Intelligent Automation Systems (ÄLY) 2001 - 2004

The technology programme is focused on the new challenges presented by automation in general and the related software engineering in particular. The technology programme is scheduled for the years 2001 to 2004. The estimated cumulative volume of all the projects is 28 M EUR.

Intelligent Automation Systems
The international position of the Finnish process automation industry has been strong for decades. Both significant domestic enterprises and international corporations have carried out substantial research and development activities in Finland, especially within the fields of pulp, paper, and energy automation, reflecting the traditional industrial profile of the country. Though notable on the national level, volumes of traditional discrete automation have been less significant. However, due to the tremendous progress of the Finnish mobile phone and telecommunications industries during the last decade, the field of electronics production automation has shown rapid expansion. It is reasonable to expect that by investing in active research and development in the next few years the Finnish automation industry should continue to maintain its favourable position for the foreseeable future.

Trends of change in automation
Information technology has achieved a leading role in the development of many technology sectors. Automation is no exception. There is a wealth of evidence to demonstrate how solutions developed within information technology have also proven usable and applicable in industrial control systems. Another trend is that what used to be in the past isolated automation systems are now becoming integral and seamless parts of an entire plant information system. Automation systems and devices can be accessed globally via the Internet. At the same time, expectations and requirements for automation have increased, and there is a growing need for new methods and algorithms that go beyond traditional feedback control. Fortunately, many of the so-called soft computing methods, e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms, can nowadays be exploited in increasing the performance and accuracy of control and in predicting failures or disturbances in processes, machines, or devices. Software engineering has now become a key discipline both in product development and in application engineering. Automation represents the most challenging application field for modern software and information technology.

By definition, Tekes (the National Technology Agency) is a domestic financing organisation for R&D. The financing is directed towards the funding of R&D work conducted by companies registered in Finland and by Finnish research institutes and universities. It is also expected that the results of the work will enhance competitiveness and expertise in Finnish industry. More detailed information concerning Tekes' funding criteria can be found elsewhere on this website.

However, it is also true that many Finnish companies can be classed as international today. Similarly, it is a common practice that researchers and research groups at universities and research institutes pursue many kinds of international cooperation. Many foreign companies also conduct R&D activities in Finland and they are welcome to become Tekes customers.

Tekes encourages international co-operation. Firstly, Tekes is a national co-ordination organisation in international technology initiatives, including the EU Research Programmes, EUREKA, and COST. It is clear that these initiatives represent the major means of international co-operation at the project level. Secondly, when assessing R&D proposals, in addition to ordinary qualification criteria, Tekes takes a positive view of projects that, among other things, involve the contracting of services from Finnish research institutes and universities and the promotion of international co-operation.

From the point of view of technology programmes, we seek similar or comparable R&D programmes or initiatives in other countries in order to exchange experiences and to set up joint projects, to be funded either internationally or locally in each country. The results of the R&D work should then benefit all equitably.
In general, the technology programme aims at supporting the R&D needs of the domestic automation industry developing the knowledge and know-how of both industry and academia utilising the rapidly-developing information technology in automation and industrial production providing a basis for new enterprises in the field forming many kinds of partnerships and networked business structures among vendors, service companies, software houses, and other related sectors enabling and enhancing networked software production and trade.
Fuzzy logic and intelligent systems in process and production automation.
In terms of its contents, the technology programme focuses on the automation system level in the plant-wide information system hierarchy of a plant. However, this definition is meant to be understood loosely, typically including digital control systems, PLCs, fieldbus systems, condition monitoring, maintenance systems, teleoperation over the Internet, man-machine issues, and production control. Most of the projects are expected to deal with process automation, discrete automation, and electronics manufacturing, although certain projects may address machine automation, building automation, and the like, not specifically covered by any other national technology programme at the moment.//PG_PG_CDR
By definition, Tekes (the National Technology Agency) is a domestic financing organisation for R&D. The financing is directed towards the funding of R&D work conducted by companies registered in Finland and by Finnish research institutes and universities. It is also expected that the results of the work will enhance competitiveness and expertise in Finnish industry. More detailed information concerning Tekes' funding criteria can be found elsewhere on this website.

However, it is also true that many Finnish companies can be classed as international today. Similarly, it is a common practice that researchers and research groups at universities and research institutes pursue many kinds of international corporation. Many foreign companies also conduct R&D activities in Finland and they are welcome to become Tekesę customers.
From the point of view of technology programmes, we seek similar or comparable R&D programmes or initiatives in other countries in order to exchange experiences and to set up joint projects, to be funded either internationally or locally in each country. The results of the R&D work should then benefit all equitably.