Interdisciplinary institute for BroadBand Technology

Contract R&D for the industry

During the past fifteen years EDM has been performing R&D in computer graphics, multimedia technology and human-computer interaction. Over these years, EDM has built an extensive knowledge base in the aforementioned domains. The research has been performed with great care for the scientific quality, but also with an eye for future application in industry or society. This approach allows EDM to have a better understanding the research needs of companies and SME's. It also facilitates setting up joint R&D projects and performing specific contract research projects with companies.


Subjects of research projects

Through achieving the full research spectre in its three competence ares, subjects of R&D projects are to be found in all three areas:

  • Multimedia & Communication Technology: (networked) multimedia information platforms, services and systems (management, planning, training, ...), multimedia learning environments, advanced interactive multimedia systems and applications
  • Human-Computer Interaction: location based interactive systems, context-sensitive interactive systems, application platforms for mobile and embedded systems, advanced virtual environments, interaction with mobile systems and ubiquitous environments
  • Computer Graphics: advanced visualization of objects, simulations using high end graphics, image synthesis and analysis.


Collaboration formulas

Companies and SMEs can set up R&D projects with EDM through several project formulas, distinguishing between government subsidized and full cost formulas.

The following organisations promote innvovation in industry and therefore subsidize research projects of companies and SMEs :

  • IWT, the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders. Being part of Hasselt University, EDM is a recognized knowledge centre for IWT. IWT is an institute of the Flemish Government that supports and stimulates research of the Flemish industry. Companies, large or small, can obtain financial support for several types of research or study projects.
  • IBBT, the Interdisciplinary institute for BroadBand Technology. EDM is an initial partner in IBBT. IBBT stimulates research in the Flemish ICT companies through partly subsidized generic research projects with companies.
  • EU, the European Union. For more than ten years, EDM participates in the European Framework Programmes, that partly fund joint innovative research projects from the industry and the academic world. The EU also sets up the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which facilitates and subsidizes R&D projects of companies with research centres like EDM.
Aside from these formulas, company-specific research can always be set up on a bilateral basis (at full cost).