Robots set to learn how to provide better assistance during surgery

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Minimally invasive surgery has many advantages for patients and surgical teams, such as shorter recovery times, lower post-operative complication rates, higher patient acceptance rates and increased cost efficiency. One key area here is interventional radiology, where external imaging equipment is used to guide the surgical instruments through the body. Robots can support in this task. However, those who believe that robots “operate” independently are (as yet) mistaken: The robot systems available today are pure tele-operators or mere assistants for holding and targeting tools; that’s all they can do. Now, a research project led by the University of Klagenfurt wants to explore additional advantages of “operating robots” and increase their autonomy when it comes to supporting surgeons. Read more →

Helicopter flies to Mars: Researcher based in Klagenfurt provided the navigation technology

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According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, on 30 July the new Mars Rover “Perseverance” will take off from Cape Canaveral, bound for Mars. Also on board is the first ever “Mars helicopter”, which will undertake exploratory flights. The helicopter is navigated using a technology that Stephan Weiss, Professor at the Department of Smart Systems Technologies, was instrumental in developing.  

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Successful testing of UWB sensor network in industrial setting

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Wireless communication is becoming increasingly important in industrial companies, as production processes frequently have to be adapted and optimized. Laying new cables each time would reduce flexibility. Together with the companies Messfeld and Dewesoft and the research institutes JOANNEUM RESEARCH DIGITAL and FH Campus 02, the University of Klagenfurt and Lakeside Labs GmbH have now tested a UWB network in an industrial setting.

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The University of Klagenfurt and Bitmovin collaborate on innovative video transmission technologies

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Bitmovin is a leading global provider of online video technology. Working with the University of Klagenfurt and funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW), collaborative efforts will now focus on new technologies set to improve the video streaming experience in the future. Bearing the title ATHENA (Adaptive Streaming over HTTP and Emerging Networked Multimedia Services), the project has been endowed with a budget worth several million Euros.

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Simulating cyber-physical threats to the City of Vienna

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A large number of critical infrastructure facilities are located in cities and their surroundings, providing essential services in a compact geographical space and resulting in mutual physical and logical dependencies. The provision of services such as electricity, gas, water, communication, food, fuel, road or rail, in particular, is achieved by operating extensive networks. In the FFG-funded project ODYSSEUS, Stefan Rass (Institute of Applied Informatics) and his team are working on developing a framework for a simulation designed to forecast the consequences of attacks on such interlinked infrastructure facilities.  

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Der Atlas Novus mit der ersten wirklichkeitsnahen Karte von China

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Der Atlas Novus, bekannt auch als Atlas Blaeu, zählt zu den umfangreichsten Kartenwerken des 17. Jahrhunderts. Die Universitätsbibliothek präsentiert die Bände Europa, England, Schottland und China der lateinischen Ausgabe aus der Zeit von 1648 bis 1655 aus dem eigenen Besitz. Die Eröffnung der 20. Ausstellung in der Reihe Kostbarkeiten aus der Bibliothek findet am 4. Dezember mit einem Vortrag von Petra Svatek von der ÖAW statt.

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Does smell sell? Overview study provides evidence of ambient scent effects in consumer settings

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Within the scope of a detailed meta-analysis, Holger Roschk has examined 64 studies with 71 samples and a total of 15,000 test persons to find out to what extent ambient scents have an effect on experiences and activities in shopping and service environments. Results show: Under ideal conditions, scents can have a positive influence on customer behaviour. 

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Using existing cellular networks for drones

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It might soon become common for drones to transport goods and people, monitor disaster zones, and bring various forms of relief to areas that are difficult to access. Which communication infrastructure is best suited to facilitate this? Researchers at the University of Klagenfurt have explored potential challenges associated with the use of traditional cellular networks.

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Expanding the sensory skills of machines

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Machines are already capable of many things. A certain set of sensors has already been fully developed. And yet, Harald Gietler, researcher at the Department of Smart Systems Technologies seeks to discover: “Who knows what kinds of sensors we will need in the future?” He is currently developing a new technology, which will allow machines to determine the location of other machines.

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Enabling drones to fly long-durations autonomously

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In practical settings, ten minutes of flight time are generally not enough for most applications. A team comprised of researchers from the University of Klagenfurt (AAU) and NASA-JPL/California is working on ways to enable the autonomous flight of drones in several stages with intermittent charging phases. Christian Brommer, AAU doctoral student, has recently published the results of his research.

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