As the roll-out of 5G gains momentum, and 6G hovers just around the corner, the true significance of these new network technologies is still unclear. Together with Artificial Intelligence (AI) they are predicted to change the way we live and work, but what will that look like in detail? That is the question driving the latest research group of the University of Luxembourg’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust’s (SnT) — Ubiquitous Intelligent Systems, or UBIX.
Led by SnT’s own Prof. Raphael Frank, the UBIX research group will take an interdisciplinary approach to investigate cutting-edge networked technology, including autonomous navigation, IoT, edge computing, digital twins, and smart cities. Essentially, the team’s day-to-day will be to lay the groundwork for the fictional future we were all promised in classic pop-culture like the Jetsons.
The group starts off with a strong foundation in that theme, being formed by the team working on the 360Lab, SnT’s autonomous vehicle. This car was demonstrated in live traffic on Kirchberg in the fall of last year (2022), which was the first time a single-family autonomous car joined the flow of traffic in Luxembourg. A highlight of Prof. Frank’s career, being the culmination of five years of research work by him and the team.
“Self-driving cars are a promise of the future, but in order to make them a reality today we need to refine the systems that support the car from the exterior,” says Prof. Frank. “With UBIX we will be going beyond mobility though, looking at many different types of systems that are interconnected. We are on the cusp of another significant leap in innovation, and ensuring technological evolution stays in sync with the real-world is crucial as we move forward.”
With both industry experience and an entrepreneurial portfolio, Prof. Frank is looking to build a team that is proactive and open. As a native Luxembourger he began his academic career at home but followed those initial studies with a Masters in France and as a visiting researcher at UCLA in the United States. Returning home, Prof. Frank completed his PhD and explored a variety of career options, most notably as a founding member of SnT’s and the University of Luxembourg’s first Spin-Off, Motion-S.
“Entrepreneurialism and academia are very often seen as direct opposites, but I like to challenge that vision. Both provide a freedom to explore new ideas and thrive when a variety of skills sets come together to realize a vision,” he said. “That is what I intend to do with UBIX, by building interdisciplinarity into the fabric of the group from the beginning.”
UBIX is not starting from scratch though, as it is being created from the seven person 360Lab team which was hosted within the SEDAN research group, led by Prof. Radu State. “Prof. Frank was an extremely valuable member of my team, with a clear vision for the future and a drive to deliver research with an impact. I am pleased that his team is taking this next step, and look forward to working with him in the management committee,” said Prof. State.
As a Luxembourgish head of an SnT research group, Prof. Frank will be bringing a uniquely local perspective to the work.
“SnT delivers cutting-edge technology innovation and a highly skilled talent pool for local industry, supporting the growth and development of the country, which is very meaningful for me as a Luxembourger,” said Prof. Frank. “I see myself as a bridge between the ICT research world and the rest of country.”