Second Utrecht University AI lab joins ICAI network
After the success of the National Police Lab AI, now the second Utrecht University AI lab joins ICAI: AI & Mobility Lab. Utrecht computer science researchers launched this second AI Lab in January 2021. The new lab focuses on the themes of mobility, transport and logistics. The researchers work with partner organisations NS, ProRail and Qbuzz, to link, strengthen and further expand research into mobility issues.
Transport organisations, distributors and public organisations encounter major challenges, to which AI research can contribute. Public transportation, shared mobility, road traffic, logistics and human movement behaviour raise issues about safety, robustness, accessibility, travel time, health and such. In the AI & Mobility Lab, Utrecht computer science researchers will collaborate with various organisations to develop innovative AI techniques for challenges in mobility and public transportation.
Important role for AI research
Mobility is in full swing. Cities are especially getting busier, and because of increasing concern for sustainability, alternatives for privately-owned petrol or diesel cars are becoming more and more important. Commuters will increasingly use combinations of different forms of mobility and public transportation. Public transportation is becoming more electrified and is expected to play a crucial role in future transport.
Artificial intelligence will make a strong contribution to these developments. There are important challenges in managing and controlling vehicle and passenger flows, infrastructure planning, and the development of new tools and platforms for matching supply and demand such as MaaS (Mobility as a Service). Researchers in the AI & Mobility Lab will work on data-driven techniques, operations research, algorithms, human-centered AI and agent-based simulation.
Marjan van den Akker, coordinator of the AI & Mobility Lab: “The challenges of our stakeholders are complex and require a state-of-the-art approach. Where needed, we collaborate with researchers from different disciplines. By developing knowledge and techniques together, we strive to make a strong societal impact.”
Education
In addition to research, the AI Labs of Utrecht University also play an important role in education for professionals, and programmes where students work together with professionals.