Here are the collaborative arenas where the transition is accelerating

Test and demonstration environments, also known as technology infrastructures, are important for the development of new products, services and innovations. In the more than 130 test and demonstration environments that RISE operates across the country, countless hypotheses have been tested, small-scale experiments have been scaled up and new products have been verified under realistic conditions.  

These environments also serve as meeting places for collaboration between business, industry, academia and RISE. It is not uncommon for regulators to be involved. Entire industries can also collaborate here, building new knowledge that speeds up technology development and system implementation.

"When we talk about collaboration, we mean when different actors come together and work together to solve common challenges. A good example of this is the green transition. For the transition to gain momentum, several actors from different disciplines, even those without a technology focus, need to work together," says Monica Ringvik, CTO at RISE.  

Two ways to collaborate 

There are two main routes to test and demonstration environments. The first, and most common, is when a company comes to RISE with the ambition of putting its new software or product into a context that is relevant to multiple actors.  

"One example is AstaZero, a full-scale test environment for autonomous vehicles. Here, car manufacturers can work with sensor manufacturers and also include telecom-based technology to see how it all works," says Monica Ringvik.  

"The other way is to come together around a common challenge. In this case, there is a concrete problem that requires the involvement of companies, authorities and lawyers when it comes to labelling new solutions. This is where RISE acts as an enabler," says Monica Ringvik:

"RISE is independent and has no vested interest in what is being developed, nor is it incentivised to make things better for any particular actor. We also have a very broad thematic focus, which means we can go a long way in-house when we need to involve more experts."

Networked test environments 

The 130 test and demonstration environments are not isolated islands, but can be linked together. For example, AstaZero, the test environment for autonomous vehicles, can be connected to the Cyber Range cybersecurity centre.  

"From there, we can subject software systems to simulated, controlled cyber-attacks. Each of the test environments is unique, and when we connect the infrastructure in this way, we become world leaders," says Monica Ringvik.  

In order for AstaZero, Cyber Range and the other test environments to continue to function as collaborative arenas and enablers for the development of new solutions in the future, it is important that they are kept up to date. If RISE falls behind in terms of equipment and technology, the environments are not worth much, says Monica Ringvik.  

"The ability to apply for grants nationally and in the European innovation system is crucial for the institute. "I would say that the test and demo environments give a good return on every krona invested in the form of technological advances and increased Swedish competitiveness. "