The project 6G-PATH (6G-Pilots and Trials Through Europe), in which the departments of computer science and nursing at Karlstad University participate, has been included on this year’s IVA 100 List. The project aims to develop solutions for the healthcare education sector through advanced communication technology.
"Being on the 100 List shows that our research project has the potential to create tangible societal change and that transdisciplinary research brings together the best of both worlds. It’s wonderful that the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) is recognizing a project that explores how remote healthcare staff can participate and play vital roles in critical situations through the aid of technology. I hope this inspires clinically active nurses interested in technical solutions to take their ideas to the next level," says Anna Nordin, who researches digital health innovation in healthcare.
The goal of the project is to use 5G and 6G to make healthcare education more realistic and flexible. 6G technology, the next step beyond 5G, is expected to enable a variety of innovative applications. One such area is XR (Extended Reality), which encompasses everything from virtual reality to enhanced digital experiences.
"It’s of course both exciting and an honor for our research to be selected for IVA’s 100 List. It shows that our research is practically relevant and can benefit not only academia but also society at large. Being selected for IVA's list provides exciting opportunities for new connections and feedback on how we can further develop our research. The 5G/6G and VR technologies we’re studying in this project can be applied to a wide range of areas," says Anna Brunström, professor of computer science.
A key aspect of the project is the use of mobile technology for remote training. Training equipment, such as patient simulators, can then be used outside the classroom—in an ambulance, for example, or at a simulated accident site. Students can also participate remotely via VR, making education more accessible and cost-effective. The project also has the potential to support healthcare professionals in emergency situations.
"We focus on education, but the same technology could also give someone who may not be as experienced in healthcare the opportunity to get support from a colleague or mentor if they need a second opinion at short notice. This could take the form of equipment, such as body-worn cameras, that allows someone to see the patient remotely," says Anna Nordin.
About IVA’s 100 List
The 100 List is compiled by IVA’s Research2Business (R2B) initiative, which aims to make Sweden a leader in transforming academic research in technical and economic sciences into innovation and competitiveness in industry. IVA's 100 List was launched in connection with IVA’s centenary in 2019, hence the name. The selection committee consists of over 60 qualified individuals from IVA’s extensive network of representatives from academia, industry, and public sector. IVA's R2B is run in collaboration with Vinnova, Sting, the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV), Voima Ventures, the Knowledge Foundation (KK-stiftelsen), the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Teknikföretagen, and Sweden’s universities and colleges.
"Sweden has outstanding research with great potential to improve the world through new technology. The high quality of the research made it particularly challenging for IVA’s selection committee to choose this year’s most promising research projects for the 100 List," says Sylvia Schwaag Serger, professor and CEO of IVA.
