It is with great honor that we announce the commencement of the first Industrial PhD within the framework of the Doctoral Studies Programme entitled: “Industrial PhD in Computer and Telecommunications sciences.”

The doctoral dissertation is being conducted by Ms. Maria Damanaki, on the topic: “Advanced Techniques for Multimodal and Cooperative Robotic Perception in Interconnected Ground and Aerial Unmanned Vehicles.”

Ms. Damanaki is carrying out her research in collaboration with Avisense (avisense.ai), an innovative spin-off company of the Industrial Systems Institute (ISI) of the Athena Research Center. The company specializes in optimizing environmental perception using low-cost sensors. The utilization of data from cameras, LiDAR sensors, Radar and satellite imagery aims to improve the precise position of vehicles, significantly reducing the error found in traditional GPS data, especially in urban environments. In addition, the company is developing collaborative driving technologies to enhance environmental perception by up to five times, making the research collaboration with the Programme particularly important for promoting innovative solutions in the field of autonomous and connected vehicles.

Dr. Aristidis Lalos, Senior Researcher (Grade B) at the Industrial Systems Institute / Athena Research Center, has been appointed as the supervising advisor.

This doctoral dissertation marks the beginning of a new era for the Program, strengthening the role of research activity through its direct connection to industry and the emerging technologies of the future.