems that can solve real problems.

Karl Andersson, Professor of Pervasive and Mobile Computing at Luleå University of Technology, emphasizes the benefits of the test bed: – We like to work with real use cases in real environments. For the university, it is important that the new technology is used in many different activities and that companies are given the opportunity to test new applications and services in health and care environments.

– 5G with its possibilities will simplify the work for the staff and it can contribute to better care for patients with more choices, says Pia Kristiansson, project manager in Local Health Care, Southern Lapland, Region Västerbotten.

Johannes Hörnberg, IT manager at Region Västerbotten, says: – I think it is good that we as a region can show the importance and possibility of 5G as an infrastructure for the whole of Sweden, even for sparsely populated areas.

The 5G test bed in Storuman is part of the project 5G for healthcare in Upper Norrland. Read more at www.5gvo.se 9

Luleå University of Technology will participate in Sweden’s reference group for Horizon Europe concerning cluster 4 - Digital, industry and space.

CDT 25 years & TEDx We celebrated CDT 25 years by arranging TEDxLuleåUniversityofTechnology. The theme for the event was “Change for Inclusiveness” and speakers included: -Gertrud Åström, business and organizational developer and one of Sweden’s leading gender equality experts.

-Hanna Linderstål, CEO of Earhart Business Protection Agency, which works to increase business and government knowledge about the impact of information and virtual threats.

-Anna Ståhlbröst, professor at the Department of Information Systems at Luleå University of Technology and involved in what the digital transformation does to people living in rural areas.

The representatives from the university are Jerker Delsing, Professor and Subject Representative, Cyperphysical Systems, Michael Nilsson, project manager at CDT and Pär-Erik Martinsson, operations manager at ProcessIT Innovations.

The main purpose of the reference group is to provide views and input to the program committee’s work with Horizons Europe’s work program for 2023-2024 and is advisory to the expert authorities Vinnova and the Swedish Space Agency.

Michael Carlberg Lax, CIO, Skellefteå Municipality and board member at CDT, gave a scenario analysis of the future of healthcare during the webinar ”Tomorrow’s connected care”.

-Meleknur Alevcan, winner of Luleå University of Technology Alumnus of the Year 2020.

From Tuesday December 7th to Thursday December 9th Arctic Challenge Hackathon took place at The Great Northern in Skellefteå. The Hackathon focused on Blockchain, 5G, Lora WAN, IoT Platform, Edge Computing and Information security.

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DigiBy held a project meeting in Moskosel with the opportunity to see three pilots; book bus with IT support, Moskosel’s information screen and the digital and unmanned store where DigiBy is involved in evaluating digital locks. Many participants thought it was especially fun to visit the book bus, which had traveled all the way from Piteå. In it, in addition to borrowing books, you can get help with digital advice.

Highlights 2021

Project will develop music creation at a distance A new project will facilitate music production at a distance. Through new technology such as 5G, among others things, researchers at Luleå University of Technology together with music creators will develop new ways to co-create music between people in different places.

Many benefits of virtual studios The ability to create music remotely has many benefits. It can reduce travel and contribute to sustainability goals. It can also provide greater access to artists, musicians and singer/songwriters and create meetings that would never have happened otherwise if it were not for a virtual studio.

Michael Nilsson, project manager at the Center for Distance-spanning Technology, CDT, at Luleå University of Technology says: -Corona made creating music in the usual way was no longer possible as no one could meet in a studio. The development of technology through, for example, 5G makes it possible to create music together at a distance. Before, musicians had to sit in a studio, now they can create in the place where they are most creative, for example, in nature.

Sounds as if the musicians are together in the same physical room The new project called BDSW Digital stage 2 will, among other things, carry out music tests via 5G together with Telia, Ericsson and ELK AB. 5G technology

reduces delay and means better sound quality for streamed music. Playing live online from different locations has previously been impossible, but with 5G, which is so many times faster than 4G, the time lag between musicians is dramatically reduced. This means that it is now possible to play together and make it sound as if the players are actually toghether in the same physical room.

Lectures, writing camps and online masterclass One of the participating parties in the project is BD pop, a development company for popular music from Norrbotten with the task of supporting regional artists and music productions. Over the years, they have worked with artists such as Movits !, Raubtier, Zacke, Mattias Alkberg, Kitok, Machinae Supremacy and The Magnettes.

Pär Soini, CEO of BD pop, thinks it’s fun that the project is underway.

-We will build a digital network and arrange a number of different activities.

There will be lectures, online writing camps and an online masterclass. We will gather participants from Norrbotten together with professional music producers, artists and Song writers from all over Sweden. It’s going to be really great!

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Highlights 2021

Forest inspection with autonomous drones Researchers at Luleå University of Technology will investigate how AI can improve the understanding and interpretation of information during forest inspections with the help of drones.

Many areas of use in forestry Inspecting forests using drones is already being done, but analyzing the collected imagery using artificial intelligence is not as developed.

Self-flying drones will become increasingly common in the future, especially in inspection assignments and when it can otherwise be difficult to get around, for example, in dangerous environments. The fact that the drones are fully automated leads to higher efficiency, reduced costs and minimized risks of personal injury.

Using autonomous drones in the forest industry in particular has many advantages. It can be anything from getting help in categorizing 12

trees to detecting forest fires. The drones can detect tree diseases, such as infestations by bark beetles, which makes it possible to quickly remedy the further spread of pests in healthy forests. Another area of use is to be able to warn of winds and storm-felled trees that, for example, block roads.

World-class research The work, which takes place within the framework of an EU project, is a collaboration between the Robotics Group at Luleå University of Technology and the Skellefteå-based company Conifer Vision, a company that works with AI

strategies for image analysis in forestry, renewable energy and the mining industry.

The robotics group, which will primarily carry out the work, is world-class in terms of robotics and drone technology. They work to demonstrate the use of robots under real conditions and fully connected to real needs. The research group has extensive experience of field robotics, i.e. robots operating in realistic environments outside laboratories and in their work, they will use the latest technology in computer vision and location of drones.

Optimize forest management The aim of the work is, among other things, to evaluate aerial photos and look at how to use AI in forest inspection. Roger Öhlund, CEO of Conifer Vision, says: – Today, ever higher demands are placed on forestry from a climate perspective. The system we are now developing will be autonomous and self-learning and contribute to objective and quantitative assessments to identify and optimize necessary forest measures for forest asset management.

Highlights 2021

Full mobile coverage in rural areas It is technically and economically possible to achieve full mobile coverage throughout Sweden, even in rural areas. By using technical and norm-breaking solutions, researchers at Luleå University of Technology will be able to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

– Ultimately, it is a matter about democracy and inclusion. All people, both in large cities and in sparsely populated areas, should have the same opportunities and access to digital services, says Karl Andersson, Professor of Pervasive and Mobile Computing.

Cellular networks have been rolled out for decades in Sweden. Usually it is done according to the market conditions: networks are not built further away from cities than the market allows. In the urban regions, the expansion has generated wealth and value. In rural areas, the economic conditions are worse and the differences have created an increasing gap between urban and rural areas. In 2019, mobile data speeds of 30 Mbit/s reached only 16 percent of Sweden’s land area.

– The government’s ambition is for Sweden to be the best in the world in terms of digitalization opportunities. Nevertheless, end users in rural areas are constantly denied advances in radio communications; the digital divide between rural

and urban environments has deepened with each new generation of mobile networks. We want to change that, says Karl Andersson.

New paradigm The researchers at Luleå University of Technology will apply a reversed approach as solution. Instead of the paradigm of starting in cities and continuing to rural areas, they flip the perspective. It is all about finding rural-specific solutions for everything from technology and products, to business models and infrastructure, and a final removal of the urban norm.

The project Full Coverage mainly addresses three challenges: inclusion, security and added value. Sparsely populated areas must have 100 Mbit/s, which the researchers believe can be achieved at low cost if the right technology is used, both residents and visitors must have mobile coverage everywhere to access health care, tour-

ism, agriculture and forestry, transport and mines.

No industries should be held back by a lack of communication.

Within the framework of the project, new ultra-large cell base stations in high towers, solarpowered autonomous base stations in remote places and so-called rural hotspots will be installed in locations of commercial and social importance.

– Our solutions are based on umbrella cells that cover large areas and are realized as high-mast solutions with high output power, and digital hotspots where we strengthen the coverage more locally, sometimes with autonomous base stations without a fixed power supply, says Karl Andersson.

– Financially, it is about finding new player constellations and business models that sometimes go against established patterns and established industry norms. Finally, the project also serves as a catalyzing collaboration platform for activities from parties and other actors outside the project.

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Highlights 2021

New collaboration will help the national alpine team to ski faster AI is becoming an important tool in the competition for Swedish Olympic and World Cup medals. Luleå University of Technology’s researchers in robotics and machine learning have started a collaboration with the Boden company TNTX with the goal of helping the alpine national team to ski faster and safer.

– Our skiers are in an extremely competitive environment where hundredths of a second differ between Olympic gold and an honorable fourth place.

Skiers are challenged not only by their competitors but also by the surrounding environment. By using modern technology and knowledge, we can now create opportunities for our athletes to focus entirely on optimizing their decisions during the ride, like a Formula 1 driver. Our goal is to compete for medals in all disciplines in the Olympics in Cortina 2026 and this collaboration is a big part of that ambition, says alpine manager Tommy Eliasson Winter.

New visualization tool The project aims to improve the performance of skiers. AI and a completely new visualization tool will help national team athletes understand more about the optimal racing line. In a virtual environment, skiers and leadership can quickly get feedback and compare in real time how a choice of racing line affects the time. Factors such as individual skiing technique and snow and weather conditions are also taken into account.

– We develop an AI and race line that is faster than the best skiers in the world. It makes it possible to study and compare your own race choices with an optimized line to quickly see how to improve. It is great that we, as a private com14

pany, make this a reality together with the alpine national team and Luleå University of Technology, says Thomas Vikström who has had a long career at Tesla in the USA. Together with the entrepreneur Thomas Lindgren – who has founded several companies in the gaming industry – Vikström has founded the company TNTX in Boden, which develops platforms for augmented and virtual reality with the goal of having a safer working environment in the mining, steel and forest industry. The technology can also be applied in sports.

– It is partly the same technology that is also used in self-driving cars today. We want to give the Swedish national team another tool to help them become the best in the world, says Thomas Vikström.

Years of experience New in the collaboration are Luleå University of Technology’s research groups in robotics and AI and machine learning.

– The robotics and AI team is bringing in know how in this project on AI in perception, localization and reasoning that has been developed for embedding autonomy in drones in multiple research and development projects for the last 15 years, says Professor George Nikolakopoulos, who leads Luleå University of Technology’s

research group in robotics and AI. Professor Marcus Liwicki leads the research group in machine learning.

– The team contributes with expertise on deep learning and reinforcement learning to optimize the racing part in the virtual environment.

Technologies that previously won in virtual racing environment and ATARI games will be tuned to work on the much more complex environment of downhill skiing, says Liwicki.

“Challenges current standards” Tommy Eliasson Winter points out that, for example, downhill skiers at the highest level have relatively few opportunities to train on slopes where World Cup competitions and championships are held.

– One of our best skiers, Felix Monsén, has been to Kitzbühel maybe eight times, the most experienced have practiced there on about 40 occasions. Thanks to the fact that the new tool simulates real environments, as in Kitzbühel, there is good potential to improve and shorten the skiers development over time. This can take our sport to a new level from a technological perspective and challenging current standards in terms of the ability to analyze and make datadriven decisions, says Tommy Eliasson Winter.

Highlights 2021

Working to ensure that AI is equal Artificial intelligence can help create discrimination. That is why the Machine Learning Group at Luleå University of Technology works actively to ensure that future AI solutions combat inequalities and improve gender equality.

In order for artificial intelligence, AI, to be able to act independently, it is trained in making different choices with the help of previous data. To ensure that the AI application do not maintain or even reinforce gender stereotypes, the system must be programmed correctly. On the one hand, there must be diversity and equality among those who code, and on the other hand, it is important to have a great awareness of the issues. All of this is something that the machine learning group is constantly working on.

Equal AI systems Foteini Simistira Liwicki, senior lecturer in machine learning, says: – In our group, we tried from the beginning to have as many women as men and to treat everyone in an equal way.

György Kovács, postdoctoral fellow in the same department, agrees: – We work hard to ensure that men and women have the same opportunities and are treated equally. The benefits of gender equality are many, it provides a better work environment, more job satisfaction and better results.

Develops AI technology for humans Gender equality work is also reflected in the work towards the companies and in the projects they work in, including the AI project Applied AI DIH North, which

includes a number of company cases. AI is dependent on data, lots of data. Algorithms model real data, and if gender inequality exists in society, it also exists in the data. Thus, there is a great risk that AI will also be unequal. As a result, developers may unknowingly add gender prejudices to AI systems.

Richa Upadhyay, PhD student in the group says: – This is really not the kind of development AI predicts. Therefore, it is just as important to develop an understanding of gender equality in our societies as it is to develop an understanding of our AI systems.

Foteini Simistira Liwicki, continues: – Because we develop AI technology for humans, it is important that the developed technology has the different opinions of all people and that it is not biased with regard to gender. Gender equality requires that both women and men are equally involved.

Hopeful future The field of computer science has been male-dominated for decades. It’s changing, but it’s slow. However, Foteini is hopeful.

– I am the educational leader for the new 5-year engineering program Applied AI, and for the first time a large number of women have applied for the program. It makes me so happy for our future in AI! 15

Highlights 2021

Mobile games will get young people to take their medication Researchers at Luleå University of Technology will, together with the company Mindforce Game Lab, look at the extent to which machine learning can help identify a person’s mood and inspire them to take better care of themselves. By developing interactive AI solutions, they hope to help people suffering from mental illness take their medication and keep track of their progress.

Help to follow the treatment plan The number of people suffering from mental illness has increased in recent years, but the available medical infrastructure does not meet demand. This was one of the reasons why the Skellefteå-based company Mindforce Game Lab began to develop an interactive mobile game that helps people change their behavior and achieve better health. The game, which is registered as a medical device, is aimed primarily at young people suffering from depression and bipolar disorder. The goal is for the user, with the support of a game and a game character, to increase the compliance of their treatment and establish healthy habits around food, sleep and exercise.

Anders Tånger, CEO of Mindforce Game Lab says: -In case of mental illness, it is important to follow 16

the treatment plan and take prescribed medication.

However, for various reasons, many patients do not take their prescribed medication. If you look at chronic diseases, both simpler and more serious diagnoses, the average is to complete your medication at about 50 percent. According to the WHO, the problem of people not taking their medication as they should, is more important to deal with than new breakthroughs for various medications.

Analyze behavior patterns The game, called “Fig, a ‘playtient’ journey”, uses a so-called “Tamagotchi effect” to create an emotional connection to the main character named “Fig” in the game. The assumption is based on the fact that caring for the character should inspire the user to take better care of themselves. In that the main

character in the game takes medication regularly and encourages the user to do the same. Using Artificial Intelligence, researchers will analyze the user’s behavioral patterns, and by using machine learning techniques, identify triggers and examine whether the person is improving or deteriorating, and allow the app to respond accordingly.

The work is part of an AI project The work takes place within the framework of the project Applied AI DIH North at Luleå University of Technology. The project aims to create a strong innovation system for growth in the AI industry. It runs for three years and is financed by the EU’s regional development fund (Tillväxtverket), Luleå University of Technology, Luleå municipality, Skellefteå municipality and the Norrbotten Region.

Highlights 2021

Center for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden - CH2ESS CH2ESS is a new research and knowledge initiative at Luleå University of Technology with a focus on hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, in close collaboration with Swedish industry.

Hydrogen is the key to a fossil-free energy systems and Luleå University of Technology is involved and secures that development in Sweden through groundbreaking research and skills supply. Luleå University of Technology is a strong research and education partner to the Swedish hydrogen industry with the aim of replacing fossils fuels and cope with the global climate change.

The university is investing 60 million Luleå University of Technology is investing 60 million over 6 years, but the ambition is to double the budget with funding from external actors.

Common to the players is an interest in the important research, innovation and pilot initiatives in the hydrogen area that are being implemented in northern Sweden. The starting point in CH 2 ESS is real needs and important challenges linked to these hydrogen investments.

Heavy experimental core Luleå University of Technology is planning a core of heavy experimental activities in the university’s pilot plant for fuel synthesis, LTU Green Fuels. There is the capacity to study electrolysis systems on an industrially relevant scale, to simulate industrial sub-processes and to carry out experiments that are too advanced or expensive for commercial plants. CH2ESS also invests in sub-projects that are theoretical or that use the advanced lab scale equipment available at the university.

500 engineers with a MSc degree with hydrogen expertise The large-scale investments in the hydrogen area, not least in northern Sweden, need a large number of engineers with a MSc degree and other qualified personnel with relevant skills. In collaboration with companies within CH 2 ESS, Luleå University of Technology further develops its research and education so that they match the needs for hydrogen competence. Within ten years, Luleå University of Technology CH 2 ESS has trained 500 engineers with a MSc degree with broad basic competence and relevant cutting-edge competence in the

hydrogen area, starting with the educations in the autumn of 2021.

Training for professionals Luleå University of Technology is also investing in tailor-made commissioned training for professionals and in a new scheme called the CH2ESS trainee, where students together with the companies employees solve specific challenges in the energy transition with hydrogen. For graduate engineering students at Luleå University of Technology, CH 2 ESS is a unique opportunity to become directly involved in the sustainable “Klondike-like” environment with research and development around hydrogen technology that is now gaining momentum in northern Sweden.

Many partners Partners in CH2ESS (Center for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden) are initially: LKAB, SSAB, Vattenfall, Hybrit, H2 Green Steel, Skellefteå Kraft, NTNU Energy Team Hydrogen at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Piteå municipality. In the long run, more stakeholders with a hydrogen interest will be included.

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Highlights 2021

Elderly care in focus for new 5G technology At a retirement home in Övertorneå, Luleå University of Technology has opened Sweden’s northernmost test bed for 5G. The purpose of the test environment is to facilitate the use of new technology in the care and nursing area. The first two innovations to be tested is a video conferencing system and a robot for digital home care.

– We hope that the test environment will stimulate innovation and new ideas, that companies will have the opportunity to test and demonstrate groundbreaking 5G-based products and services that can contribute to better and more quality care, says Karl Andersson, Professor of Pervasive and Mobile Computing and project manager for 5G at the department for health and social care in Upper Norrland.

Safe and fast Initially, there are two companies that will test their technical solutions in Övertorneå. The Luleå company Compodium will test a video communicationssolution, Vidicue, used in care contacts, and the care company Camanio will test a supervision robot that makes virtual visits to residents. 5G can contribute 18

with a secure and fast connection, two factors that are extra important when human interaction takes place via technology.

– We are used to testing and implementing welfare technology in the area of health and care. 5G gives us the opportunity to test new technology in a safe way, technology that aims to allow our users to maintain or increase their security, activity, participation and independence, says Aina Bleikvassli, e-coordinator at Övertorneå municipality.

Increased quality of life The test bed in Övertorneå has been developed in close collaboration with Telia. The test bed and investments such as the one in Övertorneå are important catalysts for the development of new services in order to be able to take advantage of the

opportunities 5G offers for both people and society.

– The 5G network in Övertorneå is the first in an environment like this. Together with the municipality, the region, Luleå University of Technology and local technology companies, we get the opportunity to explore how new digital aids can help healthcare to work smarter and contribute to increased quality of life for the elderly, says Magnus Leonhardt, Innovation Manager at Telia Sweden.

For Region Norrbotten, 5G can contribute with innovative solutions in a sparsely populated county.

– New 5G innovations are important for tomorrow’s smart services for digital care, not least for places outside urban areas. In a county as large as Norrbotten, it can compensate for the increased strain on health and care services that an aging population entails, says Staffan Lundberg, former regional digitization coordinator at Region Norrbotten.

Highlights 2021

Computer vision will identify material types on conveyor belts The company Optimation Advanced Measurements AB and Luleå University of Technology enter into cooperation to identify material types.

Specifically, the work is about identifying properties of materials in the process industry. Examples of use are found in the mining, pulp and paper and steel industries and the focus is on improving the sensing system. With the solution, it is hoped to be able to ensure that the correct material is on, for example, a conveyor belt and to be able to identify if deviations such as boulders or rock bolts enter the belt.

Lars Lindqvist, CEO of Optimation Advanced Measurements AB, says: - With the help of the Applied AI DIH North project, we hope to be able to improve our products both in the long and short term. We also see it as an opportunity to deepen our own competence in the area. At the same time, we hope to be able to contribute with a good connection to the industry’s needs, with its challenges in data collection.

Michael Nilsson, project manager, says: - Luleå University of Technology will carry out applied research in computer vision to find a new

method for solving material type classification. The competence of the university’s machine learning group will in a good way complement Optimation’s domain knowledge to work with this issue and thereby accelerate the innovation process. Our hope is to develop an adaptable solution that can be practiced for educational purposes.

The work takes place within the framework of the project Applied AI DIH North. The project aims to create a strong innovation system for growth in the AI industry. It runs for three years and is funded by the EU Regional Development Fund (Tillväxtverket), Luleå University of Technology, Luleå Municipality, Skellefteå Municipality and Region Norrbotten.

Read more at: http://www.aidih.se

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Highlights 2021

Digital platform for a living countryside To meet the great need for labor in northern Sweden, more people need to choose to move here. Residents of the village of Vuollerim, in collaboration with researchers and students at Luleå University of Technology, have designed a service that is based on the user’s needs and will match people with the right village to settle in. Suggestions for different interfaces and prototypes of functions have been developed. The service is under development and will be a digital platform in the form of a mobile application.

In the coming years, multi-billion sums will be invested in various projects in northern Sweden where the region can become a world leader in the green transition towards a fossil-free society. The need for labor is therefore great. The urbanization that took off in the middle of the 20th century and then accelerated at an ever faster pace, has meant that the countryside has for a long time struggled against a declining working-age population. The trend, however, is that more and more people want to live in or move to rural areas, not least as an effect of the current corona pandemic. Moving from the city’s pulse to the calmer life with security and proximity to nature and outdoor life is nevertheless a big step.

Digital help finding the right village Researchers at Luleå University of Technology, in collaboration with students and residents in the village of Vuollerim, in the municipality of Jokkmokk, have designed a digital service that will be developed based on the user’s need to match people with their “dream village”.

- For more people to dare to move, information and knowledge about what functions and 20

services are available in each village is needed, says Johanna Lindberg, doctoral student in the research area information systems at Luleå University of Technology, and adds that schools, outdoor activities and job opportunities are all important components to create a life in the countryside that one thrives on.

Good start for lasting well-being The digital platform will be developed so that people can make decisions about where they want to live in the country. Making a move as smooth as possible creates better conditions for getting a good start in the new place of residence, which increases the chance that well-being will be lasting in the long term.

- There is often talk of “soft landing” when it comes to companies establishing themselves in a new place, i.e. landing calmly and softly. With the help of a digital tool, those who move here for work can land safely, says Johanna Lindberg.

Populated, active and growing rural areas are important to society, and modern technology creates good conditions for development. One of the biggest challenges for rural areas is to have a sufficiently

large population to be able to maintain and develop commercial services on site.

- We want to contribute with knowledge about digital technology that helps people live a sustainable life, so that more people dare to take the step to move to, live and work in rural areas, says Johanna Lindberg.

- Vuollerimbygden’s grassroots root entrepreneurs, who have initiated the idea, have driven several social innovations over the years, and they have collaborated with, among others, Luleå University of Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Learning Society, says Evalena Skalstad, chairman of Lapland Vuollerim.

In Vuollerim, there is, among other things, a welldeveloped infrastructure to welcome entrepreneurs and families who want to move to the area.

- We have a service point that can physically receive and be a contact point for information about the area’s offer, says Elisa Echeverria, chairman of Vuollerimbygdens Economic Association.

Highlights 2021

PhD students in CDT projects CDT has never funded as many doctoral student projects as in 2021. During the year, many doctoral students had their main student project funded through CDT. Below you can read about some of them and what they research.

Anton Koval PhD Student in 5G Edge Innovations for Mining, research robotics and artificial Intelligence.

Akash Patel PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research autonomous exploration of subterranean environments with aerial and legged robots.

Richa Upadhyay PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research machine learning.

Moumita Mukherjee PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research robotics and artificial intelligence.

Prakash Chandra Chhipa PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research machine learning.

Andreas Papadimitriou PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research air-based actuated robots for inspection, repair and exploration purposes.

Björn Lindqvist PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research safe autonomous navigation and robotic search-and-rescue

Simin Hajizadeh PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenter, research datacenter’s interaction with the national energy system.

Maryam Pahlavan Nodeh PhD student in Applied AI DIH North, research Natural Language Processing and ASR-Auto Speech Recognition.

Faryal Junaid PhD student in Arctic 5G Test Network, research 5G solutions to optimize connectivity.

Saeed Khorashadi Zadeh PhD student in Arctic 5G Test Network, research service discovery in pervasive mobile computing.

Karl Ekström PhD Student in Applied AI DIH North, research cyberphysical systems.

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Highlights 2021

Cristina Ramos Cáceres PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenter, research multifunctional data centers.

Hampus Ljungkvist PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenter, research evaluation of energy recovery solutions for data centers.

Kazi Main Uddin Ahmed PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenter, research design of distribution networks for energy efficient data center operations.

Jil Sutaria PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenter, research design of distribution networks for energy efficient data center operations.

Yomn Elmistikawy PhD student in Wireless Innovation Arena, research user engagement in the digital innovation of 5G products and services.

Emad Farouk Ibrahim PhD student in Arctic 5G Test Network, research 5G solutions that can improve rural connectivity.

Johanna Lindberg PhD student in DigiBy, research digitizing rural areas.

Yulia Berezovskaya, PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenters, research automated maintenance of energyefficient data centers.

Johan Simonsson, PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenters, research flexible and large-scale simulation of interaction between district heating and remote cooling networks and data centers.

Henrik Barestrand PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenters, research quality and credibility when simulating cooling in data centers.

Ahmed Afif Monrat PhD Student in Cloudberry and Datacenter Innovation Region, research Pervasive and Mobile Computing.

Morteza Alizadeh PhD Student in DIT4BEARs, research Pervasive and Mobile Computing.

No picture available: Johannes Sjölund PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenters, research transient simulations of data center dynamic thermal management arrangements.

22

Sebastian Fredriksson PhD student in Cloudberry Datacenters, research proximity liquid cooling inside data centers for direct heat recovery.

Highlights 2021

Gender equality as a competitive advantage On December 2, Gender Contact Point Day 2021 took place with the theme Gender Equality Culture.

Almost 200 digital participants from all over Sweden listened to Northvolt, Tromb, Volvo Cars, TietoEVRY and many more.

The program included Gender equality training for engineers Maria Udén, Professor of Gender and Technology, Luleå University of Technology Growth by 25,000 people within five years. How does it happen on an equal footing?

Claes Nordmark, chairman of Norrbotten’s Municipalities and Mayor of Boden Municipality and participant in the project T: 25 To build the impossible - an equal technology company Sofi Elfving, CEO and co-founder, Substorm

The value-driven company: to make a difference with the human being in focus Karin Sjöö-Åkeblom, incoming CEO, Tromb Andreas Nilsson, CTO, Thromb How technology can contribute to increasing diversity in recruitment and skills supply Anna Gulliksen, Global head of Talent Acquisition and Employer Brand, TietoEVRY

Northvolt’s work to build a gender-balanced organization Katarina Borstedt, Manager of Growth, Northvolt

Panel: Lessons on finding, attracting and retaining talent Stefan Lindbäck, CEO, Lindbäcks Group Sara Json Lindmark, business developer, Luleå Science Park Phillip Tretten, assistant professor, Luleå University of Technology Henrik Enberg, HR & Team Manager, Elastisys Saila Piippola, senior lecturer in work science, Luleå University of Technology

Educational investment that broke gender patterns Tina Bäckström, project manager, LTU Business

The event was hosted by Åsa Wikberg-Nilsson, Associate Professor and Björn Backe, CDT

Women make good decisions Charlotta Ahlberg, Strategy Analyst, Volvo Cars

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Cross-disciplinary research collaboration Our collaboration with LTU’s research groups remains a very important component of our work.

Today, we collaborate actively with several different areas of research.

Accounting and Control Accounting is often described as “the language of business” and it is used to communicate financial and non-financial information internally and externally to the organization.

Control refers to the mechanisms used to manage an organization so that it moves towards its objectives.

CONTACT: Anders Hersinger, Chaired Professor anders.hersinger@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491095

Architecture The research team sees architecture, design, economic, practical and functional design integrated with the aesthetic, harmonious, and symbolic dimensions. It also includes what architecture means for the relationship between people, nature, history and built environment in the various levels of society.

CONTACT: Agatino Rizzo, Chaired Professor agatino.rizzo@ltu.se +46 (0)920 493438 24

Automatic control Automatic control is “the science of automated systems”. Simply put, automatic control theory is about to control systems so that they behave as desired.

CONTACT: Thomas Gustafsson, Chaired Professor thomas.gustafsson@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491323

Construction Management and Building Technology Technical solutions, tools, methods and organising for the planning, information management and control of sustainable and integrated industrialized construction and business processes.

CONTACT: Lars Stehn, Chaired Professor Lars.Stehn@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491976

Cyber-Physical Systems Focus is on fully integrated software and application architectures with implementations of highly distributed embedded systems. The systems interact with each other and their surroundings to enable secure, goaloriented, autonomous and developable solutions.

CONTACT: Jerker Delsing, Chaired Professor jerker.delsing@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491898

Dependable Communication and Computation Systems The research subject focus on cyber physical systems and Internet of Things, simulation of complex distributed systems, agent-based architectures and bio inspired control in complex industrial infrastructures, among other things.

CONTACT: Valeriy Vyatkin, Chaired Professor valeriy.vyatkin@ltu.se +46 (0)920 492505

Electric Power Engineering Electric power engineering covers studies of sustainable systems for production of electrical energy, transport of electrical energy and the interaction between the power grid, electricity production and electricity consumption.

CONTACT: Math Bollen, Chaired Professor math.bollen@ltu.se +46 (0)910 585713

Electronic Systems New The research subject includes electronic design, measurement technology and electromagnetic compatibility for control, monitoring and instrumentation of technical processes and systems.

CONTACT: Jonny Johansson, Acting Chaired Professor Jonny.Johansson@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491703

Energy Engineering Energy engineering concerns the development of technologies and processes in order to build a sustainable energy supply.

CONTACT: Marcus Öhman, Chaired Professor marcus.ohman@ltu.se +46 (0)920-491977

Entrepreneurship and Innovation The subject deals with development of firms and organizations with a specific focus on business development based on

innovative products and services, production solutions or ways to lead and organize activities.

CONTACT: Vinit Parida, Chaired Professor vinit.parida@ltu.se +46 (0)920-492469

Fluid Mechanics

Focus is on flow through porous media, multiphase flow, flow with free surfaces and in-stationary flow.

CONTACT: Staffan Lundström, Chaired Professor staffan.lundstrom@ltu.se +46 (0)920 492392

Human Work Sciences

The research is interdisciplinary, with close cooperation between engineers and sociologists. Many research projects are carried out together with the other research topics in the Division of Humans and Technology or other research groups, both nationally and internationally.The projects are often need-driven, conducted in collaboration with stakeholders in the society.

CONTACT: Lena Abrahamsson, Chaired Professor lena.abrahamsson@ltu.se +46 (0)920 492107

Industrial Marketing

Industrial Marketing involves activities and processes for creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers and other stakeholders.This includes marketing of goods, services, and information between organizations and their customers. Marketing across international borders and in digital channels are areas of particular importance for the subject, as well as services marketing, tourism, and branding.

CONTACT: Maria Ek Styvén, Chaired Professor Maria.Styven@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491501

Information Systems Information Systems covers design and use of information technology in relation to people, organizations and societies.

CONTACT: Anna Ståhlbröst, Chaired Professor Anna.Stahlbrost@ltu.se +46 (0)920 492091

Machine Learning

The Machine Learning group started in July 2018 and targets fundamental and application-oriented research in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, including deep learning, pattern recognition, and human computer interaction; with applications in digital humanities, education, document analysis, and Industry 4.0.

CONTACT: Marcus Liwicki, Chaired Professor marcus.liwicki@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491006

Industrial Design Industrial design research is conducted within, among other things, engineering technology and development of methods used with modern design technology, multidisciplinary collaboration in design, cultural aspects of global design and ergonomics and design.

CONTACT: Anders Warell, Chaired Professor anders.warell@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491601

Pervasive and Mobile Computing Pervasive and mobile computing address distributed systems and mobile networks, which enable mobility, ubiquity and interactivity of computers, data, software and users.

CONTACT: Christer Åhlund, Chaired Professor chister.ahlund@ltu.se +46 (0)910 585331

Robotics and AI

The Robotics team is world class when it comes to Robotics and specifically drone technology. As part of NASA’s team in the Subterranean Challenge, they successfully came in second place in the world in the first circuit of the prestigious competition.

CONTACT: George Nikolakopoulos, Chaired Professor george.nikolakopoulos@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491298

Signal Processing

Luleå University of Technology established Sweden’s first professor’s chair in Signal Processing in 1988. Current research areas are flexible radio communications and signal processing methods in measurement technology applications.

CONTACT: Jaap van de Beek, Chaired Professor jaap.vandeBeek@ltu.se +46 (0)920 493383 25

Results Our aim is to identify highly innovative and novel research findings with technical and commercial potential.We also need to export these ideas to society and companies by creating sustainable business innovation.

Post-Graduate Degrees Accumulated

Moreover, our research groups at Luleå University of Technology is a key asset of our activities. To secure continuous world class innovations, academic achievements are of great importance to us. Consequently, we measure the number of publications, reports, Doctoral degrees as well as how many Licentiate degrees that receives their hats each year.

CDT in figures 2018-2021 Results and Achievements

2021

2020

2019

Professors/Associate Professors

3

Ph D degrees

1

4

Licentiate degrees

5

Publications/reports

17

16

1

17

2018

2

20

Spin-off 1

26

Products/Prototypes/ Applications/Patents

2

2

6

16

Demonstrations/Trials/User studies

23

11

28

13

Awards

1

4

2

1

External events

34

27

13

14

Media presence

35

21

13

External impact

9

26

38

Active Gender equality activities

8

6

6

7

Professors/ Associate Professors Anita Mirijamdotter Anna Ståhlbröst Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn Dick Schefström James P LeBlanc Jeaneth Johansson Karl Andersson Kåre Synnes Malin Malmström Mari Runardotter Mikael Wiberg Olov Schelen Peter Parnes Wolfgang Birk Doctors Abdolrasoul Habibipour Ali Padyab Anders Lindgren Anna Ståhlbröst Anton Koval Aya Rizk Dan Johansson Daniel Granlund Dick Schefström Eva Källhammer Frank Sjöberg Jan-Jaap van de Beek Jeremiah Scholl

Johan Karlsson Johan Kristiansson John Lindström Josef Hallberg Juwel Rana Kåre Synnes Lara Lorna Jimenez Lars-Åke Larzon Malin Malmström Manuel Alvarez Marita Holst Mikael Degermark Mikael Drugge Mikael Sundström Niklas Karvonen Olov Schelén Per Ödling Peter Parnes Raihan Ul Islam Roland Hostettler Roland Parviainen Thomas Pederson Ulf Bodin Licentiates Ahmed Afif Monrat Ali Padyab Anders Lindgren Andreas Jonsson Andreas Papadimitriou Anna Ståhlbröst

Dan Johansson Daniel Granlund Frank Sjöberg Helena Oskarsson Jeremiah Scholl Johan Karlsson Johan Kristiansson Johan Nykvist Josef Hallberg Josefin Lassinantti Kåre Synnes Lars-Åke Larzon Laurynas Riliskis Lena Palmqvist Marcus Nilsson Martin Sehlstedt Mats Folke Matthias Wahlqvist Mikael Drugge Morteza Alizadeh Nosheen Abid Oluwatosin Adewumi Pierre Fransson Raihan Ul Islam Richard Nilsson Robert Granlund Roland Parviainen Stefan Elf Tomas Nilsson Ulf Bodin Ulrika Wiss

Results marked with a grey background are this year’s results.

Spin-off companies CDT supports and finances the commercialization process of research innovations. A powerful way to do this is the generation of commercial spin-off companies. Since start, CDT has been involved in the forming of many spin-off companies based on academic research from Luleå University of Technology. The creation of these companies is beneficial to local economic development in the region.

Actegra – A design, product development and manufacturing company of electronic equipment for wireless communications and positioning. The concept behind the company arose in year 2009. In 2011, the collaborations with the CDT project “Sense Smart City”, was one of the factors that led to that the company expanded its activities and registered as a limited liability company. www.actegra.se iGW – A company focusing on a developing infrastructure for collection, management and visualization of large amounts of data. www.igw.se Oricane AB – The target customers of the company are vendors of software based network equipment, such as routers and firewalls, as well as vendors of custom hardware classification engines for high-end network equipment, 2006. www.oricane.se Parnes Labs – Realizes dreams in the realm of development for the Web, Android, iPhone/iPad and just about anything related to the Internet! www.parnes.com/labs Adela Innovation AB – A company developing products and services within area of enabling people to receive and listen to speech news-papers, 2008. www.adela.nu Rubico AB – A company targeting the Swedish market for digital audio newspaper receivers/recorders, 2004. www.rubico.se

Marratech AB – An Internet company developing products and services, which facilitate meetings between people on Internet, so called e-meetings, 1998. Bought by Google 2008, now a part of Google toolbox. www.marratech.com Effnet AB – A developer of Internet Protocol (IP) header compression technologies, 1997. www.effnet.com IT Norrbotten AB – A regional development company with the objective to create economic growth and develop work and industry in Norrbotten, 1996. www.itnorrbotten.se Bollen Labs – A company that experiment with new ways to interact with computers, and new types of data visualization. www.bollenlabs.com Skylite Affärsutveckling AB - The company offers qualitative services in digital business development, with expertise in project management, collaboration development, Business Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence. www.skylite.se Team Tools Sweden AB - A company that develops simple and effective digital services for managing financial flows, administration and incomegenerating activities in associations. www.teamtools.se

Operax AB – Operax develops key technology for data and telecommunication over Internet and Intranet within fixed and mobile systems, 2000. www.operax.com

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Awards Infra Awards

The project Predictive Movement won second place in Infra Awards in 2021.

Winner: Datatadriven innovation

The project Predictive Movement won “Sveriges paketombud” and their data driven innovation challenge in 2020.

IM 100

CDT’s project manager Annika Svensson was named by the organization Infrastructure Masons as one of the 100 most important people who have contributed to the industry in 2020.

Finalist: Challengegov

The project Predictive Movement was finalist in the Challengegov competition in 2020.

New entrepreneur of the year

Partner company Team Tools won “New entrepreneur of the year” at the Boden Business gala in 2020.

Best Impact Maker

Team Pay was awarded best Impact Maker in the Venture Cup Regional Final in Start-up, Region North 2019.

Norrbotten’s Equality Award NOMINATION

Paula Wennberg at CDT was nominated to Norrbotten’s Equality Award 2019.

Norrbotten’s Equality Award NOMINATION

Paula Wennberg at CDT was nominated to Norrbotten’s Equality Award 2016.

Award received by Ph D student Juwel Rana, LTU, Associate Professor Kåre Synnes, LTU and Stefan Håkansson and Johan Kristiansson at Ericsson in 2012, Sweden.

Best Student Paper Award

The International Conference on Social Computing and its Applications awarded Juwel Rana, Kåre Synnes and Johan Kristiansson “Best Student Paper Award”, in November 2012, in Xiangtan, China.

IT Personality of the Year

Dataföreningen i Norr, awarded Professor Christer Åhlund “IT personality of the year 2012”, in Skellefteå, Sweden.

Best Idea

Awarded the research project Sense Smart City at the European summit on the future of Internet in Luxembourg, 2011.

IT Organization of the Year

Awarded CDT in year 2011 from the IT society in Norrbotten, Sweden.

Chester Carlson Prize NOMINATION

Best Presentation Award

Awarded Mikael Sundström at ItechPartner Forum in Porto, Portugal, in 2007.

Best Paper

Awarded Christer Åhlund, Robert Brännström, Karl Andersson, and Örjan Tjernström for ”Multimedia Flow Mobility in Heterogeneous Networks Using Multihomed Mobile IPv6” at The 4th International Conference on Advances in Mobile Computing and Multimedia in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2006.

Best New-Establishment In Luleå

Rubico AB, a CDT-offspring, awarded for the best new establishment in Luleå in 2006.

Competitive Regions Best Practice 3 VITAL Project selected for presentation in Magdeburg, Germany, 2005.

Best Student Paper

Awarded Anna Hedman, David Carr, Hans Nässla in year 2004 for “Browsing thumbnails: A comparison of three techniques” by ITI2004 in Croatia.

Ericsson Inventor of the Year

Awarded Krister Svanbro at Ericsson in year 2001 for Header compression by Ericsson.

Finalist Mikael Sundström in 2009 by IVA for efficient compression, storage and retrieval of information.

No 1 Swedish Research Project

Best Paper NOMINATION

No 1 Swedish Researcher “Chester Carlson Prize”

Awarded Bigitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Marita Holst and Anna Ståhlbröst for “Concept Design with a Living Lab Approach at HICSS-42 at Big Island, Hawaii, in 2009.

SBAPA Award

Awarded Rocco project in 2000 by magazine Ny Teknik.

Awarded Mikael Degermark in year 2000 for “high performance routing” by IVA.

European Grand IST Prize

FINALIST

Received by Kimmo Yliniemi (KYAB) in 2008.

Awarded Marratech AB in year 2000 in Nice by the European Commission.

Awarded Associate Senior Lecturer Damiano Varagnolo, Luleå University of Technology in 2015 from Norrbottens Forskningsråd.

Mobile Technology of the Year 2008

Best Paper

Awarded Oricane in 2008.

Best Exhibitor

Awarded Mikael Degermark in year 2000 for “high performance routing” by ACM/SIGCOM.

The Competence Gala´s Great Honorary Prize

European Grand IST Prize (1st)

Shared by Östen Mäkitalo and Anton Abele in 2008.

Awarded Effnet AB in year 1999 in Helsinki by the European Commission.

European Grand Ict Prize FINALIST

1st Prize In Swedish Innovation Cup

Young Researcher Prize

Awarded the CDT project USEMP during the ICT Days 2015 in Lisbon.

Spin-off of the year

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Ericsson Patentable Invention Award

The CDT spin-off company KYAB receive the award “Spin-off of the year 2013” from the Luleå University of Technology.

GULDMOBILEN

Awarded Operax AB in year 2007 by the European Commission.

1998: Brodnik/Carlsson/Degermark/Pink – The Luleå Algorithm

FINANCES Enabling our efforts

CDT is mainly financed by institutional sources, both nationally and internationally.

This is for example EU framework programs and structural funds, along with national and regional governments.

CDT is a non profit organization. Nonetheless, a strong financial position helps us achieve our goals by being able to better support the projects we are involved in.

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Balance Sheet (SEK ´000) Liquid assets Receivables Fixed assets Total Assets

2021 9 969 13 557 58 23 584

2020 -584 15 132 85 14 633

2019 - 184 10 723 118 10 657

Accounts payable Advance payments Personnel liabilities Loan Total Liabilities

2 781 13 754 0 1 950 18 485

870 4 748 9 4 596 10 223

1 460 5 801 119 602 7 982

4 409 690 5 099

2 676 1 734 4 409

1 465 1 211 2 676

23 584

14 633

10 657

2021 11 562 6 709 1 116 848 0 803 21 038 4 750 11 635 507 585 354 26 1 943 547 20 348

2020 10 716 6 057 1 078 776 1 000 868 20 494 3 685 11 613 430 402 380 33 1 414 803 18 760

2019 8 687 6 954 763 900 1 1 499 18 804 3 676 8 722 425 1 759 1 398 33 1 200 329 17 593

690

1 734

1 211

Profit or loss brought forward Profit or loss for the financial year Total Capital Total Liabilities and Capital

Income Statement (SEK ´000) Governmental authorities Other governmental funding Municipalities Private companies Private foundations Foreign funding Income Personnel costs External services Premises Equipment Travel Depreciation Indirect costs Other costs Costs Income for the Year

CDT Income 2021 (SEK ´000) CDT Income 2021-2019 (SEK ´000) 2021 7 204 10 109 803 848 2 074

2020 6 822 8 912 866 778 2 116

Other (private foundations) Income 21 038

1 000 20 494

18 804

In-kind contribution of the partners Transfer of funds to the external partners Transfer of funds to the internal partners (LTU) Total inkind and transfer

21 864 13 906 22 288 58 058

18 141 9 158 16 326 43 625

11 976 6 507 10 875 29 357

Financial Turnover (Net)

79 097

64 119

48 161

EU structural Funds Research Foundations European Commission Companies Luleå University of Technology

30

2019 6 546 8 257 1 493 906 1 601

EU structural Funds 7 204

Total Transfer of funds 36 194

Research Foundations 10 109 European Commission 803 Financial turnover (Net) 79 097

Companies 848 Luleå University of Technology 2 074

Inkind contributions of the partners 21 864

Our Network

-One of our strongest assets CDT offers an integrated environment for efficient cross-border collaboration between universities, commercial companies, governments and end users.

Our partners come from different organizations and working cultures, located at different geographical sites. CDT’s goal is to be a preferred R&D meeting place.We have for several years invested in building long-term alliances with selected national

and international scientific communities as well as business partners.

Today, we consider our network one of our strongest assets, including many companies, organisations and research centres.

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Partners CORE PARTNERS Ericsson Luleå University of Technology Skellefteå Municipality

COMPANIES Swedish SMEs

32

3eflow 5 High Innovations Acon Agio Arctic Group Arctic Space Arctos Labs Bensby Rostfria Björnmamman Bnearit BIM Ctrl BI Nordic Boxmodul Centropy Codemill Compodium Conifer Curest Cyberty Damill AB Designtech Earhart Ecoloop Effnet Eistec Elastisys ePosture Exeri Explizit Fortlax Gassecry Gode Bra Grepit H-J Produkter AB Hello Future Hydro 66 Idepoolen iGW Infobaleen Innan iNorth IsMobile IT4U Iteams Solutions iTid Johannas stadsodlingar

LennoxPR Lindbäcks Lunet Mindforce Game Lab Mirror Mobilaris MosquitoCloud N66 Connect Neava Netrounds Noah NUITEQ ONar Once Upon OnLine Marina Optimation Oricane Peckas Tomater Photon Sports PosterMarket Predge Raytelligence RDY Arena Samuraj Service Node Shimmercat SITE Skylite Smart Recycling Substorm Susanns livs AB Sweco SWERIM Team Tools Teamtech Tebrito ThingWave TLGY TnTX Tromb WideFind Xarepo

Swedish Industry ABB Atea Atlas Copco BI Nordic Bodens Energi Combitech E.On Ericsson Fortlax LKAB Luleå Energi Martinssons

Metria Node Pole Nordlo Elevate Ragnsells Skanska SKF Skellefteå Kraft Sogeti Swebio SWECO Telia Tieto Vattenfall

International Arbon Energie AG Archimède Solutions BALance Technology Consulting City Passenger Domina organisation logistics DunavNET FNHT Hexatronic Cables & Interconnect Holonix IBM InfoVista INNOVA Intel iTeam Mandat International Martel Innovate Micuna NEC Netmore Piacenza cashmere Planet Media POD COMP Radio Innovation SAMPOL Mallorca Siemens Switzerland Smart Venice srl SRDC Stembert Design TWT Whirldpool

PUBLIC SECTOR Swedish municipalities Arjeplog Arvidsjaur

Boden Dorotea Gällivare Haparanda Jokkmokk Kalix Kiruna Luleå Lycksele Norsjö Pajala Piteå Skellefteå Sorsele Storuman Umeå Vilhelmina Västervik Åre Älvsbyn Överkalix Övertorneå

Other City of St Petersburg Dalarna County Kalmar County Lapin Liitto

NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS Aidimme Arctic Business Argentis - Arjeplog näringsliv Blockchain Association Boden Utveckling Business Sweden EARMA ENEA ENOLL EURES Fevama Folkbiblioteket i Piteå FPN - Forskningsparken i Narvik Frivilliga flygkåren iMEC Infrastructure Masons Insamlingsstiftelsen för totalförsvarsstudier IT-branschrådet Luleå IT Norrbotten Laevas sameby LTU Business

Luleå Business Region Luleå Science park Luleå skärgårdsförening Länstrafiken Norrbotten Mandat International Moskosels Framtid Nordic Innovation Norrbotten Chamber of Commerce Polismyndigheten Regionbiblioteket Norrbotten SACO Salzburg Research Samarkand2015 SDIA - Swedish Datacenter Industry Association Servicepunkten Edefors Skellefteå Digital Alliance Småskärens intresseförening Statens Veterinärmedicinska Anstalt (SVA) Strukturum - Näringslivsutveckling Jokkmokk Sveriges paketombud Teknikens Hus Teknikkvinnor Totalförsvarets Forskningsinstitut (FOI) Trafikverket Uminova Unbyn servicepunkt Vetenskap och Allmänhet Winnet Sverige Västerbotten Chamber of Commerce

UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES Aalto University Athens Institute of Economics and Business Bremen University CTI Diophantus Donau University Hochschule Aachen Lapin University of

Applied Sciences London LUT University ITMO University Karlstad University Lunds universitet Mid Sweden University Northern arctic federal university Patras RISE Skogforsk Stellenbosch University Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet SLU SWERIM Tecnalia Research and Innovation The Arctic University of Norway TU Vienna Umeå universitet Universita della Swizzerra Italiana University of Bologna University of Gothenburg University of Kwazulu-Natal University of Lapland University of Oulu Uppsala Universitet Örebro University

PROJECT SPONSORS Bodens Municipality Energimyndigheten FORMAS Horizon 2020 Interreg Nord Jordbruksverket Kempe Foundation Kolarctic (Lapin Liitto) Luleå Business Region Luleå Municipality Piteå Municipality Region Norrbotten Region Västerbotten Skellefteå Kraft Skellefteå Municipality Storuman Municipality Tillväxtverket - ERUF Vinnova Älvsbyn Municipality

Our projects Connect research, industry and society One of CDT’s main roles is to initiate and to coordinate innovation projects. In most of our projects, research from Luleå University of Technology is combined with real world applications. During a project, key assets are created, such as architectures, new technologies, methods and models. If the projects turn out to be very successful, the results can lead to innovations in forms such as products, services, prototypes or business concepts.

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PROJECTS 2021 34

New

Applied AI DIH North

Arctic 5G Test Network

BDSW DIGITAL STEP 2

The project goal is to create a strong innovation system for growth in the AI industry, a Digital Innovation Hub as a base, in collaboration, research, innovation, applied test-driven development, education and clustering.

The Arctic 5G Test Network aims to link the 5G test networks in Oulu, Finland and Luleå, Sweden by connecting them and engaging in active collaboration.

The project will investigate how to build a digital creative process that enables creative creation between people in different places.

It is an Interreg Nord project with the goal to strengthen companies’ commercialization capacity for innovations. It will create an Arctic node within 5G through collaboration between universities, large ICT companies and SMEs. This enables cross-border testing and increases overall testing capabilities in the 5G networks. In addition to scientific experiments, the industry is also planned to benefit from the improved testing environment. The project is led by Luleå University of Technology.

Through Open Innovations, new technology will meet music creation by building creative processes digitally.

The project will develop solutions and industry-strengthening measures and put Norrbotten at the forefront in terms of the music industry’s development.

To achieve the project goal, the project has the following sub-goals: - Create an innovation system that increases SME’s innovation speed with the help of AI - Implementing demand-driven AI innovation pilots - Strengthen research and education in AI - Package a long-term regional functional innovation system This will lead to strengthening the Upper Norrland region as Sweden’s leading region within Applied AI, which offers a productive and attractive innovation environment. This creates long-term sustainable growth that attracts people, investments and companies to the region. The main financier is the European regional development fund. www.aidih.se PROJECT PERIOD: January 2020 - February 2023 CONTACT: Michael Nilsson michael.nilsson@ltu.se +46 (0) 920-49 23 06

www.arctic5g.eu

PROJECT PERIOD: September 2019 - September 2022 CONTACT: Michael Nilsson michael.nilsson@ltu.se +46 (0) 920 - 49 23 06

The goal is to develop a product / service for music creation for music production at a distance for professional musicians and to build a network for music production with songwriters, artists and producers from all over the world.

Financiers are Norrbotten Region, Luleå Municipality, Sparbanken Nord, BD-pop as well as Längmanska entrepreneurship fund.

PROJECT PERIOD: April 2021 - March 2022 CONTACT: Staffan Lundberg staffan.lundberg@ltu.se +46 (0) 72-206 20 08

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BDSW Digital

Cloudberry Datacenters

CREATERNITY

The project BDSW Digital is a cooperation between BD Pop and LTU and focuses on the Swedish music export industry.

The purpose of the research centre Cloudberry is to develop new knowledge about energy and resource-efficient data centers by conducting high-quality research.

The new cross-border area at Luleå University of Technology CREATERNITY will contribute to the transformation required for sustainable industry and social transformation.

Singers, songwriters and producers have created international success over the years. CDT:s part in this project is to bring in the open innovation and new digital technology to improve the creative process of remote music production even outside the traditional physical studio. The pandemic situation has highlighted the need of new creative processes in global cross-border music production. This new distance-spanning approach and format will enhance the creative music production process by allowing an exchange of artistic and business opportunities.

The result of the prestudy will prepare the way for a larger applied project when the technology specification is known especially in the light of the 5G role in the world. An important part of the project is the 5G test environment, “5G Innovation Hub North”, at Luleå University of Technology, where we will perform test together with BD Pop, a local development company for the regional artists and music production.

PROJECT PERIOD: October 2020 - March 2021 CONTACT: Michael Nilsson michael.nilsson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 288 45 20

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The overall goal is to generate research results and knowledge that help to streamline energy use in data centers, reduce global carbon dioxide emissions and contribute to a more efficient energy system as a whole.

Cloudberry is financed by The Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) and Region Norrbotten. www.cloudberry-datacenters.com PROJECT PERIOD: January 2018 – December 2022 CONTACT: Karl Andersson karl.andersson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 819 54 84

The transition to a sustainable industry provides opportunities to think new and thus develop the whole society. The latest technology in artificial intelligence, telecommunications and sensor technology allows us to connect people, products and processes.

By gathering researchers from 25 different subjects, CREATERNITY takes a holistic approach to the industry’s sustainability challenges, which leads to new innovations. CREATERNITY studies the technology needed to follow a material through the circular flow, and how humans are affected. https://www.ltu.se/creaternity PROJECT PERIOD July 2020 – December 2024 CONTACT: Karl Andersson +46 (0) 910-585 364 karl.andersson@ltu.se

Datacenter Innovation Region Datacenter Innovation Region provides an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises, with operations in Norrbotten and Västerbotten, to gain support for the development of products and services in the field of data centers and clouds.

The purpose is to promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, in collaboration with universities, institutes and technical data center test environment. The project also provides access to an advanced test environment. This is an experimental environment for research, innovation and demonstration of infrastructure and IT products for data centre facilities. www.datacenterinnovationregion.se PROJECT PERIOD: September 2018 - February 2022 CONTACT: Jan-Olov Johansson Jan-olov.johansson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 619 22 31

Datacenter Innovation Region - Growth and Export The Datacenter Innovation Region project - Growth and Export is based on results from the previous project Datacenter Innovation Region.

The project supports SMEs in the data center industry with the aim of increasing their competitiveness through market adaptation of products, market communication and market presence. The project makes efforts through, for example, prototype development, research and expert support for technical development and innovation evaluation.

Examples of innovations that the project is working on are: n A self-service portal for data centers n Energy recovery of excess heat from data centers n A mobile module for data centers www.datacenterinnovationregion.se PROJECT PERIOD: June 2020 – April 2023

DigiBy DigiBy stands for Digital Services in Villages and is about digitizing service in Norrbotten’s countryside.

DigiBy is conducting pilot tests of new digital solutions to increase the knowledge and application of digitalisation opportunities for service development in villages. The project will develop new methods for using existing technology and the service will be adapted to the conditions in the villages. The purpose of the project is, in a broad collaboration between the Norrbotten Region, all the municipalities of Norrbotten, Swedish Lapland and Luleå University of Technology, to conduct pilot tests to increase the knowledge and application of digitalisation opportunities for service development in sparse and rural areas. The project owner is Luleå University of Technology. www.digiby.se PROJECT PERIOD: March 2019 - December 2022 CONTACT: Johanna Lindberg johanna.lindberg@ltu.se +46 (0) 920-491630

CONTACT: Jan-Olov Johansson jan-olov.johansson@ltu.se +46 (0) 70 619 22 31

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IFPS

DIT4BEARs stands for Disruptive IT for Barents Euro-Arctic Regions.

IFPS stands for Intelligent Food Production Systems.

The project works with four different use cases in the areas of smart roads, smart ID blockchain applications, waste management and the prevention of collisions with reindeers on roads. Overall objective is to enhance adaption and transfer of Disruptive Information Technologies (IoT, Big Data and Distributed Ledger Technologies, and other) for the societal and economic needs of Barents Euro-Arctic Region.

The project faces challenges, relevant to the field of transport, waste management system, movement of people and goods within the region and transport security connected to winter roads maintenance and reindeer husbandry.

The aim of the project is to, with the help of research in biological production and with expertise in AI and machine learning, develop a model of how residual heat from the next generation of steel production and from server halls in Boden, can enable a circular autonomous food system.

The project will explore opportunities for circular land-based food production within an artificial ecosystem that includes a closed cycle consisting of fish, insects, microalgae and vegetables.

Parties include Boden Business Agency, ONar AB, Johannas Stadsodlingar, Peckas, SWECO, Boden Municipality, Tebrito, Ragn Sells, Ecoloop. Main financier is FORMAS.

www.dit4bears.org PROJECT PERIOD: January 2020 - December 2022 CONTACT: Björn Backe +46 (0) 920 - 492111 bjorn.backe@ltu.se

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New

DIT4BEARs

PROJECT PERIOD: December 2021 - November 2023 CONTACT: Michael Nilsson +46 (0) 920-492306 michael.nilsson@ltu.se

Living Laboratory in Climate Change The purpose of this Erasmus+ project is to develop climate change education and awareness creation as essential tools toward achieving sustainable development and lessons for Russia and South Africa.

Understanding how climate change is already having an impact on one’s life can have practical benefits. This is especially true for poor populations that are the most vulnerable to crop failures and natural disasters, such as landslides and floods, caused by climate change. Communities that must rebuild from scratch after each new catastrophe miss out on opportunities for rapid development. By understanding that their world is changing and that the likelihood of future disasters is increasing these populations can build resilience and learn to adapt to the sudden and slow stresses of a changing climate. Education in climate change furnishes the technical knowledge needed to build a better future through innovation, one that includes clean and safe energy, sustainable agriculture and smarter cities.

PROJECT PERIOD: November 2020 – November 2023 CONTACT: Abdolrasoul Habibipour abdolrasoul.habibipour@ltu.se +46 (0)920-49 23 57

New

Predictive Movement

RörLa - Moving Rural Areas

Predictive Movement aims to establish a digital platform with business models and a set of actors for coordinated parcel, letter and passenger transport.

The project aims for call-controlled public transport in the pilot municipalities to include all available modes of transport for the best service to residents in rural areas.

The project will develop a new digital open source platform that will serve as a common transaction space for all local transport and a digital marketplace for passenger and freight transport. The project’s solution is developed in a first step for rural areas and will be tested in four pilot municipalities: Pajala, Arjeplog, Ljusdal and Västervik. The goal is for residents and companies to experience improved package deliveries and passenger transport.

There is a need to streamline and coordinating public transport with commercial travel. This is done with the help of Predictive Movement, a digital platform that acts as a collaboration point for transporting people and goods with the help of modern technology such as AI, block chain, route optimization and digital twin.

The project will work to coordinate transport so as to create increased efficiency and a more environmentally friendly, climate-adapted transport sector. www.predictivemovement.se PROJECT PERIOD: January 2020 - December 2021 CONTACT: Johanna Lindberg johanna.lindberg@ltu.se +46 (0) 920-49 16 30

The project will work with business model development, policy & regulatory changes, pilots and adaptation of systems. The project is a collaboration of three research groups at Luleå University of Technology (Information Systems, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Architecture) and Länstrafiken Norrbotten.

PROJECT PERIOD: November 2021 - October 2025 CONTACT: Johanna Lindberg johanna.lindberg@ltu.se +46 (0) 920-491630

Secure information flows with a digital platform for trading in biofuels The project will establish a digital platform for trading in solid biofuels that is used by a significant proportion of market participants.

This is the goal of the project funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, where CDT is one of several parties. In order for Sweden to be able to restructure the energy system and reach the target of zero net emissions by 2045, a significantly increased use of biofuels is necessary. Digitization of the biofuel market can contribute to an increased rate of change, but for digital commerce to be successful, safety aspects must be carefully investigated. This issue will be investigated by the project. It will also look at whether blockchains can be used to meet users' demands for safety, traceability and integrity in the digitalized trade in biofuels in Sweden.

PROJECT PERIOD: June 2020 – June 2023 CONTACT: Michael Nilsson michael.nilsson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 288 45 20

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TRE-m

SONDER stands for Service Optimization of Novel Distributed Energy Regions.

The project will, among other things, develop new autonomous road maintenance concepts, recycling of batteries as well as testing and demonstration of liquid and gas fuels and biofuels from the region.

Wireless Innovation Arena focuses on the industry for wireless communication in Upper Norrland where organizations together with users create innovative services based on new technologies.

TRE-m is an ERDF-funded project with the Swedish Proving Ground Association (SPGA) as a beneficiary, where CDT is the project manager for one of the work packages.

The project aims to create favourable conditions for small and medium-sized companies. Together with academia, institutes, large companies, the public sector and end-users, we will develop skills and competitive products and services. This will primarily be done in the area of wireless communication, specifically 5G, which is an important enabler for the internet of things to reach its full potential. An important part of the project is the 5G test environment, “5G Innovation Hub North”, at Luleå University of Technology, which is in collaboration with Telia. There, companies can easily perform different types of tests and experiments to validate new products and services.

In the SONDER project, a model for a distributed electrical grid, a “microgrid”, is developed and tested. The microgrid contains solar, wind and hydro electrical power production and supply for data centers. The solutions developed in SONDER contains communication between actors in the microgrid as well as case studies on incitement for data centers to provide demand flexibility to the power grid. SONDER is relevant to the transition to a renewable energy system as it will contribute increased knowledge and new methods for efficient management of distributed energy system resources, on a local as well as on a regional level. The Swedish part of SONDER is financed by The Swedish Energy Agency, and is part of an international consortium with partners from Sweden, Austria and Switzerland. Swedish partners are LTU, RISE and the data center Acon.

PROJECT PERIOD: September 2019 - March 2022 CONTACT: Jan-Olov Johansson jan-olov.johansson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 619 22 31

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New

SONDER

The project will create growth in the industry, increased added value and sustainable adjustment through a deeper regional range of both research-related and market-related resources in tests and demos.

The goal is for the project to result in a structure for the development of the test cluster which has been proven to work by highlighting at least 10 new regional test offers linked to at least three regional test resources.

Wireless Innovation Arena

www.wirelessinnovationarena.se PROJECT PERIOD: January 2020 - December 2022 CONTACT: Björn Backe +46 (0) 920-492111 bjorn.backe@ltu.se

PROJECT PERIOD: January 2019 – October 2022 CONTACT: Jan-Olov Johansson jan-olov.johansson@ltu.se +46 (0) 70 619 22 31

3CNet

New

3CNet stands for Climate Change Cooperation Network.

The project aims to develop and strengthen educational and research networks in climate change mitigation and adaptation, uncover, study and assess climate change processes and national policies. 3CNet will create and promote an institutional network, which will act as a living laboratory and collect, transmit and analyze data in climate change education. The main output of the network activities will be organizing a summer school in European and Russian approaches and policies for climate change mitigation.

Project parts include universities from Sweden, Finland, and Russia, as well as an NGO, which will act as an industrial partner of the project.

Main financier is the Nordic Council.

PROJECT PERIOD:

November 2021 - December 2022 CONTACT: Abdolrasoul Habibipour abdolrasoul.habibipour@ltu.se +46 (0)920 492357

5G for healthcare in Upper Norrland The overall goal of the project is to make Upper Norrland one of the natural innovation environments to develop and test solutions within 5G for healthcare.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the industry in Upper Norrland in the area of 5G Healthcare through new knowledge that has been added to small and medium-sized companies in a joint work on innovation. An important part of the project is to support the region’s SME with the aim of creating new innovations in the wireless communications industry.

Expected results are that new offers have been produced by participating SMEs based on activities within the project and that existing offers from participating SMEs reach markets outside the home region. In the long term, the project intends to have created new central meeting places and collaborative environments that live on and further develop after the project and have contributed to a more inclusive society.

5G Indoor Hub 5G Indoor Hub intends to extend the already existing outdoor 5G coverage established by the ERUF funded Wireless Innovation Arena project.

By extending the 5G test network at LTU’s campus in Luleå to a set of selected laboratories, we enable experiments and tests of fully integrated Industry 4.0 enabled use cases and scenarios.

The 5G Indoor Hub is a flexible research platform that allows problems from industry and research results from academia to meet and cross-fertilize via joint prototyping, practical evaluations, testing, etc. SMEs in the region will come to LTU campus to experiment and prototype their ideas.

PROJECT PERIOD: March 2019 – ongoing CONTACT: Karl Andersson karl.andersson@ltu.se +46 (0)910-585 364

www.5gvo.se PROJECT PERIOD: January 2020 - April 2023 CONTACT: Staffan Lundberg staffan.1.lundberg@ltu.se +46 (0) 72-206 20 08

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5G Edge Innovations for Mining

New

The project aims to create more intelligent mining systems that will further push the boundaries of autonomy, productivity and security.

The project will work with pilot demonstrations of 5G-connected drones in a mining environment, innovative use of modern AI technology and a hardware and software stack for edge-to-cloud applications. Examples of applications that will be developed include real-time video analysis, autonomous navigation, time-synchronized seismic sensors, augmented / virtual reality, etc.

The project is funded by VINNOVA, NextGenerationEU. It is led by Luleå University of Technology and CDT with parties such as RISE, BI Nordics, FieldRobotiX, ThingWave and Neava.

PROJECT PERIOD: November 2021 - November 2024 CONTACT: Karl Andersson karl.andersson@ltu.se +46 (0) 910-585 364

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Rural ICT Testbed #fulltäckning The Rural ICT Testbed project works to prevent digital exclusion by increasing mobile coverage in rural areas.

The project creates opportunities for people to live and work throughout the country. The long-term goal is to create attractive and competitive areas in rural areas with access to mobile coverage. www.fulltäckning.se PROJECT PERIOD: January 2021 - January 2023 CONTACT: Karl Andersson karl.andersson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 819 54 84

An interview with CDT’s new project manager, Staffan Lundberg Your career ranges from a semi-professional musician to a surgical nurse, to a product manager, to a communications director. Do you think that more people should dare to develop their talents?

I think that each individual has some areas where he or she has good conditions to become really good. At the same time, most of us have areas where you may not be able to develop as much even if you work hard. Therefore, I would say that it is wise to invest in the areas where you have the greatest potential to become good, it is probably also most satisfactory.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

There are lots of things I would like to try or do more of. I am quite creative and have for many years both written music and played in various bands. It would be exciting to have the opportunity to spend more time sitting in my music studio and writing music. It would be extra fun if some established artist becomes interested in what I write. I’m also a bit tickled by the thought of trying to write a detective story, I have some ideas that I’m thinking of. We shall see.

What tips can you give to those who do not dare to change careers?

“You know what you have but not what you get” is a saying I have heard many times. I am more fond of the saying “In great attempts, it is glorious... even to fail.” It’s really about daring to realize your dreams and not doing things you do not really enjoy just because you are careful. Life is too short not to take the chance if you get it.

What projects do you work on at CDT? Right now I am mainly working with several projects connected to 5G. An example of this is “5G in healthcare”. The purpose of the project is to use 5G to facilitate the use of new technology in elderly care and health care. It can be about everything from connected shower robots to advanced alarm and monitoring functions. Another exciting project that I work with is “Predictive Movement” which aims to establish a digital platform with business models for coordinated parcel, letter and passenger transport. The goal is for the project to contribute to a system change when it comes to streamlining transport in rural areas.

Any comments about working at CDT? Something that is different compared to previous workplaces?

When I worked as a strategist at Region Norrbotten, I collaborated with CDT in several projects so I had some insight into how you worked. What I did not have full knowledge of was the large project portfolio and the breadth of this.

But perhaps the biggest insight was what a high technical level it was on most projects. Here you can really talk about ideas and innovations at the forefront of technology, very impressive!

“The biggest insight was what a high technical level it was in most projects.

Here you can really talk about ideas and innovations at the forefront of technology.”

In your free time you enjoy running, cooking and making music. Right?

I like to play, that is true. I have been playing the piano since I was four years old and I still have an interest in music. Cooking is also a great interest, and then especially dishes related to Italy which I think is Europe’s culinary stronghold, France may apologize. Running may not be as enjoyable as eating Italian food, but it has become many miles over the years. I think it is important to have a decent condition and then running is a good activity, just put on your shoes and open the door. Right now, however, I “rest in shape” and dig deep for motivation to start up again.

During the Corona pandemic, you worked at Sunderbyn hospital. What was that like?

When the pandemic broke out, I was employed at the Norrbotten Region and then it felt completely natural to go out and work in healthcare again. It had not felt good not to show up when the situation was as strained as it was. Even though it was more than twenty years since I was active, it felt a bit like coming home at the same time as I felt incredibly rusty after such a long absence.

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New board member: Ida Lindh CDT welcomes Ida Lindh as a new board member. Ida works at Skellefteå municipality. She has previously been a municipal councilor for the Liberals, a member of the municipal board and vice chairman of the municipal airport company Skellefteå airport.

Hi Ida! Welcome to CDT! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Yes, I work at Skellefteå municipality, as strategically responsible for Campus and above all with issues related to higher education and research. Before I started at the municipality in 2017, then as responsible for the innovation support system, I have largely always worked with business development and innovation in various ways. I have also defended my dissertation in entrepreneurship and innovation via Luleå University of Technology.

Why did you accept the role as a Board Member of CDT? I think that CDT is an exciting center formation and I myself thrive very well in the meeting between academia and business, research and innovation. I also like that there is a strong focus on the results of the projects really leading to more spin-offs, innovations, methods and processes.

What expertise can you contribute to CDT’s board?

Hard to say because I have not yet met the others on the board. But I hope that I can contribute with an understanding of both businesses, the public sector and academia, as well as innovation processes.

How do you see the future of CDT? Is there a special area that you think is important to work with or something that you are particularly committed to?

One of the strengths of CDT is precisely that it is very close to companies and that they run projects in areas that are of great relevance to the business community. There is an enormous amount happening in the area right now, so I think that what bodes well for CDT’s future is precisely that sensitivity, and rapid translation of research into actual application.

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New board member: Anna Ståhlbröst

Anna Ståhlbröst has worked with CDT for a long time but never as a board member. We therefore welcome her to this new assignment! Anna is Professor and Head of Subject and her research is in the area of Information systems at Luleå University of Technology.

Hi Anna can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a digitalization researcher. That means that I study and aim to influence how digitalization is shaped and shape our society, organizations and individuals. My research interest is mainly focusing on the human aspects of digitalization related to design, implementation and evaluation of digital innovations. My research interest stems from a curiosity of what needs human has in relation to digitalization and to understand how these can be designed into digital innovations to create an added value. Many of the research projects I am involved in i carried out in sparsely populated areas in the Northern parts of Sweden since I want to understand and support the possibilities and potential hinder that emerge due to digitalization in these areas. To gain this understanding, innovative methods, tools and processes are needed, hence I have, together with my colleagues, developed a methodology called FormIT.

Why did you accept the role as a Board Member of CDT? I am very well acquainted with the CDT organization and I think that their role at the university is very important to support research and collaboration outside the university. I have been working closely with their organization for many years and I am looking forward to become even more engaged in their activities.

What expertise can you contribute to CDT’s board?

I will contribute with a human and social perspective in the development of digital innovations. I have been doing research on the concept of Living lab for many years, and this was an initiative initiated by CDT and the Testplats Botnia work which then grew into Botnia Living Lab. I will also contribute with expertise in ethical, social and research questions. I also have extensive experience from working in national and international projects which I think is important competences in this context.

How do you see the future of CDT? The future of CDT looks very good with their engagement in data centers, 5G development and artificial intelligence projects. Also, being engaged in the future area Creaternity focusing on circular economy and sustainable use of resources is very promising and interesting for the university and for new research projects.

Is there a special area that you think is important to work with or something that you are particularly committed to?

I am committed to the human and social aspects of digital innovations which I think are important when developing new technologies. As the world around us becomes increasingly data driven, autonomous and ubiquitous it becomes increasingly important to have humans in the loop and to manage ethical and social aspects as well as the technical and economical if we strive to develop innovations that creates an added value.

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In memoriam It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague Arne Gylling. On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, Arne passed away at the age of 59.

Many knew Arne, he was unusually well-liked and appreciated by all.

He was a great role model for us in his way of being. Now he has left us in an inconceivable grief and loss. We will always remember him with great gratitude and sincere warmth. Our thoughts go to his family.

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CDT Management Team

Karl Andersson

Staffan Lundberg

Jan-Olov Johansson

Johanna Lindberg

Annika Svensson

Executive Director karl.andersson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 819 54 84

staffan.1.lundberg@ltu.se +46 (0)72 06 20 08

jan-olov.johansson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 619 22 31

johanna.lindberg@ltu.se +46 (0)920 491630

annika.c.svensson@ltu.se +46(0)70 591 04 23

Michael Nilsson

Marie Nolin

Björn Backe

Jan Pettersson

michael.nilsson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 288 45 20

marie.nolin@ltu.se +46 (0)72 526 20 70

bjorn.backe@ltu.se +46 (0)920 49 21 11

jan.pettersson@ltu.se +46 (0)70 242 68 04

Board of Directors The CDT board of directors have approved the CDT annual report 2021. Luleå, January 2022.

Markus Andersson

Jonas Ekman

Anna Ståhlbröst

Mats Nordberg

Ericsson Research

Luleå University of Technology

Luleå University of Technology

Acting Chairman Ericsson Research

Michael Carlberg Lax

Ida Lind

Skellefteå Municipality

Skellefteå Municipality 47

ACCELERATING ICT INNOVATION

Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87 Luleå. Phone: +46 (0)920 49 10 00. E-mail: cdtinfo@ltu.se, www.ltu.se/cdt CDT is a research center at Luleå University of Technology, www.ltu.se