The Urban Mobile Robotics project combines environmental research, urban environmental needs, and the urban environment as a test bed with robotics, measurement technology, and multi-stakeholder RDI collaboration in a unique way to create an exciting development environment. The value and novelty of the project lies in using the urban environment as a testing platform for robotics-based environmental applications, which has barely been done before. Hardly any suitable technological solutions currently exist for the challenges related to urban environmental themes. This creates significant business potential for companies in the industry, both domestically and internationally. The purpose of the project is to promote the competitiveness and growth of robotics companies in the Helsinki metropolitan area, as well as other closely related companies, by: ●Developing a local operating environment and RDI collaboration that benefits companies ●Strengthening expertise and innovation activities in the industry ●Promoting the development of new technologies Due to technical reasons related to the funding programme, the project is implemented as two parallel projects by two organisations (Forum Virium Helsinki and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences). The core target group of the project includes small and medium-sized robotics companies and startups in the area, as well as other SMEs closely related to the industry. The most important are companies developing software, electronics, and robotics mechanics; suppliers and developers of measurement and IoT technology; consultancy firms related to the industry; integrators of various solutions; and robotics maintenance and support services providers. During the project, robotics experts, specialists in data and artificial intelligence, technology suppliers, RDI experts, and public sector actors seeking robotics solutions for urban environments will participate together in developing the project's operating environment. At the same time, a new ecosystem is being built where demand, suppliers, integrators, data, and maintenance converge, with the potential to eventually scale to the European market. As the project's primary outcome, the local robotics innovation system is strengthened, directly supporting business-oriented RDI activities. Sharing of knowledge and expertise improves, and innovation collaboration between companies and between companies and RDI organizations increases. As a result of the impactful innovation platform and RDI collaboration model for robotics actors in the Helsinki metropolitan area, the business and export opportunities of the target group companies will grow in the longer term, creating new jobs in these companies. The developed operating model can later be applied to other specific themes in robotics. The project particularly supports the objective of the ERDF programme to develop the operating environments of SMEs and to increase the RDI activities and competitiveness of companies. The project also supports the priorities of ERDF's Specific Objective 1.1. The project also supports various regional, national, and international strategies such as the Uusimaa Smart Specialization Strategy, the Uusimaa Regional Programme, the Uusimaa RDI Roadmap, and the EU Baltic Sea Strategy. The project also supports the City of Helsinki's goals to promote the development of pilot and testing environments for companies. Also, it addresses the gender equality and sustainable development objectives of the ERDF programme.
