Projects

The project "Testing of the Applicability of an AI-based Optimization Model for Production Processes using a Digital Twin of the Factory" focuses on creating digital models of the factory and using AI to identify and mitigate bottlenecks in production processes. By using Siemens Plant Simualtion software, the project simulates the factory's actual process times to create a digital twin, enabling production optimization without disrupting real manufacturing. The project utilizes an AI optimization model based on machine learning and data analysis to improve production throughput and resource efficiency.

The project aims to explore the adoption of open-source platforms for monitoring production lines and to develop a solution for monitoring Balsnack waffle production line. The objective is to extend the solution to other production lines after successful validation. The project created an integrated production monitoring solution that combines machine vision-based quality control with inputs from sensors. Machine vision facilitates visual quality control and product identification. Product identification will automatically provide the system with preset values that will be compared with inputs from sensors.

The purpose of this project is to address the problems related to expert workforce in the field of diagnosis, monitoring, and maintenance of the power systems and related components in the partner countries by bringing innovation in higher education teaching and learning methods in order to fill the expertise gap and enhance its relevance for the labour market and the society as a whole. The project will help Nepal and Bhutan to produce in-house human resources in the field of condition monitoring of power equipment making both the countries independent of external consultants. The main objective of the project is to implement real problem based teaching and learning methods in the curriculum of HEIs of the partner countries. This is possible thanks to the expertise and know how of the EU partner Universities and their long term teaching in this field. The project will also help the EU partners to renew their education in this field and build a sustainable flow of students in both directions

The project provides a comprehensive assessment of Estonia’s wood resources and the technological pathways for their high-value valorisation. It supports national goals to expand the bio-based economy and advance climate-neutral development. The project evaluates the availability of wood suitable for mechanical, microbiological, and chemical processing up to 2050, analyses relevant TRL 6–9 technologies, and identifies development directions that fit Estonia’s resource base, workforce capacity, and strategic priorities. The study maps domestic and potentially importable wood resources, considering species, assortments, environmental restrictions, and an annual harvesting volume of 10 million m³. It assesses resource availability across different forest owner groups, including the State Forest Management Centre (RMK), private forest owners, and industry-related large owners. It provides a concise overview of chemical and microbiological wood valorisation technologies and related product groups across technology generations. The analysis evaluates suitable fractionation and end-product manufacturing technologies for Estonia, taking into account resource scale, supply chain feasibility, human capital, investment needs, and climate policy obligations, including CO₂ sequestration and LULUCF methodology. It also examines additional resource requirements—such as other bio-based feedstocks, water and energy demand, and infrastructure needs—arising from the selected technological pathways. The project reviews current and future demand for engineering, chemical, and wood chemistry experts, drawing on OSKA analyses, and assesses laboratory and R&D infrastructure needs in connection with the establishment of the Wood Valorisation Focus Centre and Metrosert’s Bio-refinery Development Centre. The results provide an integrated overview of Estonia’s strategic options for wood valorisation and offer recommendations for building a competitive, high-value wood-based value chain that strengthens the national bioeconomy and supports long-term climate objectives.

The aim of the project is to assess the fish compatibility of the newly developed pump and to compare the damage rates of the fish during passage to an existing pump in the Kudensee pumping station.

The RAC project, short for “Testing and validating a Robot Activity Coordinator to enhance the well-being of the elderly at care homes,” was to explore the potential use of a robot assistant in the daily operations of a care home. To achieve this, an application suitable needed to be adapted to enable the TEMI robot-assistant to move efficiently within the for Pihlakodu care home environment, communicate with residents, staff, and guests, and share information. During the project, usage scenarios for the robot as an activity coordinator were first tested through collaboration between Pihlakodu and TalTech IT College. Following this, the necessary application (RAC) was adapted to enable the robot to support activity coordinators in their work. A key focus of this demo project was the thorough testing and validation of the application and the robot in the day-to-day care work process at the Viimsi and Tabasalu care homes: the robots, named Pipi and Olle, moved around the care home sharing important information and daily news with residents, supported social interaction – especially for residents with limited mobility – through humour and games, and assisted guests with finding their way inside the facility. By using the robot in the role of activity coordinator, the project tested the potential of robotics and AI to address staff shortages in care homes – particularly in the care of elderly residents who, for various reasons, cannot participate in group activities and require a more personalized approach. It is important to emphasize that the goal of the robot as activity coordinator was not to replace the role of the human, but to help and enhance work processes. The primary objective of the RAC project is to elevate the quality of life for bedridden elderly residents in care homes. By introducing an AI enhanced robot application as an Activity Coordinator, the project aims to alleviate some of the workload of human care staff while enhancing the overall well-being and satisfaction of both the residents and staff. The success of the RAC demo project could prove to be a shift in implementing emerging technologies such as AI and robotics in elderly care, generating interest from other institutions in the healthcare and elderly care sectors, both in Estonia and abroad, where seeking solutions to improve healthcare and care services in the reality of ageing society.

Project objective: Develop a solution for automatic processing of medical texts, identification and structuring of clinical terms using SNOMED CT codes and FHIR standard. Work plan: 1. Clinical term identification - Preprocessing of Estonian medical texts - Application of machine learning/language models for term identification from text - Structuring of identified terms for further processing 2. Standardization and coding - Linking identified terms with SNOMED CT codes - Semantic matching of data with standardized ontologies - Converting results to FHIR format Demo solution and expected outputs: - Practical demonstration solution for complete workflow - Working system for automatic identification of clinical terms from Estonian texts - Structured output of terms linked with SNOMED CT codes - Standard data presentation in FHIR format for further use Keywords: medical texts, SNOMED CT, FHIR, language processing, clinical terms, automatic annotation, structured data

"Background: Teledermoscopy has shown high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 90.48% and specificity 92.57%) for early detection of skin cancer in Estonia. However, not all its potential for early detection has been utilized, contributing to high melanoma mortality rates. Objective: This project aims to assess the impact of an integrated approach to patient pathways initiated by teledermoscopy on melanoma management effectiveness, focusing on faster diagnosis confirmation and treatment. Methodology: The study will evaluate the smoothness and effectiveness of the patient pathway initiated by teledermoscopy, integrating improvements based on existing requirements and study findings. The primary outcome measure will be the speed of histologically confirmed diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Result-Hypothesis: It's hypothesized that the integrated pathway will lead to better melanoma patient outcomes compared to previous studies, ensuring timely diagnosis confirmation and treatment."

The aim of the project is to develop innovative gluten-free vegan confectionery with no added sugar, meeting the growing consumer demand for healthier sweets that support special dietary needs. The work includes developing suitable raw materials and recipes, optimizing texture and sensory properties, and evaluating product quality and stability.

The aim of the project was to identify the causes of the water accident in Kuressaare and the related drinking water pollution, and to propose solutions to prevent similar situations. The project activities included on-site observations, interviews with relevant parties, and simulation of the emergency situation using existing pressure and flow and water quality measurement data and hydraulic analyses performed using digital twins of water systems.

How to feed the world in the future in a sustainable way is the largest challenge for mankind. Understanding plant response mechanisms to stresses at the molecular level is essential for developing crops with better performance. Plants perceive pathogens and induce signaling events to activate immunity. However, the associated signaling pathways are still incomplete. I have recently identified SHEER (Stress induced Heme Receptor) in Arabidopsis as the first heme receptor in plant immune signaling. In humans, heme is a well-established signaling molecule to induce immunity. However, in plants so far there is no evidence of the function of free heme in immune signaling. My aim is to address the molecular regulation of SHEER, a completely new player in plant immunity. Furthermore, obtained knowledge will be transferred to economically important barley by CRISPR technology. We expect to provide potential molecular genetic targets for engineering crops with enhanced fitness in the future.

Experimental research for the development of asphalt mixtures with optimum lignin content.

MOVEx is a 3-year project, focused on organizing an effective Virtual Exchange Program as a platform for professional and intercultural interaction, exchange of experience, to ensure high-quality educational services