The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (EDIH) is co-financed by the European Union from the "European Digital Innovation Hubs" program (project number 101083677) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
In order to increase the digital capacity of Estonian industrial companies, we conduct test before invest demo projects where we test artificial intelligence and robotics solutions to overcome the challenges of companies. Valuing the broad-based creation of innovation, we initiate test before invest demo projects in as many different fields as possible and develop innovative solutions that do not duplicate existing technologies offered by private companies.
Demonstration projects portfolio
Demostration projects to increase the competitiveness of industrial enterprises
AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE) invites Estonian manufacturing companies to submit applications to the “Call for ideas for test before invest demoprojects” in order to increase competitiveness of the Estonian manufacturing industry. Our future is in our hands. AIRE’s demo test before invest project service allows manufacturing companies to test Artificial Intelligece (AI) and robotics technologies before investing, encouraging further investment in digital technologies. Based on the idea round competition, AIRE team offers support to selected test before invest demo projects that test artificial intelligence and technologies that enable it (including robotics).
What are AIRE demonstration projects for?
AIRE enables collaboration with universities and other AIRE consortium partners (knowledge transfer) to test, experiment or validate the technological solution. AIRE does not support applied research. According to EDIH rules, AIRE does not give grants to companies (no cascade/ third party funding allowed). Based on the call for ideas, AIRE’s team provides extensive support for selected demonstration projects, which justifiably leverage AI and AI-enabling technologies (including robotics). The technology, methodology, or prototype tested and validated during the demonstration project must bring novelty and a degree of uncertainty (e.g., a tailor-made solution). The expected results of the AIRE demonstration projects are at least partly reusable in other enterprises and economic sectors.
The Applicant
The eligible Applicant is:
- A small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
(based on its last two fiscal years)
– Up to 250 employees
– Turnover up to €50 million
– Balance sheet total up to €43 million - Small middle-sized enterprises (small mid-caps)
– with at least 250 but less than 499 employees
- The company has no tax debts or payment difficulties.
- For prepring and implementing the demonstration project the Applicant has to involve Development Team among AIRE partner institutions:
Tallinn University of Technology
University of Tartu
Estonian University of Life Sciences
IMECC
What’s the budget for a demonstration project?
The maximum budget for test before invest demo project is up to €60,000, including up to €49,500 project direct costs as well as AIRE management and indirect costs, Digital Maturity Assessment and AIRE Club events participation of the company (Applicant) as well as dissemination costs).
The demonstration project falls party under state aid regulation. For implementing a demonstration project the Applicant uses its state aid in the amount of €24,000. The balance of state aid can be checked in the public state aid registry.
The requirements for participation in the Call for Idea
To be eligible for AIRE’s services, the Applicant needs to have completed the Digital Maturity Assessment. Also, it is recommended to have attended either on the AI Suitability Assessment or Robotics Suitability Assessment before applying for demonstration project. For participation in the Call for Ideas please submit an Application. Please follow the Guidelines when preparing the Application.
The Application has to be submitted on the Application form accompanied with annexes:
- CVs of the Development Team (at least team lead’s CV has to be attached, one can also refer to ETIS database for preseting the CV).
- Either AI Suitability Assessment report or Robotics Suitability Assessment report.
- Digital Maturity Assessment report (recommended).
- Any other document presenting the technological solution (if relevant).
The project will be implemented preferably within 6 – 9 months.
The Call for Ideas is open all year round – projects are launched 3-4 times a year. The deadline for submitting new applications is 20th of September 2024 on demonstration-projects@aire-edih.eu
For any further questions please consult with the service lead Katre Eljas: katre.eljas@taltech.ee
Related documents
Demonstration projects in the area of health technologies
In addition to manufacturing companies AIRE expands and pilots its demonstartion projects service to health technologies. The AIRE demonstration projects service allows health technology (incl. medical devices) companies and/or health and social care providers to test Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies for healthcare before investing, encouraging further investment in the health technologies.
Health technologies according to World Health Organisation include applications of organised knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures, and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of lives. This includes pharmaceuticals, devices, procedures, and organisational systems used in healthcare industry as well as computer supported information systems. This includes also artificial intelligence powered smart robotics.
What are AIRE demonstration projects for?
AIRE enables collaboration with universities and other AIRE consortium partners (knowledge transfer) to test, experiment or validate the technological solution. AIRE does not support applied research. According to EDIH rules, AIRE does not give grants to companies (no cascade/ third party funding allowed). Based on the call for ideas, AIRE’s team provides extensive support for selected demonstration projects, which justifiably leverage AI and AI-enabling technologies (including robotics). The technology, methodology, or prototype tested and validated during the demonstration project must bring novelty and a degree of uncertainty (e.g., a tailor-made solution). The expected results of the AIRE demonstration projects are at least partly reusable in other enterprises and economic sectors.
The Applicant
The eligible Applicant is:
- A small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
(based on its last two fiscal years)
– Up to 250 employees
– Turnover up to €50 million
– Balance sheet total up to €43 million - Small middle-sized enterprises (small mid-caps)
– with at least 250 but less than 499 employees
- The company has no tax debts or payment difficulties.
- For prepring and implementing the demonstration project the Applicant has to involve Development Team among AIRE partner institutions:
Tallinn University of Technology
University of Tartu
Estonian University of Life Sciences
IMECC
Tartu Science Park
Tehnopol Science and Business Park
What’s the budget for a demonstration project?
The maximum budget for test before invest demo project is up to €60,000, including up to €49,500 project direct costs as well as AIRE management and indirect costs, Digital Maturity Assessment and AIRE Club events participation of the company (Applicant) as well as dissemination costs).
The demonstration project falls party under state aid regulation. For implementing a demonstration project the Applicant uses its state aid in the amount of €24,000. The balance of state aid can be checked in the public state aid registry.
The requirements for participation in the Call for Idea
To be eligible for AIRE’s services, the Applicant needs to have completed the Digital Maturity Assessment. For participation in the Call for Ideas please submit an Application. Please follow the Guidelines when preparing the Application.
The Application has to be submitted on the Application form accompanied with annexes:
- CVs of the Development Team (at least team lead’s CV has to be attached, one can also refer to ETIS database for preseting the CV).
- Digital Maturity Assessment report (recommended).
- Any other document presenting the technological solution (if relevant).
By applying to run a demonstration project, the Applicant agrees to (among others):
- familiarize and follow the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for health rules and principles defined by the World Health Organisation.
- follow data protection rules as defined in General Data Protection Regulation and national legislation when personal data will be used during the demonstration project, incl. necessary approval(s) from the ethics committees.
- follow the EU AI Act in developing and testing the technological solution in healthcare sector during the demonstration project.
The Application must involve:
- hself-assessment of Innovation Readiness based on the Healthcare Innovation Cycle framework.
- a preliminary assessment (regulatory qualification and risk-classification on the basis of Medical Device Regulation or In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Regulation) whether the technical solution involves or is a medical device.
- a roadmap or strategy for go-to-market and steps for the solution implementation to healthcare.
The project will be implemented preferably within 4-9 months.
Signed applications (with CVs and other supporting documents) are welcome by 5th of May 2024 by email to demonstration-projects@aire-edih.eu.
For any further questions please consult with the service lead Katre Eljas: katre.eljas@taltech.ee
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LinkedIn +372 521 1994 Katre has more than 20 years of management experience in various teams and organizations. She has managed EU programs and projects in the public sector as well […]
