Part of the purpose of the VME is to be a bridge between universities and industries. We are a space where experts from different fields gather to create innovative solutions and pilot projects. The VME is for all; startups, industry partners, students and researchers alike. Whether you'd like to collaborate with us, conduct research or even just have a look around – welcome!
The VME is an Interaction Design Environment for all; startups, industry partners, students and researchers alike. We are a space for like-minded people to gather, united by a passion for interaction design. Whether you’d like to collaborate with us, conduct research or even just have a look around – welcome! The first step to getting involved with us is to reach out to one of our friendly VME team. They can tell you more about the VME, answer your questions and help you plan a visit. We look forward to working together with you!
The project will create a new approach to meeting companies and students in connection with research and piloting of user interfaces, as well as a wide range of services to improve the learning, planning and development of the region and research. The range of services enables universities, businesses and researchers to operate across borders so that research work combines the real needs of companies for development.
In addition to the University of Vaasa, the project steering group includes Åbo Akademi, ABB, Visma and Wärtsilä
Ongoing projects in collaboration with VME
- BUGGED – Emotional Experience of Privacy and Ethics in Everyday Pervasive Systems
- “Emotional Experience of Privacy and Ethics in Everyday Pervasive Systems (BUGGED) is a project that focuses on the personal side of cyber security, particularly regarding privacy and ethics (including ethical use) of the Internet in everyday life. This multidisciplinary project examines the emotional experience of privacy and ethics in relation to everyday interactions in pervasive computing systems.”
- SYNTHETICA – Multifaceted Ripple Effects and Limitations of AI-Human Interplay at Work, Business, and Society
- “SYNTHETICA examines the complex and multifaceted ripple effects and limitations of AI-human interplay in the contexts of work, business, and society. It focuses on contemporary data-driven organizations through their ICT development and application practices as well as discursive constructions that manifest the limitations of this technology. Limits will be addressed on several cross-sectional dimensions that include technical, human, sociocultural, and communicative”
- TEIJO – Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms Supporting Leadership
- “We will examine how AI can be used to support leadership and how it changes everyday supervisory work. We will also examine the cognitive requirements of the cooperation between AI and humans as well as supervisors’ perceptions of the impact of AI on work. We produce information on best practices in AI-assisted leadership and supporting wellbeing at work.”
- Misleading Consumers
- “The MisLead project investigates misleading commercial practices in digital market spaces. Various online scams to mislead consumers have exploded. The harmfulness of the phenomenon is acknowledged, but multidisciplinary and critical analysis of the market logic is lacking. MisLead investigates the roles and practices of human and non-human actors in disseminating misleading online content.”
Previous projects
- Compact and efficient deep neural networks for ubiquitous computer vision
- Digiconsumers
- Leadis – Leading from distance
- REPEAT – Robust and Efficient Perception for Autonomous Things
- Talking Machines. Electronic voice and the interpretation of emotions and self-understanding in human-machine communication in 1960–2020
Environment and Devices
VME is located in Technobothnia, which offers a diverse laboratory environment and platform for research and local cooperation between universities and companies. The VME working environment consists of two workspaces. The 60 m^2 space (TF4105) is suitable for training and testing, and is also customizable for conducting group work and workshops. The 3D laboratory workspaces (Virtual Factory, TF4107) offer possibilities for 3D modelling and printing. We are constantly developing our facilities. Currently, our work environments provide a comprehensive framework for the development and testing of user interfaces.
The laboratory includes: Tobii Pro Nano eye tracking system, HoloLens 2, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest and software such as iMotions, Unity, Unreal Engine etc.