TECHNOLOGICAL PARTNERS

PERCRO (Scuola Superiore S.Anna)

PERCRO is a research laboratory of Scuola Superiore S.Anna, Pisa, Italy. The research activity at PERCRO is focused in the field of Virtual Environments (VE) and Telepresence. Since 1991 PERCRO has developed a large expertise in methodologies and technologies for Virtual Environments through a direct theoretical and experimental approach. The different components of a VE system (graphical representation, behavioural modelling and user interaction) have been studied according to different paradigms.

The main research activity at PERCRO deals with the design, realisation and application of interface systems capable of allowing the exploration and interaction between a human operator and virtual entities. In this framework a large expertise has been achieved for the development of Haptic Interfaces integrating both force and tactile feedback capabilities. This activity has brought to the design and realisation of both anthropomorphic as well as desktop haptic interfaces. At PERCRO the design of haptic interfaces is addressed by considering all the technical and technological aspects associated to the design approach; design expertise includes:

Mechanics: study and synthesis of open and closed kinematics chains, kinematics optimisation of mechanisms, design of serial and parallel manipulators, FEM analysis of robotics structures, workspace analysis and mechanical analysis in parametric and associative CAD environment, analysis and design of complex tendon tension-based transmission systems for robotic mechanisms, study and design of integrated sensorized and actuated joints for robots.

Control: rapid prototyping of control systems, real-time control, parallel control architecture, computer architectures for integration of haptic interfaces in Virtual Environments, modeling and processing of human kinesthetic data.

Recently a new research line in the field of Computer Graphics has been set up in order to take into consideration the specific issues related to the real-time visualisation of complex scenarios and Virtual Environments and real-time collision detection algorithms.

The main fields of applications in which PERCRO is now exploiting the results of the research on VE are: medicine and rehabilitation, art and cultural heritage, simulators for automotive industry and entertainment.

Since 1991 PERCRO has been involved in several EU funded R&D Projects related to the following Programmes:

• ESPRIT: Project n. 5363 - GLAD-IN-ART (GLove ADvanced Interfaces); Project n.20521 – MORIS (MOtorcycle RIder Simulator);
• ESPRIT Basic Research: Project n.6358 - SCATIS (Spatially Coordinated Auditory/Tactile Interactive Scenario)
• ESPRIT Working Group 9122 FIVE (Framework for Immersive Virtual Environments)
• TIDE: Project n.1216 - VETIR (Virtual Environment Technologies in Rehabilitation; a new Approach to Motor Dexterity Disabilities);
• TELEMATICS: TAP DE 3216 (DE) TREMOR (Development and Validation of New Assistive Devices for the Treatment of Disability Caused by Tremor); TAP DE 4203 DRAMA (Development for Rehabilitation of the Arm - A Multimedia Approach).
• GROWTH programme: VIRTUAL 1999-RD. 11030-ViRtual: Virtual Reality systems for perceived ergonomic quality testing of driving task and design.

UCL (University College of London)

The Department of Computer Science has 30 full-time research-active academic staff in four main research groups: Communications, Multimedia and Distributed Systems; Software Systems Engineering; Intelligent Systems, and Vision, Imaging, Virtual Environments and Simulation. The Department was rated grade 5 in the last research assessment exercise. There are approximately 75 full time equivalent PhD students, and 40 full-time research fellows, amounting to approximately £2.29M of annual research funding.

VECG (Virtual Environments and Computer Graphics)

The VECG team within VIVES carries out research ranging from the technical side of computer graphics, including visibility and rendering, through virtual environments systems research, to the human factors side – such as understanding contributors to the sense of presence in virtual environments and collaboration within shared VEs. There are currently 11 PhD students and Research Fellows, and two EPSRC supported international visiting researchers in the team.

The team is a member of the new EPSRC Equator Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (IRC). This starts in September 2000 for 6 years, with funding for a number of additional Fellows and PhD students working in the area of the interface between physical and digital worlds. The focus of the UCL contribution is more towards the virtual worlds side of the research, including fundamental research in computer graphics and VE systems. The team has excellent computational facilities – in particular a 4-sided CAVE funded under the 1998-99 JREI funding round, and recently installed. This is driven by a 4 processor Onyx with 2 raster managers per pipe. In addition the team has an Onyx IR, which drives a range of head-mounted displays and conventional workstation displays.

3DSCANNERS (3D Scanners UK Ltd.)

3D Scanners (UK) is the UK’s leading consultancy and solution provider in the field of non-contact digitising. The 3D Scanners product range are entirely manufactured within the UK, and systems have been installed in over 30 countries

3D Scanners produces a range of laser measurement systems that brings together traditional and modern modelling techniques by clearing the way for fast, accurate and affordable reverse engineering. The ModelMaker W Series offers a real time link between physical objects and CAD models, thus enabling designers and stylists to work with traditional model making techniques while taking full advantage of everything that modern solid and surface modellers have to offer. Other applications for ModelMaker include remodelling parts for which no drawings exist and inspecting manufactured parts during quality control.

The ModelMaker is the world’s most versatile industrial laser scanning system. Its handheld scanning head is easy to use, robust, portable and accurate, and its non-contact nature makes it suitable for all types of material including soft or delicate surfaces such as foam, rubber or clay. And unlike some systems, which depend on specific reflective behaviour, ModelMaker requires no prior surface treatment and can work in practically any lighting conditions.

UPPSALA (Uppsala University)

Uppsala University is the oldest university in the Nordic countries, founded 1477. It is a full university with eight faculties, 37 000 students (including 2 500 graduate students), about 5500 employees (including about 3 000 teachers and researchers). More than 300 doctorates are taken each year. International co-operation is quite large. During the EU Fourth Frame­work Program there were 173 agreements, and in the autumn of 1998 2 200 collaborative projects with colleagues outside Sweden were reported.

The Department of Psychology has about 100 employees including 10 professors and 30 candidates for the doctorate. The budget amounts to more than 53 mSEK (6 m€) of which 20 mSEK (2.35 m€) are supporting undergraduate education and 16 mSEK (1.88 m€) postgraduate education. External granting agencies provide 12 mSEK (1.41 m€) for research projects.

More than 500 students are enrolled in undergraduate education. Most of the students are enrolled in the psychologist programme that leads to a Masters of Science in Psychology. The department also offers separate courses in Psychology (A-D levels). The department is also involved in programmes offered through other university departments such as Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Social Care, Social Science, and Economics. Postgraduate studies lead to the licentiate or doctorate degree. About 80 students are enrolled in postgraduate studies.

A large number of successful research projects run at the department. In more than four decades perception has been a central research area at the department. Different modalities, such as vision, haptics, and smell are studied from several theoretical points of view. One important application concerns the pick up of visual information in air flight situations. Another application area is technical aids for the visually impaired. Once an application of visual perception, the research on traffic safety now has broadened its subjects of interest to include other types of traffic problems. The total research volume is substantial. An "Annual Report" covering publications in the years 1998-1999 includes about 200 internationally peer-reviewed items, mostly articles in scientific journals.

PONT-TECH (Pont-tech Scrl)

PONT-TECH is a Technology Transfer Institute resulting from a joint initiative of public and private entities, whose mission is to promote technology transfer from research towards industrial application. It is located in Pontedera (PI), in the heart of an industrial district where the largest motorcycle production facilities in Europe are located.

Piaggio Company and its linked small and medium companies represent the field where the innovative initiatives are tested. Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA) from Pisa, is the leading scientific partner of the Pont-Tech Consortium.

PONT-TECH and SSSA collaborate in the fields of robotics, mechatronics, micromechatronics and microsystem technologies (MST) and are jointly establishing CRIM (Centre of applied Research In Microengineering) a new applied research centre for Microengineering. The mission of CRIM is to promote research activities in such a way as to render available innovative technologies and their access to the interested industries.

The research activities of Pont-Tech are focused on the development of novel microcomponents, microdevices and microsystems for applications in different fields: biomedicine, environment, space and industrial automation. In particular PONT-TECH has special skills in the development of bio-chemical systems, microactuators and micromachines, physical measurement systems, and microfluidic systems.

MUSEUMS

CGAC (Centro Galego de Arte Contemporanea)

The Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea, (Galician Centre for Contemporary Art) in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, has as its main aim the promotion of culture in a city with a remarkable artistic and historic background.

Designed and constructed between 1988 and 1993 by the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza (Pritzker Prise 1993), the building that houses the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea is located in one of the most evocative and symbolic areas of Santiago's monumental zone. The CGAC has focused its entire programme on a single building that doesn't disrupt the historic surroundings in which it is located; though it is of necessity a strong building, representative, a new instrument for stimulating culture in the city.

The CGAC offers a complete library of modern art, an active publications department that prepare catalogues for temporary exhibitions. There is also a permanent international art collection, whose purpose is to place the most important contributions of Galician artists in the context of art in the last few decades.

The primary aim of the Educational Service is to bring the public into closer contact with contemporary art, emphasising its broad potential as an aid to perceptive, communicative and cognitive development. To this end, CGAC organise a wide range of activities suitable for people of all ages and all interests.

The CGAC's own acquisitions must of course reflect its geographic and cultural context, and aim to encourage a deeper understanding of the recent history of art in Galicia. The basic strategy followed is to create a collection that contrasts and compares the works of Galician artists with works from their contemporary international context.

OPAE (Opera della Primaziale Pisana)

The Opera della Primaziale Pisana, the Cathedral Vestry Board of Pisa, provides for the maintenance and restoration costs of the Cathedral, Bell Tower, Baptistery, Monumental Cemetery, Vestry Museum and Sinopite Museum.

The Opera della Primaziale Pisana is one of the most ancient Vestry Boards in central Italy with a prestigious tradition established over the centuries.

At present the Vestry Board is run by a Board of Directors, called Deputazione, consisting of seven members appointed by decree of the Ministry of the Interior and elected by the Archibishop of Pisa and the Minister of the Interior, one of whom is elected as Chairman-Trustee. In addition to the Institutional offices, the Vestry Board also benefits from qualified administrative staff, of monument guardian staff and skilled workers looking after the maintenance of the monumental buildings of the Cathedral Square.

The Opera della Primaziale Pisana manages the Museum “Museo dell’Opera del Duomo” overlooking the famous Cathedral Square and located in a Chapter House from the 13th to the early 17th century next to the leaning Tower. The works of art on show are all from the monuments in the Cathedral Square. The main items of the collection can be seen on the ground floor: these are sculptures dating from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries and are evidence of the artistic currents present in Pisa when as a Republic it was at the height of its power. The museum collection includes masterpieces by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano (such as Giovanni Pisano’s famous Madonna and Child in ivory) by Tino di Camaino, sculptures by Tribolo and Silvio Cosini, relevant paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 18th centuries by Benozzo Gozzoli, Battista Franco and Aurelio Lomi among the others. The final section of the museum houses archeological specimens and Egyptian, Etruscan and Roman remains found in the Monumental Cemetery.