Development of the Research Infrastructure of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science

GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

The project aims to invest in the development of research infrastructure to support the growth of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI) in the areas of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3): “Photonics and Smart Materials, Technologies and Engineering Systems”, “Information and Communication Technologies”, and “Smart Energy and Mobility”, in line with EDI’s research achievements to date and strategic priorities.

The project activities include strengthening research capacity and consolidating research resources in one place by modernising research infrastructure. This will promote EDI’s participation in research at the European Union level and facilitate the use of its research infrastructure to address practical challenges in the economy. The project will be implemented as a non-economic activity and will involve the acquisition of new scientific research equipment, the modernisation of existing equipment, and the provision of resources and services to support research activities and foster innovation.

The planned investments in research infrastructure under this project will be made in accordance with EDI’s Development Strategy for 2021–2027 (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy) and RIS3 priorities. These investments will strengthen the Institute’s capacity to conduct internationally competitive research, foster innovation and the practical application of research in the economy, and ensure that this capacity is maintained at both national and international levels.

In particular, this investment will contribute to achieving EDI’s objective of “acquiring new knowledge through scientific methods and developing innovative technologies to promote the sustainable development of information and communication technologies and related scientific fields, and to strengthen the competitiveness of Latvia and the European Union”. It will also support EDI’s objectives for the next six years. Building on its position as a leading scientific institution in Latvia in the field of engineering and technology, as confirmed by an international evaluation, EDI aims to become a leading ICT research centre at the European level.

Investments in modern robotic systems infrastructure under this project will enable research to be conducted using facilities that meet current standards and respond to market needs and emerging research priorities.

Meanwhile, the development of high-performance computing (HPC), prototyping, measurement and testing infrastructure is essential for advancing each of the research areas identified in the Strategy: “High-Precision Event Timing”, “Remote Sensing and Space Data Processing”, “Robotics and Machine Perception”, “Signal Processing and Embedded Intelligence”, and “Smart Sensors and the Internet of Things”.

Artificial intelligence and large-scale data processing are now relevant to almost every industry, while rapid prototyping, precise measurement and testing are essential for nearly every project involving the development or use of hardware. Furthermore, these investments align with EDI’s Strategy, which identifies “Robotics and Machine Perception” as one of the Institute’s priority research areas. This field requires the development of new decision-making approaches and control algorithms for both industrial and mobile robots.

The project’s main activities involve developing research infrastructure, including the acquisition and modernisation of research equipment and its adaptation to research needs. As a result, EDI researchers will have access to modernised research infrastructure that enables them to conduct high-quality research and strengthen the Institute’s position as an internationally recognised research organisation.

PROJECT PROGRESS

• 28 September 2026: A procurement procedure entitled “Supply of an Industrial Robot System Kit” (Procurement ID No. EDI 2026/7/SP) was announced. The deadline for submitting tenders is 26 October 2026. This procurement is part of the project component “Acquisition of Stationary and Mobile Robot Systems and Related Components”.

• October 2026: Technical specifications are being prepared for the open tender “Supply of Prototyping, Measurement and Testing Equipment” (Procurement ID No. EDI 2026/8/AK).