iiLab

Biomedical Engineering Research

The impact that science and innovation can have on the prevention, early detection, and support for the diagnosis of various types of diseases is fully explored at our Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research (C-BER). Guided by an interdisciplinary approach that prioritises technology transfer with economic impact—through the creation of new systems, tools, and methods related to disease diagnosis and monitoring, ageing, human rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and functional assessment—our researchers are dedicated to developing advanced technologies positioned at the intersection of engineering, medicine and health, and general well-being. Promoting strategic partnerships with clinical partners, research institutes, and encouraging international cooperation is one of the centre’s key priorities. Its research is structured across three distinct areas: Biomedical Imaging, Bioinstrumentation, and Neuroengineering.

Industrial & Systems Engineering and Management

Telecommunications and Multimedia

The Centre for Telecommunications and Multimedia (CTM) welcomes close to 200 members, including at least 100 integrated researchers who carry out scientific work in the fields of communications, Artificial Intelligence, and computer science and engineering. The Centre’s activities cover several Research and Development (R&D) domains: Communications and Electronics Radio Frequency Technologies Optoelectronics Microelectronics Wireless Communication Networks Computer Perception Computer Vision applied to Medical Imaging Computer Vision applied to Digital Media Computer Audio applied to Music With multidisciplinary teams that include dozens of PhDs, CTM is strongly committed to both European and national research projects, as well as consultancy projects with industry.

Robotics in Industry and Intelligent Systems

At the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, we develop innovative solutions to leverage robotics in the industrial, agricultural, and forestry contexts, driving the digital transformation of the industry. We take a practical approach - from design to deployment - to test the navigation and localisation of mobile robots, explore advances in 2D/3D industrial vision and advanced detection, while also focusing on industrial and collaborative robotics, as well as human-robot interfaces. Our TRIBE LAB is fertile ground for innovative ideas about the agriculture of the future; we develop prototypes and promote excellence in agricultural robotics and IoT technology: with prototypes, advanced sensors (LiDAR, AI cameras), and rapid prototyping tools, we accelerate the development of solutions for the agroforestry sector. We are also present at the iiLab, where we combine applied research, technological demonstration, and controlled environment testing, promoting the integration of emerging technologies into industry. From intelligent robotic cells and cyber-physical systems to data analysis and AI, it is an innovation space where companies can experiment with and validate solutions for the factory of the future. With a multidisciplinary team, and following European agendas, our research work combines fundamental science and application, impacting the design of solutions for Industry 4.0, fostering competitiveness and the digital transformation of the sector.

Human-Centered Computing and Information Science

The Centre for Human-Centered Computing and Information Science (HumanISE) brings together engineers, scientists, and designers with expertise in Human-Centred Computing (HCC), Computer Science (CS), and Information Science (IS). Interdisciplinarity, one of the Centre’s defining features, fosters the development of software systems, methods, and tools designed to empower individuals and their communities. The excellence and impact of HumanISE’s research, innovation, and consultancy activities allow addressing increasingly complex, volatile, heterogeneous, ambiguous, and uncertain challenges, while ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and organisational standards and frameworks. Value transfer is achieved through close collaboration with academia and industry partners. HumanISE’s core research areas include Human-Computer Interaction; Computer Graphics and Interactive Digital Media; Information Management and Information Systems; Software Engineering; and Large-Scale and Special-Purpose Computing Systems, Languages, and Tools; as well as Computing for Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems. HumanISE also explores innovation domains like Earth, Ocean and Space Sciences; Personalised Health Research; Geospatial Information Systems Engineering; and Applied Information Systems and Computing.

Power and Energy Systems

The Centre for Power and Energy Systems (CPES) is a global reference in the large-scale integration of renewable-based electricity generation into the power system.We research and develop advanced solutions that enable the monitoring, control, optimisation, and forecasting of electricity production and consumption, as well as multi-energy systems. Our work supports the decarbonisation of the energy system, the electrification of society, and the large-scale integration of renewables, making power grids more flexible, intelligent, and resilient.Our research results include models, methodologies, hardware, and software (much of it open source) designed for various energy sector stakeholders, including citizens, communities, service providers, system operators, regulators, policy-makers, and governmental bodies.We operate a Smart Grids and Electric Vehicles Laboratory – the X-Energy Lab (link) – where we validate technological advancements in real-world conditions, ensuring that our solutions have a tangible impact on the energy sector.Thanks to our expertise, we hold a prominent role in both national and international projects supporting the energy transition, while also providing direct services to key players in the electricity sector.