CVC to create a living laboratory in Sant Cugat

The UAB, the Computer Vision Centre and the Sant Cugat City Hall have signed a collaboration agreement which will give way to the creation of a living laboratory based on new technologies in vision, the Volpelleres Library Living Lab (VL³). The initiative was put forth by the Volpelleres Neighbourhood Association and the CVC. It will entail the participation of users in the process of innovation and research conducted by the researchers at the centre.

06/02/2014

The project is an exponent of the strategic policies the UAB and the CVC have to promote the innovation ecosystem of the UAB-CIE environment. This strategy promotes active policies to bring top level research closer to the territory, as part of the social challenges exposed by R&D&I programmes in Catalonia and in Europe.

The purpose of the project is to produce a positive impact on society with the implementation of a technological services incubator at the Volpelleres Library "Miquel Batllori". The Volpelleres Library Living Lab (VL³) will allow library users to project their cultural and artistic developments in innovative and creative manners, to acquire more knowledge within a highly powerful educational environment and to enjoy a new culturally related and technology-based leisure area. The lab will a place in which the application of new vision-based technologies will created new forms of interaction between readers and books, offering them the ability to personalise their reading experience, sharing it with other users and enriching it. The VL³ must not be viewed as a closed project but more of a starting point, a testing ground for what could be an example for future initiatives.

The initiative aims to integrate nature with the user as part of the innovation process, helping to change the person's awareness on the relevant role of innovation in the new paradigm of society and in the value of the contributions made by each individual to make this change happen. The role of citizens is essential given that they are the ones to detect and expose the real needs and requirements of society. In this case, the neighbours of Volpelleres will be participating in the process by testing different technologies applied to solving these needs.

Some of the tasks of CVC as leader of the project in implementing the Volpelleres Library Living Lab are to guarantee the correct development of the laboratory, to manage the permanent work group, to canalise the initiative's interests and continuously to provide added value to the project, as well as offering the necessary training for events and for those working there.

The signing of the agreement included representatives of the three entities, Ferran Sancho, rector of the UAB, Josep Lladós, director of CVC, and Mercè Conesa, Mayor of Sant Cugat.