The considerable increase in the number of robots and unmanned (semi )autonomous systems in complex situations results in a challenging execution of tasks reliant on technology for providing the required support. Examples include: improving the information position and increasing effectiveness, which can make the work safer and more attractive. The call ‘Collaboration between people and (semi )autonomous systems (KIC)’ focuses on the further development of autonomous or semi autonomous systems, their use in society and how people work with these systems.
Source: NWO
The call is expected to be published at the end of February.
Aim of the call
This call aims to stimulate interdisciplinary research that contributes to further development of the collaboration between humans and (semi‑)autonomous systems. In this field, technological and social innovations go hand in hand. In this call, the societal and organisational aspects, development of the technology and the improvement of human-machine teaming will be examined. There is a considerable demand for further development of AI and (semi-)autonomous systems, with extra attention for the robustness and optimisation of such systems and their deployment. Within this call, there is a particular focus on the successful transition to the use of (semi‑)autonomous systems by government organisations in the defence and security domain, for instance to take over execution of primary tasks.
Addressing the societal aspects at an early stage, including any potential ethical, legal and behavioural issues so that these can be incorporated in the design process, is essential if organisations are to be permitted and able to utilise these systems. Knowledge about the processes involved with technology appropriation are particularly relevant in this regard. The challenges described will also require further development of the sensor technology of systems as well as AI technology. Given the context of the defence and security domain, the proposals must employ concrete use cases related to the domain within which the research takes place, with the aim of implementing the research results.
Research proposals
Research proposals should focus on one of the following research areas: (1) reliability & resilience; (2) security; (3) robustness. Each research proposal must integrate research into the following universal aspects: human-machine teaming; societal and organisational aspects; development of AI; and development of technology.
Interdisciplinary collaboration
The interdisciplinary research within this call will focus on the collaboration between humans and (semi‑)autonomous systems in the (civil) security domain, with a particular emphasis on the further development of and research into physical robots and autonomous or semi‑autonomous systems. Development of and research into solely digital (semi‑)autonomous systems falls outside the scope of this call. Given the context of the defence and security domain, all proposals must employ concrete use cases related to the domain within which the research takes place, with the aim of implementing the research results.
Researchers from the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, as equally researchers from universities of applied sciences, are invited to submit a joint project proposal for this call. NWO will facilitate the realisation of joint proposals by organising a matchmaking meeting following the publication of the call.
KIC seeks technological and economic opportunities
KIC seeks technological economic opportunities The NWO research programme KIC focuses on groundbreaking innovative solutions with societal and economic impact. Companies, knowledge institutions and government bodies jointly invest in the commercial application of knowledge to tackle major societal challenges through the use of smart technologies. By doing this, both jobs and income can be secured for the future. This is established in the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) 2020-2023 that connects with the Mission-driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy of the Dutch government. NWO brings together companies and knowledge institutions and funds groundbreaking research based on their innovative, high-impact research proposals.
