CLARITY launched in April 2008 as part of the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) programme. The programme director is Professor Barry Smyth, UCD School of Computer Science and Informatics, who says "Sensors help us to
learn more about ourselves and the world in which we live".
CLARITY commenced with total funding of €16.4 million – €11.8 million of which is from the Science Foundation Ireland CSET programme. CLARITY is based on a far-reaching academic- industry partnership consisting of academic and industry partners/collaborators, as well as national agencies and social partners. This partnership composition reflects the multi- disciplinary nature of the CLARITY vision and draws together scientists from many disparate areas (e.g. computer science, materials science, device engineering, physiotherapy and sports science) and key industry partners covering a range of important market sectors (including, information technology, telecommunications, digital media, medical devices).
The research investigates the integration of sensor data from the physical world with sophisticated information processing and artificial intelligence techniques from computer science. The CLARITY research programme seeks to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the emerging sensor web, a variety of technologies that allow us to sense our world, both physical and online, and to build meaningful and useful applications with the sensed data.
By graduating 45 PhD students, the Centre will provide Irish-based companies with access to highly skilled individuals who will play a key role in generating new products and innovations in industry.
CLARITY is a partnership between UCD, DCU and Tyndall National Institute, Cork. Current industry partners include: Disney Research, Alcatel Lucent (Bell Labs), Episensor, Heystaks, Critical Path and Amdocs. National agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute and the National Museum of Ireland also support the centre. "The team we have brought together in CLARITY provides a unique combination of multi-disciplinary expertise that is essential to make significant progress in this new field", says Professor Smyth.
Featured Academic:
