WASP - Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program

About WASP

The fourth industrial revolution is upon us, as automation becomes autonomy. LiU conducts outstanding research in several of the fields that are central to the Wallenberg AI Autonomous Systems and Software Program, WASP.

Autonomous cars, decision-support systems in industry and robots that collaborate both with each other and with humans are just some examples from the initial phase of the fourth industrial revolution.

Linköping University is home to several leading research environments in fields central to WASP. LiU’s research into computer vision was selected in 2018 by Vinnova as the most prominent Swedish research environment in artificial intelligence. Top-flight research groups in automatic control and vehicle systems, both of which will be vital in the development of autonomous systems, are also based at LiU. The Media and Information Technology division at Campus Norrköping has world-leading research within visualization, artificial intelligence and decision support. Other leading research is carried out at the Department of Computer and Information Science within artificial intelligence, multiagent systems and machine learning.

WASP is a forceful initiative in basic research, education and recruitment within autonomous systems and software development. WASP's vision is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish industry. WASP has five partner universities: Chalmers University of Technology, Linköping University, Lund University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Umeå University, with LiU as host. In addition, there are WASP affiliated research groups at Örebro University, Uppsala University and Luleå University of Technology. It is by far the largest individual research program in Sweden and collaboration with Swedish industry is crucial.

The investment will amount to SEK 6.2 billion during the programme, which ends in 2031. The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation will provide SEK 4.9 billion of the funding, with further contributions from the university and participating industrial companies. WASP is the largest individual research investment in Sweden in modern time.

At the bottom of this page is a list of WASP researchers at Linköping University.

WASP - facts and figures

  • Launched in 2015
  • Will continue at least until 2031
  • Funding in total 6,2 billion SEK, whereof 4,9 billion SEK is donated by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the rest is co-funding from partner universities and Swedish industry.
  • 57 successful international recruitments of senior faculty made by March 2023
  • 80 companies and organisations engaged in the program
  • Aiming to exam 600 PhD students, whereof 150 in industry
  • Aiming to establish at least 80 research groups

Contact WASP at LiU

News

A part of the supercomputer that glows red.

AI may boost society's cybersecurity

The race between hackers trying to crack systems vital to the functioning of society and cybersecurity experts is constantly ongoing. LiU-researchers will now develop AI that can detect hacker attacks and take action before any damage is done.

An AI look into the future

Humming supercomputers, robot dogs on rescue missions and plenty of future opportunities with AI and the research programmes WASP and WISE. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson got many impressions from his visit to Linköping University.

Anders Ynnerman.

WASP extended with a new initiative: AI for Science

Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation grants SEK 70 million to WASP for a new initiative that promotes the uptake of AI based methodologies in academic research in Sweden.

WASP nationally

Contacts WASP nationally

Videos

Turning huge amounts of data into information

One important application of the MIT-technology can be found within WASP, where one major branch of the programme is involved in training autonomous, driverless vehicles in various difficult traffic situations.

Autonomous sea rescue tested

The WASP arena for public safety, WARA PS, is the first to demonstrate an autonomous search-and-rescue system for sea use. (The video is in swedish, text in english)

Flying AI research

We are far from being able to coexist with flying robots in our urban landscapes, but one of the demonstrations within the WASP arena for public safety was a drone that politely gets out of the way when a person walks towards it.

WASP at LiU at several departments

Department of Computer and Information Science (IDA)

Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY)

Department of Management and Engineering (IEI)

Department of Mathematics (MAI)

Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

Department of Science and Technology (ITN)

Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA)

Are you visiting this page in your mobile? Don't miss these WASP pages:

robot dog Spot, drone, small helicopter, operator

WASP at Department of Computer and Information Science (IDA)

WASP, Wallenberg AI autonomous systems and software program, is the largest individual research investment in Sweden in modern times. One of the WASP research environments at LiU is located at the Department of Computer and Information Science.

WASP Humanities and Society at IEI and TEMA

The Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation has granted SEK 96 million to be shared by 16 research projects studying the impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems on our society and our behaviour. Two are conducted at LiU.

Computer vision

WASP at Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY)

WASP Computer Vision Laboratory, WASP Sensor fusion, WASP Vehicular Systems and WASP Optimization for Learning and Autonomy are located at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY) on Campus Valla in Linköping.

A man on a stepping ladder next to a circular rigg.

WASP at Department of Science and Technology (ITN)

Our research environment is located at the division of Media and Information Technology on Campus Norrköping. Our work draws on 20 years of research, focusing on visualization and interaction in the context of AI, autonomous systems and software.

abstract image with algorithms and digital symbols

WASP at Department of Mathematics (MAI)

This page is about WASP Mathematics. You can read about our two research groups: Mathematics and algorithms for intelligent decision-making, Optimisation for machine learning.

Piotr Rudol with one of the drones at Gränsö

Work at WASP

Check our our job openings at WASP, Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program, at Linköping University and apply today.

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