Digitalization and autonomous systems generate new and effective solutions, but also new challenges and problem areas. At CIRiS, we strive to advance our knowledge along new directions to solve both engineering and social challenges that emerge in the context of increasingly complex societies.
Operations in an autonomous future
Can smart systems replace humans in future cars, ships or airplanes? Can smarter systems replace teachers in future classrooms? Is space exploration better accomplished with robots or humans? Are nuclear plants safer without humans in the control room? Who, when, where and why do we decide what responsibility and decisions we trust a smart system with?
If you have thoughts about these kinds of challenges, you would enjoy a chat with operations researchers and engineers at CIRiS. We use our analytical and creative skills to develop better systems, procedures and practices. Operations at CIRiS are about making people and processes safer, more resilient, more efficient and effective.
Building on a decade of experience with payload integration and control room operations, working with European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA in the International Space Station (ISS) program, we transfer our knowledge base from this multidisciplinary world into new fields – where technology is developed, implemented, maintained and operated.
Using methods from systems – concurrent and human factors engineering, project- and quality management and organizational analysis, we can help you design organizations, system and operational environments to optimize decision-making, resilience and sustainability.
Towards optimal decision-making through operations research
Operations research is a well-established discipline that at its core is about multidisciplinary approaches to the science of optimal decision-making. In an age of digitalization and autonomous systems, we focus on processes for decision-analysis and decision-making related to new technology development – including design, analysis, organization, implementation and operational management.
We strive to advance our knowledge along new directions to solve engineering challenges that emerge in the context of increasingly complex socio-technical systems. This includes activities ranging from basic science and engineering research, the development of new methodologies and practical applications of major significance in large industries.
Our underlying research methodologies are qualitative and explorative, as well as quantitative with mathematical and statistically-rooted frameworks, with an emphasis on the practical application of new knowledge in design and management processes – e.g. to model and solve “system of systems” level engineering problems. The research activities build on a collaborative philosophy with a capable and professional network enabling capabilities for coordinating large, longitudinal and multidisciplinary projects.
Relevant applications include complex challenges, critical needs and emerging applications for a more resilient and sustainable society. Ongoing research activities include biological and bio-regenerative system analysis, human-machine interfaces in ship-bridge design, planning and coordination of autonomous systems operations and the definition and development of next generation control rooms.
Selected projects
Contact
Knut Robert Fossum
Senior Researcher and Research Manager, PhD