Nokia and Tampere University of Technology to tighten their collaboration

 

Nokia Research Center (NRC) and Tampere University of Technology (TUT) have today announced the creation of a new framework to tighten open and innovative collaboration in their research activities. TUT will become the first and central collaboration partner in the planned Nokia Innovation Center Tampere, Finland, opening in September.

 

The aim of the center is to create a model for research based on open innovation, where information flows freely between collaborators. Past experience indicates that creating common research facilities where researchers from both parties can work together lowers the barrier to collaboration. Genuine collaboration is the central target:

 

"This announcement is about creating impactful results through sharing of information in both directions, not technology transfer. We can discuss together some specific research problem or functional entity without compromising confidentiality of either party. Researchers from both organizations can share the enthusiasm and work together as one group," commented Professor Jaakko Astola of the Tampere University of Technology, who has been strongly involved in preparing the new framework. 

 

When launched, approximately 70 researchers will work together on a weekly basis. Both parties deem it essential that the center's work has the potential for market impact while also contributing to the state-of-the-art by producing high-quality technical publications. Part of the research will be funded by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology. It is envisaged that other research institutions, as well as compatible commercial companies, in the Tampere area may eventually also participate in the work of the center. 

 

Nokia and TUT have a long tradition of research collaboration for which the new the framework is a natural continuation. The announcement is also in line with NRC's policy of working in close collaboration with respected academic institutions on projects of mutual benefit.  Nokia has in recent months announced research collaborations with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University in the USA, with the University of Cambridge in the UK and - most recently - with the Helsinki University of Technology in Finland. The announcement today brings a welcome boost to research collaboration between industry and the academia in Finland.

 

Jukka P. Saarinen, who has led the project from Nokia's side, said: "Nokia is very committed to promoting excellence in technology research in Finland, and Tampere will be the second Finnish university with which Nokia has recently announced a close collaboration. In this way, Nokia Research Center brings together some of the best and brightest minds to focus on some of the most challenging and exciting problems.  By creating a collaborative environment, based around research teams, rather than focusing on short-term problems, we believe we will benefit both our own research work and that of the university."

 

The research center is expected to focus, initially and among other topics, on research in

- content and media ecosystems (future digital media; maintaining and sharing personal content between various devices),

- smart UI solutions (camera-end image processing; visual user interfaces for the next generation experience)

- printed electronics (miniaturization and electronics integration)

- modular system architectures (advanced computer architectures and devices).

 

 

Nokia Research Center (NRC) looks beyond Nokia's existing businesses and product development to challenge current strategies and to stimulate renewal in the company's direction.  Working closely with all Nokia business groups and Technology Platforms, NRC's research explores new frontiers in digital services, physical-digital connections, human interaction, data and content technologies, device architecture, and access and connectivity.  NRC promotes open innovation by working on research projects in collaboration with universities and research institutes around the world.  Nokia Research Center employs around 800 people based in Finland, USA, China, Germany, Japan and the UK.  For more information on Nokia Research Center, see our website: http://research.nokia.com

 

Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.

 

Tampere University of Technology (TUT) provides high-level scientific research and teaching in the areas of technology and architecture. TUT has been at the forefront of collaboration between industry and academia and its innovations have brought about the establishment of several new companies each year. Much of the University's funding comes from sources outside the Ministry of Education of Finland.

 

 

Nokia

Technology Communications

Tel. +358 7180 62278

 

Nokia

Communications

Tel. +358 7180 34900

E-mail: press.office@nokia.com

 

TUT

Professor Jaakko Astola,

+358-40 557 6417

E-mail: jaakko.astola@tut.fi

 

TUT

Communications

Tel. +358-3-3115 5550

www.tut.fi