annual report

ANNUAL REPORT
1
FOREWORD
Tangible solutions to meet important market needs
What sectors can we help prepare for the future with focused digital
research? And which opportunities can Flemish technology companies
seize by teaming up with us? Those were the questions that guided iMinds
in 2013.
We launched major new collaborations in the media sector, the health
and care sector and the manufacturing industry. Our Media Innovation
Center, for example, got off to a flying start: more than 40 research and
media partners got involved in various innovative projects with and for the
media sector. In the health and care sector, we were able to inject
innovation through the Care Living Labs, an initiative of the Flemish
government to bring about innovative solutions for the many challenges
in elderly care. And together with our partners from the manufacturing
industry, iMinds contributed to building the ‘factory of the future’, where
the advent of digital technology is leading to totally different business
and organizational models.
We saw our demand-driven research projects boom in 2013 precisely
because we provide tangible solutions to meet real needs.
WIM
DE WAELE
CEO IMINDS
2
Supporting start-ups all the way
Taking our model international
Our business incubation program for start-ups has gained increasing
international recognition. We are providing technology start-ups with
intensive coaching and access to our network and funding. We also
support them in achieving their international breakthrough.
We have the ambition to help build the future models of digital research
and incubation in Europe.
The Swedish UBI Index recently ranked the iMinds
iStart program among the world’s 25 top university
incubators following a screening of more than 300
incubation programs from 67 countries.
iMinds is a much sought-after partner in European projects. Through our
participation in the European Commission’s Connect Advisory Forum,
we are also engaged in an active dialogue on identifying which innovation domains deserve priority and how we should re-invent the policy
framework.
iMinds is gaining recognition at European and international levels
because of its groundbreaking model. We aim to contribute with our
experience and know-how in order to establish better frameworks for
the future European digital innovation policy.
The start-up community is extremely important for the digital sector.
Truly disruptive innovations are often the brainchild of starting
entrepreneurs. Their out-of-the-box business ideas often lead to the
transformation of entire sectors. Start-ups have the potential to become
leading companies and in doing so, they truly contribute to economic
growth. iMinds tries to be there at every stage of their growth.
WIM DE WAELE
CEO IMINDS
A future for our audiovisual heritage
1st anniversary of Media Innovation Center
Safeguard the future of our audiovisual heritage through
digitizing and archiving, in order to later make this
valuable material available to academia, science and the
general public. Such was the mission of iMinds when it
started VIAA, the Flemish Institute for Archiving, at the
end of 2012.
The iMinds Media Innovation Center (MiX) looked back on
a strong first year of operations. iMinds - MiX, founded
in 2012, strives to create a broad, strong Flemish media
sector, and does this by giving shape to ideas with the
potential to change the media landscape. In 2012-2013
MiX, in collaboration with media actors and scientists,
explored and developed 13 innovative media ideas.
It turned 8 of them into concrete projects.
www.viaa.be
JANUARY 2013
JANUARY 2013
A knowledge center for ‘media literacy’
Mediawijs.be took shape under the impulse of iMinds.
This new knowledge center for media literacy aims
to get all Flemings to participate actively, critically
and consciously in a society in which media play an
ever more crucial role.
www.mediawijs.be
With the new series of Opportunity
Recognition Workshops, iMinds is helping
(post) doctoral students develop business
know-how, find opportunities in their
research and valorize the business potential
of their research.
www.iminds.be/orw
www.iminds.be/mix
DECEMBER 2012
Launch of Opportunity Recognition
Workshops
MAY 2013
MARCH 2013
MAY 2013
SuperMinds: exchange between iMinds
researchers
‘Smart Management in a Virtualized
World’ symposium is a success
Scientists from all our research groups attended
SuperMinds 2013. The SuperMinds Talks – short
presentations by the researchers themselves about
their research, insights or methodologies – are the
highlight of this annual event. Ilse Mariën (iMinds SMIT - VUB) won the very first SuperMinds Award
for her plea for ‘open access publication’.
iMinds was the co-organizer of the 13th
‘International Symposium on Integrated
Network Management’, IM2013 in short.
350 experts from more than 40 countries
made their way to Ghent for this biennial
international conference on network and
service management. The theme was:
‘Smart Management in a Virtualized World’.
4
SALK Limburg: stimulate entrepreneurship
ICT Cluster strengthens digital innovation
iMinds makes a splash at ICT 2013
In order to stimulate entrepreneurship in Limburg,
iMinds teamed up with the Limburg investment
company LRM and other players such as Hasselt
University, KHLim, C-Mine crib and Mobile Vikings.
The resulting ‘Strategic Action Plan for Limburg
Squared’ (SALK) offers tech start-ups promising
opportunities to grow into successful companies.
An ICT Cluster was added to the Technology
Park in Zwijnaarde. A milestone for iMinds which,
with the new research and development center,
brings together academics and companies from
different fields, taking digital innovation to the
next level.
A few thousand ICT professionals descended to Vilnius,
Lithuania for the ICT 2013 Conference organized by
the European Commission. The industry and academic
research community discussed topics such as cloud
computing, broadband technology, ICT infrastructure
and cyber security. iMinds was strongly represented
at this international event. iMinds’ keynote speakers
included CEO Wim De Waele and Prof. Bart De Moor.
Prof. Pieter Ballon and ICON Program Leader Piet
Verhoeve also each led a networking session. We also
scooped an award for the demos in the ‘Cognitive Radio
Experimentation World’.
SEPTEMBER 2013
NOVEMBER 2013
www.limburg.be/salk
JULY 2013
SEPTEMBER 2013
OCTOBER 2013
DECEMBER 2013
Care Living Labs out of the starting blocks
iMinds - Health gets the green light
The challenges in elderly care are enormous,
and Flanders intends to tackle them by
setting up Care Living Labs. iMinds is
coordinating this initiative with four regional
platforms in Flanders to foster an experimental
environment that allows all its organizations to develop new care concepts, services,
processes and products and subsequently test
them in living lab scenarios. In the first half
of 2014, ‘Zorg Proeftuinen Vlaanderen’ was
also expanded with the addition of two new
platforms.
The Flemish government gave a final ‘goahead’ for iMinds - Health, the digital
innovation center on health and care
with the mission to guide these sectors
in the implementation of technological
developments.
www.zorgproeftuinen.be
www.iminds.be/health
1,000 visitors on ‘Open Company Day’
More than 1,000 visitors immersed themselves
in the world of iMinds and discovered its
start-up support, research projects and Care
Living Labs. Children made their own ‘trashbots’
− robots made from waste.
5
IMINDS’
EVENTS
IN 2013
Boost for digital innovation in Flanders
iMinds announced new strategic partnerships with industrial partners Barco,
Mobile Vikings, Televic and UP-nxt to complement its existing partnership with
Alcatel-Lucent. As a result of these cooperation agreements, the know-how
of the industrial partners can be enriched permanently with the scientific
knowledge of iMinds – and vice-versa. At iMinds, we do not limit ourselves to joint
research; we also work together on a strategic and operational level.
DECEMBER 2013
DECEMBER 2013
DECEMBER 2013
iMinds The Conference
presents 40+ demos
Digimeter: Know-how on media use
and possession
During iMinds The Conference,
the annual event for all partners
in our wide network, more than
40 demos of research projects
and start-ups were showcased.
The objective is to demonstrate
the feasibility and applicability of
our ideas.
For the sixth consecutive year, the
Digimeter report presented the findings of
our poll in which over 1,000 Flemings were
surveyed on their media possession and
use. Digimeter offers insights we can use
to help develop targeted technologies and
meet the needs of specific target groups.
www.digimeter.be
6
7
WHAT IS IMINDS?
iMinds is the Flemish digital research center. Every day, companies, organizations and governments
leverage the know-how and experience of our 850+ researchers at five Flemish universities.
As such, we help them develop products and services that have the potential to profoundly impact
the way in which we live and work – both in Flanders and beyond.
As a business incubation center, iMinds coaches and supports starting entrepreneurs and researchers
in successfully bringing their ideas to the market.
iMinds is also involved at an international level. We are partners in many European research
projects and we actively contribute in defining the frameworks of European innovation
policy.
7
DIGITAL RESEARCH WITH IMPACT
Our approach rests on three pillars.
TECHNOLOGY AND DEMAND-DRIVEN RESEARCH,
FOR AND WITH THE INDUSTRY
3 PILLARS
AN AGILE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY THAT
ALLOWS US A FAST RESPONSE TIME
RESEARCH TEAMS THAT EXCEL
IN WHAT THEY DO
8
PILLAR
TECHNOLOGY AND
DEMAND-DRIVEN RESEARCH
Demand-driven research is at the core of the iMinds approach.
Companies, organizations and researchers submit proposals while our
research teams thoroughly explore the issues and bring in their knowhow. Time and again, the results flow back to the market, where partners
effectively integrate the new technologies in their products and services.
Ever since iMinds was established in 2004, we have already completed
more than 550 local and European research projects, in collaboration
with the industry. More than 1,250 research partners (commercial
companies, organizations and governments) have been involved in our
projects since we started.
Two new innovation centers for specific sectors
Demand for digital innovation is particularly high in the Flemish media
sector and the Flemish health and care sector. By setting up innovation centers specifically for these markets, iMinds aims to work even more
closely with these sectors to develop concrete research projects.
9
iMinds - MiX inspires and connects the media sector
iMinds - Health tackles major care issues
The iMinds Media Innovation Center (MiX) was set up in January 2012. Its
aim is to contribute to a broad and strong Flemish media sector. MiX helps
to bring to life ideas with the potential to change the media landscape.
Following the success of iMinds - MiX, the foundations for iMinds - Health,
the digital innovation center focusing on health and care, were laid in
2013. Its official start was on February 6, 2014.
“In a very short timeframe we managed to get 43 partners – both media
companies and technology players – to rally around MiX,” says Martijn Bal
(Director iMinds - MiX). “We back up these ideas with research and invest
in the necessary resources. Companies and researchers work together to
realize a concrete innovation.”
Roger Lemmens (Director iMinds - Health): “It is difficult for technology
to find its way into the care sector. Providing thorough guidance in the
implementation of that technology is therefore one of our key objectives.
Other issues include improved data sharing between the different players
and the electronic patient record. Our country ranks poorly when it comes
to the computerization of care processes.”
“We want to offer a suitable instrument for each of the challenges in the
media landscape,” explains Martijn Bal. “That’s why we wish to participate
in the development of a knowledge center to complement our project
activities. This will allow us to further inspire and connect the Flemish
media.”
Birgit Morlion (Director Health Innovation Programs): “We aim to bring
all the stakeholders around the table within iMinds - Health, and come up
with concrete solutions for all those cross-disciplinary issues. For instance,
the HIPS research project examines how we can best match the management processes of available goods, staff and equipment in a hospital, and
the associated information flows, with the patient’s care process. As for
the b-SLIM project, it studies the development of a digital ‘super coach’
for obese people. The app identifies all relevant weight-determining
factors and supplies tailored advice.”
10
iMinds signs strategic agreements with
the industry
iMinds believes working together with the industry is essential.
That’s why we enter into strategic cooperation agreements with industrial
partners. On top of our partnership with Alcatel-Lucent, in 2013 we signed
agreements with Barco, Mobile Vikings, Televic and UP-nxt. Each of these
strategic partners is active in at least one domain that is essential to the
entire Flemish industry.
“Establishing strategic partnerships is important in the long-run.”
Together, in recent years, we invested about 30 million euro in research
projects, which produced marketable results. Thanks to these partnerships, the scientific knowledge of iMinds researchers will be passed on to
the Flemish industry even more smoothly.
agendas and define targeted projects together that match our partners’
“Reducing the amount of ad hoc collaborative work in favor of
establishing sustainable structures with our partner companies ensures
that knowledge is shared actively among the researchers and industry
partners in our network. In time, we want to impact each other’s research
strategic direction.”
Piet Verhoeve
ICON Program Leader
11
PILLAR
AGILE
RESEARCH METHODS
iMinds responds quickly to changing market conditions and takes
into account the sensitivities of each sector. At iMinds, this flexible
approach, coupled with a wide range of research and funding options,
is what we call agile research. We work in an open and transparent way,
with research teams that systematically share their findings.
We have established our own, tried and tested
research model in the form of ICON.
Co-creation is an essential component of our living
lab methodology. In cooperation with test panels,
we develop, test and validate products, services and
business models during short-term projects mainly.
The fast-moving media sector requires shorter lead
times. Our MiX-ICON project formula is designed
to that effect, with research that produces concrete
research findings after a maximum of 1 year.
In our technical test center, we offer facilities and expertise to test, analyze and optimize the quality and
performance of digital innovations.
12
ICON: taking on tangible challenges together
MiX-ICON: brings media ideas to life
Our ICON research model (Interdisciplinary Cooperative Research) brings
to the table iMinds researchers, industry partners, organizations and
governments to purposefully solve concrete problems.
iMinds - MiX has been monitoring developments in the (international)
media landscape since 2012. It quickly translates major trends into innovation projects for the Flemish media sector, thanks to the MiX-ICON project
model.
Their cooperative research results in a demonstrator, whose underlying
technology can be used to shape the products and services of tomorrow,
whether it involves distribution optimization, highway track control systems or an eHealth platform.
Out of the 22 project proposals submitted in 20122013, 13 were approved.
In the framework of the ICON research program,
121 research projects have been launched since 2005.
In 2012-2013, 43 Flemish media and technology
partners were involved in MiX-ICON. These include
start-ups and SMEs as well as large enterprises in the
audiovisual sector, media companies, and the printing
and gaming industries.
In 2013, 13 new ICON projects were approved and
scheduled to start in 2014 (project volume: 26.8 million euro).
8 projects were launched in 2013.
In the 13 new ICON projects, SMEs are represented
by 36% and the public & social-profit sector by 25%.
39% of the partners are large companies.
In 2013, the total project budget for MiX-ICON amounted to 7.6 million euro.
With the 13 ICON projects approved in 2013, iMinds
welcomed 38 new external partners to its network.
Most of the 62 external partners in total are established in Flanders.
13
Co-creation in living lab research
Measuring in the technical lab
iMinds - Living Labs is the expertise center for living lab research in
Flanders (and beyond). In 2013, living lab research was set up for 19
individual SMEs.
The iMinds iLab.t technical test center is ideal for anyone looking to develop a digital innovation and test its quality and performance in a controlled environment. “Not only do we have all the necessary hardware,
measuring instruments and software tools in house, we also offer our expertise,” explains Stefan Bouckaert (Business Developer iMinds - iLab.t).
“We define a customized approach for each case. We welcome experts,
but also partners who lack in-depth technical knowledge.”
Pieter Ballon (Director iMinds - Living Labs): “In a living lab, companies
generate ideas on new products, work on the implementation of a new
concept or validate their innovation.”
Some of our (international) research projects use our technical lab to
analyze and optimize innovations, or to develop ‘proof-of-concept
demonstrators’. In 2013, 50 partners took direct advantage of our test
center’s services. “With our infrastructure and scientific competences,
we can offer considerable added value to SMEs in particular,” explains
Stefan Bouckaert.
(Potential) end-users get a lead role in our living lab research as co-designers. The innovation goes through a number of rework and improvement
stages based on their user experiences in a realistic setting and on feedback workshops.
“During these brief processes – 2 to 6 months on average – we create
interaction between provider, target group and other stakeholders in the
innovation ecosystem,” says Pieter Ballon. “The living lab projects deliver
innovations that are not driven by research and technology, but by the
needs of the market.”
14
PILLAR
WORLD-CLASS
RESEARCH TEAMS
iMinds continues to grow as a hub for digital research and
entrepreneurship in Flanders, and we owe this to our research
community. Totaling over 850, our researchers can compete with the
world’s top experts in their field.
850+ researchers, 5 universities, 1,200+ publications
on an annual basis
The iMinds expertise in (for example) digital security, cryptography, medical imaging and broadband
and network technologies is recognized throughout
Europe.
Our living lab methodology has also received international acclaim. iMinds is the Secretary of the
European Network or Living Labs: these are testing
and experimentation environments in which users
and producers work together to fine-tune innovations. Our living lab expertise also convinced
Flanders, which has nominated iMinds as the
Program Office of the Care Living Labs initiative.
15
Two new prestigious ERC Grants
The fact that our researchers can compete with the best has not escaped
the European Research Council either. The ERC grants fund top scientists
in strategic research.
In 2013, Prof. Dr. Sabine Van Huffel (iMinds - STADIUS - KU Leuven) and
Prof. Dr. Peter Schelkens (iMinds - ETRO - VUB) both achieved recognition
for their expertise.
Sabine Van Huffel
Peter Schelkens
The ERC Advanced Grant of Sabine Van Huffel is worth 2.5 million euro.
Her ‘Biotensors’ project develops a general framework for solving functional tensor problems in biomedical data analysis. Peter Schelkens received
an ERC Consolidator Grant of 2 million euro for his ‘Interfere’ project in the
field of digital holography.
In previous years, Luc Van Gool (iMinds - PSI-MIC - KU Leuven),
Tinne Tuytelaars (iMinds - PSI-MIC - KU Leuven) and Johan Suykens
(iMinds - STADIUS - KU Leuven) were awarded an ERC Grant.
16
ISTART: KICK START FOR A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
Skills, resources and the right technology: these are the key ingredients
to get a digital start-up off the ground. iStart, iMinds’ incubation program,
helps entrepreneurs turn their business into a lasting success.
80% of the start-ups can present growth figures after
completing the iStart Incubation program.
iMinds extends its research expertise to entrepreneurs, so they can bridge
the gaps and overcome technological obstacles in the development of
their businesses. We also help start-ups by giving them access to our
network of experts, financiers and partners.
3 iStart project calls per year, with an additional iStart.
light application round for students.
In 2013, 4 iStart project applications originated from
Limburg, 17 from Antwerp, 10 from Flemish Brabant, 6
from Brussels, 28 from East Flanders and 4 from West
Flanders. 1 project application came from abroad.
Out of the 70 iStart projects submitted in 2013, 16 were
approved. Just as many new companies were set up
out of these projects.
17
Start-up Garage: bringing together local starters
We are using our Start-up Garage to develop a local ecosystem in Ghent
and physically bring start-ups together. iMinds is offering shared space
in other Flemish cities (including Antwerp, Leuven, Hasselt, Geel, etc.)
as well. The Start-up Garage is home to 18 projects, and 38 co-workers
in total.
iStart.light for students with entrepreneurship in their DNA
SOFI funding for spin-offs
In 2013, this learning process had reached its third edition. 12 student
teams submitted a project proposal and iMinds selected 3 – Instadeal,
RedBeaver and Libaro. Out of the 4 student start-ups that we supported
in the previous academic years, 3 are still active today.
Since 2012, iMinds has been relying on the new Flemish SOFI-fund (SpinOff Financing Instrument) for the launch of spin-off companies. In the
digital sector those investments often make all the difference.
In 2013, eXia and TagTagCity, among others, received an incubation loan
from the SOFI-fund. In addition, several spin-off projects such as POSIOS
and Graphine were awarded a more substantial follow-up investment
by SOFI.
18
A ROLE IN EUROPE
iMinds aims to make of Flanders a better place to work and live in. We
are aware, however, that the only way for us to achieve this goal is to
have international presence and influence, as well. We therefore actively
get involved in research projects with European partners and we take
administrative positions within international organizations for which
innovation is a top priority.
European projects in 2013
In 2013, the various iMinds research groups participated in 56 newly
launched European projects, totaling a budget (over the total project
duration) of 11.5 million euro. 47 Flemish, 51 Brussels-based and 7 Walloon
partners worked together with iMinds on European projects in 2013.
Helping set frameworks
iMinds has a voice on matters of European (innovation) policy.
iMinds advisor to Europe
In 2012, CEO Wim De Waele was elected as a member of the European
CONNECT Advisory Forum (CAF). Since then, iMinds is one of twenty
international experts who advise the Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes on digital research and innovation.
“Through our active participation in the CONNECT Advisory Forum, iMinds
is able to contribute to European policy and help decide on a strategy for
important issues such as 5G, Big Data, Privacy and the Internet of Things.”
Wim De Waele
CEO iMinds
iMinds member of EIP-AHA
The European Innovation Partnership (EIP) aims to tackle key societal
challenges in the 2020 research objectives. In 2013 iMinds and Flanders’
Care joined forces to take part in the EIP. Together, we submitted an
application to collaborate on concrete solutions to improve elderly care in
Europe, using primarily the Care Living Labs in Flanders.
20
FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGIES
OF THE FUTURE
Our researchers tackle digital technologies and fields that are crucial for the further development of Flanders,
Europe and the world.
The ‘Internet of Things’, high-tech visualization, Big Data analysis and digital security will have a
huge impact on all aspects of our lives. iMinds is therefore working to resolve their underlying
challenges, contributing to the further development of these technologies, and subsequently
turning them into marketable solutions.
“These four technologies will have a strong impact on the Flemish
economy, industry and society. They will, in the coming years, lead to
drastic shifts, perhaps even setting in motion, complete revolutions.
Not only in terms of technology, but also in the way we live and do
business.
iMinds has the knowledge and skills in-house to conduct digital
research in these fields, which will be of maximum benefit for our
region.”
Thomas Kallstenius
Director Research & Innovation Strategy
21
INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) & FUTURE NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES:
SMART NETWORKS, COMMUNICATING OBJECTS
Cars, bicycles, optical devices, refrigerators... Communicating objects are
Future Internet Research & Experimentation, known as FIRE, is a realistic,
large-scale research environment. A wide range of European partners use
these test facilities for the validation of concepts.
no longer uncommon, and this trend is bound to gather momentum in
the next decade. Unlike traditional networks, the challenges of research
into the ‘Internet of Things’ lie in the many differences between devices,
In 2013, the iMinds Internet Technologies Department launched 5 new
FIRE projects, and was also entrusted with the coordination of 2 major
FIRE projects.
in the language they use to communicate with each other, and in finding
cost and energy efficient solutions. Safety, for individuals and society,
is another big concern.
The iMinds Internet Technologies Department proactively develops
innovative network technologies.
Ingrid Moerman: “CREW specializes in test facilities for
smart radio networks that independently adapt to the
environment. FORGE tries to integrate FIRE test facilities
Jeroen Hoebeke (senior researcher iMinds - IBCN - Ghent
into learning environments. And with FLEX, we are
University): “With MoCo and COMACOD, two ICON
working on ‘test beds’ for open long-term experiments.
projects, we produced a very low-cost and energy-
For example, an LTE infrastructure is offered allowing the
efficient solution for the continuous tracking and tracing
partners to study the influence of these 4G networks on
of containers. A start-up was also created as a result:
mobile applications.”
Track4C.”
Ingrid Moerman (research leader iMinds - IBCN - Ghent
University): “To improve the quality of life in cities, we
developed − under the ‘GreenWeCan’ project title − a
smart outdoor Wi-Fi network which guarantees continuous
connection, and a wireless sensor network that detects full
trash cans and free parking spaces for disabled people.”
22
HIGH-TECH VISUALIZATION
The field of image processing is evolving at lightning speed. And every
day, huge volumes of data are generated. Powerful algorithms are
Holographic TV soon a reality
indispensable in order to process and interpret this data. The iMinds
Multimedia Technologies Department is a major player on the world
“Due to recent developments in optics and photonics, on the one
stage in the development of high-quality visualization technologies.
hand, and increasingly sophisticated digital cameras on the other
hand, high-quality holography will be a reality, perhaps in the next
10 to 15 years,” predicts Peter Schelkens (iMinds - ETRO - VUB).
“The difficulty lies in the phenomenal computing power necessary
to go from a digital image to a hologram. Even the most powerful
supercomputer cannot do that today.”
That is why Peter Schelkens’ team is looking for more efficient data
representations that will boost the further development of holographic
television. “In medical imaging, holography will provide considerable
added value. The engineering, gaming and entertainment sectors too
will receive this technology with open arms.”
23
BIG DATA ANALYSIS: TURNING FIGURES INTO KNOWLEDGE
The ‘big’ in Big Data refers not only to the size of data flows, but also
to the speed, volume and capacity required to manage that data and
‘Everything is connected’
draw conclusions out of it. How do you interpret Big Data in real time?
And how do you deal with privacy and security? The iMinds Internet
Technologies,
Medical
Information
Technologies
and
Multimedia
Erik Mannens: “This application uses existing links to DBPedia,
Technologies Departments are working on these complex questions.
the semantic version of Wikipedia, to automatically generate a story
between two concepts. Using two search terms, we build a story
within seconds. A link with Facebook provides a personal touch,
Erik Mannens (iMinds - MMLab - Ghent University): “Big Data will change
while Google Images or YouTube enrich it even further.”
our lives, in a subtle and noticeable way. By combining their own data with
the traces that consumers leave behind through their devices and other
real-time sensor information, companies and governments can recognize
trends, increase their productivity and achieve a strategic edge.”
‘eXtasy’: faster diagnosis for genetic disorders
Bart De Moor (iMinds - STADIUS - KU Leuven and Head of Research
of iMinds Medical Information Technologies Department) sees in Big
Data a valuable additional asset for Flemish molecular biotechnology.
Bart De Moor: “Searching for disease-causing mutations in a genome
“Biologists are often inadequately trained to handle large volumes of data.
is like looking for a needle in a haystack. With the ‘eXtasy’ software,
Mathematicians and engineers at iMinds play a key role in unraveling this
we are able to trace those mutations up to 20 times more accurately.
data.”
The automated analysis of a series of clinical and research data gives
physicians a valuable tool in making diagnostic decisions.”
24
SECURITY & PRIVACY: NEW PLATFORMS, NEW GAME RULES
E-health, e-media, e-banking, e-logistics, e-voting … New applications
bring specific challenges in the areas of security and privacy. These are
all priorities on the research agenda of the iMinds Security Department
(COSIC, ICRI and DistriNet), who is also collaborating with the SMIT
research group.
Caroline Pauwels (iMinds - SMIT - VUB and Head of Research of the
iMinds Digital Society Department): “Our personal data and digital
footprint are increasingly being used – and misused – by governments,
advertisers and criminals. Yet, many people do not realize this or they are
not sufficiently protected.”
SPION: an in-house spy
SPION brings together researchers from various disciplines in a
collaboration focused on the understanding of various privacy issues
within the context of online social networks. “Our ambition with the
SPION project is to support and empower the users of social media,”
explains Bart Preneel (iMinds - COSIC - KU Leuven). “SPION has
already led to several privacy enhancing tools. It also helped tighten
the policy of information flows via Web scripts in Web browsers.”
25
Unsuspecting users are ‘tracked’
Out of the 1,000 top websites that iMinds and KU Leuven investigated
in 2013, 145 seemed to be using ‘device fingerprinting’. The tested
websites were tracking the surfing activities with the help of cookies
and scripts, without the user’s knowledge or consent. Device
fingerprinting dodges the ‘do not track’ option and legal restrictions
around the use of cookies.
Bart Preneel: “Our study was the first to examine how often this
happens. Our researchers developed the FPDetective program
for that purpose and other researchers can use this tool freely to
develop it further.”
26
RESULTS
THAT CAN IMPROVE
THE ECONOMY
AND SOCIETY
Providing useful demand-driven solutions is at the heart of what we do
at iMinds. Our research projects produce results that are translated
into tangible products and services.
Some of our research pathways even lead to start-ups.
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RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Sending large (multimedia) files from and
to trains
The operating room of the future
TRACK developed a way to create a stable connection between
trains and the outside world, using a combination of wireless network
technologies (Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE and WiMAX).
Telesurgery developed a digital platform for real-time interaction
between medical staff in the operation room and remotely located
experts. The technology is based on surgical images and video feeds.
RAILS, the follow-up project, decentralized that network to further
improve its scalability and reliability, and used femtocell technology
which limits the exposure of travelers to electromagnetic radiation
generated onboard for the network connection.
“Barco has been able to apply the new concepts and insights in the
further development and marketing of its Barco-Nexxis products.”
Johan Stockman
Barco
“Innovation is of paramount importance for Televic Rail. Only
through innovation can we offer products and services with clear
added value to our customers. It is therefore the key to sustainable
growth.”
Dirk Van Den Wouwer
Duration: July 2010 – December 2012
Televic Rail
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Partners: Barco | iMinds - ETRO - VUB | iMinds - IBCN - Ghent University | iMinds ICRI - KU Leuven | iMinds - IPI - Ghent University | iMinds - MICT - Ghent University |
iMinds - SMIT - VUB | Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum | SDNsquare | Unilabs |
Teleradiology
Duration TRACK: October 2009 – September 2012
Duration RAILS: January 2012 – December 2013
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Partners: Bombardier Transportations Brugge | iMinds - iLab.t | iMinds - ETRO - VUB |
iMinds - IBCN - Ghent University | iMinds - MMLab - Ghent University | iMinds MOSAIC - Antwerp University | iMinds - WiCa - Ghent University | Newtec Cy (only TRACK) |
Nokia Solutions and Networks (Belgium) | Televic Group | NMBS/SNCB (only RAILS) |
Option (only RAILS) | UiFY – B-Tac (only RAILS)
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RESEARCH
RESEARCH
A ‘green’ wireless urban network
for the development of advanced
communication services
A single personal login giving you safe and
easy access to media websites, applications
and services
GreenWeCan developed a reliable and wireless sensor and Wi-
Media ID developed concepts and technologies that pave the way for
Fi urban network, wherein the mobile spectrum was optimized to
a single central login and payment system for the online applications
reduce public exposure to radiation. Sensors offer a wide range of
of the various Belgian media players.
capabilities in an urban context: identification of free parking spaces,
traffic monitoring and control, signaling which trash cans are full for
“Media ID will allow media companies to get to know their customers
the purpose of waste collection, etc.
better and as a result, provide them with customized, personalized
information offerings. It will also enable media companies to roll
out new business models.”
Hans Deridder
De Persgroep
Duration: February 2011 – July 2013
Duration: February 2013 – May 2014
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Project type: MiX-ICON, funded by IWT
Partners: Androme | Bausch Datacom | Be-Mobile | iMinds - DistriNet - KU Leuven |
iMinds - EDM - Hasselt University | iMinds - IBCN - Ghent University | iMinds - MICT Ghent University | iMinds - MOSAIC - Antwerp University | iMinds - SMIT - VUB | iMinds
- WiCa - Ghent University | Intergemeentelijke Vereniging voor Afvalbeheer in Gent en
Omstreken | OneAccess Belgium | Stad Gent
Partners: Corelio Publishing | De Persgroep | iMinds - Living Labs | iMinds - COSIC - KU
Leuven | iMinds - CUO - KU Leuven | iMinds - DistriNet - KU Leuven | iMinds - ICRI - KU
Leuven | iMinds - MICT - Ghent University | iMinds - SMIT - VUB | Mediafin | Mediahuis |
Media ID | iMinds Media Innovation Center | Mediargus | Roularta Media Group | Sanoma
Media Belgium | Vlaamse Media Maatschappij | VRT
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RESEARCH
Making track & trace applications for containers
even more flexible and manageable
MoCo developed an energy efficient system for the monitoring
of containers. COMACOD, the follow-up project, is working on
systems that enable two-way communication between the tracking
device and the back-end system, the management of large
numbers of devices and the secure integration with the Internet.
Duration MoCo: April 2010 – March 2012
Duration COMACOD: January 2013 – December 2014
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Partners: iMinds - DistriNet - KU Leuven | iMinds - IBCN - Ghent University | iMinds - WiCa
- Ghent University | Invenso | Multicap | OneAccess Belgium | Track4C | Trimble
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RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Automatically enrich e-texts with different types
of background information (photos, additional
articles, etc.)
Preparing the future of
e-commerce in Flanders
The iRead+ consortium developed a tool that automates text enrichment as much as possible. It subsequently created a framework
that can serve various target groups, from new language learners to
dyslexics. The underlying enrichment technology opens the door to
many new applications.
CoMobile played a major role in the development of a ‘mobile
wallet’ application in Flanders, using state-of-the-art technology
such as geofencing and geomarketing.
Different services – loyalty cards, coupons, prepaid cards and
virtual currencies – were examined and presented to a large-scale test
panel.
“For me, iMinds is the organization that gives small and large
companies the opportunity to work together. In Flanders, we need
projects in which we innovate together.”
Frank Bekkers
Mobile Vikings
Duration: January 2012 – December 2013
Duration: August 2011 – December 2013
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Partners: Basisschool Spermalie | Business Language and Communication Centre Leuven | Cartamundi Digital | dINK | iMinds - CUO - KU Leuven | iMinds - ITEC - KU Leuven |
iMinds - MMLab - Ghent University | iMinds - SMIT - VUB | Regionale Media Maatschappij
| Roularta Media Group | Sensotec | Televic Education
Partners: Alcatel-Lucent Bell | Belgian Direct Marketing Association | Cardwise | Clear2Pay | iMinds - Living Labs | iMinds - COSIC - KU Leuven | iMinds - CUO - KU Leuven
| iMinds - ICRI - KU Leuven | iMinds - MICT - Ghent University | iMinds - SMIT - VUB |
Massive Media Match | VikingCo
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RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Preparing Internet technology for the streaming of
high quality video images
Assist caregivers and make sure there is better
coordination between the different care providers
Care4Balance is working on an easy-to-use interactive device
with an intelligent dashboard that continuously captures status
information on the care-dependent and communicates with the care
providers.
MISTRAL experimented with a new streaming technology that, in
addition to enhancing image quality, also reduced the time lag of
forwarded pictures. Consequently, the consortium also immediately
laid the foundations for new videoconference platforms.
Duration: March 2013 – August 2015
Duration: January 2012 – December 2013
Project type: European project, Living Lab research, funded by the EC
Project type: ICON, co-funded by iMinds, with IWT project funding
Partners: Alcatel-Lucent Bell | Amsta | ConnectedCare | Hogeschool van Amsterdam
(Almere) | iMinds - Living Labs | iMinds - IBCN - Ghent University | iMinds - SMIT - VUB
| Pervaya | Televic Healthcare | Van Dorp zorg en welzijn bv | Vigisense | Zentral- und
hochchulbibliothek Luzern
Partners: Alcatel-Lucent Bell | Barco | Belgacom | iMinds - ETRO - VUB | iMinds - IBCN Ghent University | iMinds - MICT - Ghent University | iMinds - MMLab - Ghent University |
iMinds - SMIT - VUB | VRT
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START-UP
START-UP
Graphine takes 3D rendering
to new heights
Music scores enter the digital age
with neoScores
In early 2013 three researchers from iMinds - MMLab - Ghent University
traded in their research functions in order to set up Graphine, a start-up
specialized in real-time 3D rendering. Graphine is developing a technology that significantly raises the graphic quality of the final images and
the quantity of unique details in virtual environments, without loss of
memory capacity. With this technology, Graphine is targeting the international visualization and gaming industry.
neoScores digitizes music scores for musicians and producers. Uncharted
territory, such was the conclusion of the living lab project in which Bart
Van der Roost and his two fellow partners thoroughly went into their idea.
“The living lab research with iMinds showed that the digitization of
scores is a revolutionary concept, so we began an iStart project with
neoScores. We have to thank iMinds for enabling us to evolve in one year
from a bright idea in an Antwerp café to a start-up with three people.
“I had plenty of technical knowledge, but I lacked business experience.
iStart offered us inspiration, a business network and capital to take the
iStart guided me from A to Z, with regard to content as well as on a
plunge.”
practical level. The funding allowed us to explore our market, take part
in fairs and set up our website. Graphine meanwhile has forged good
Bart Van der Roost
ties with the major European and American players, and is now eying the
Asian market. Our ambition is to get up to 30 percent of all ‘high-end
www.neoscores.com
games’ to run on our product – like what Divinity Dragon Commander by
Larian Studios is already doing.”
Aljosha Demeulemeester
Co-founder of Graphine
www.graphinesoftware.com
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Co-founder of neoScores
START-UP
START-UP
Catering gets to enjoy innovative POS system
by POSIOS
Twikit brings 3D customization with 3D printing
to the consumer
Zhong Xu has struck gold with POSIOS. The software company developed an integrated POS system for hospitality businesses that runs on
tablets and smartphones.
Gijs Hoppenbrouwers and his two associates developed a solution for 3D
customization. Twikit enables 3D visualization of products in the context
of websites or mobile applications, next to personalization, integration
with e-commerce and digital production – such as 3D printing.
“POSIOS got a strong boost when a large US Apple supplier discovered
our app. Today, almost 1,000 hospitality businesses in 38 countries
“With the expert coaching of the iStart team we were able to very quickly
are already using our application. The accommodation provided by
concretize our idea further into a workable business model. As a result,
iMinds allowed us to receive large companies in a professional manner,
after a few months we already cashed in the first contracts, which is the
right from the beginning. The iStart team also offered us business advice
best way to secure even more customers. Now is the time to achieve
and legal support. This made sure we could focus fully on the launch of
rapid growth and to maintain our edge over the big players by launching
our product.”
applications at retailers and brands in Europe and beyond.”
Zhong Xu
Co-founder of POSIOS
www.posios.com
Gijs Hoppenbrouwers
www.twikit.com
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Co-founder of Twikit
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