Augmented Reality and Cybersecurity (ARC)

Description of the project

The objective of the ARC project is to develop a set of flexible (i.e., online distance courses) and modular courses on "Augmented Reality for Industrial Systems" (ARIS) and “Industrial Cybersecurity” (ICS), from introduction to advanced levels.

The ARC project strives to develop a unique set of selected courses with the aim of strengthening Mälardalen University’s (MDU) educational offer for life-long learners. The courses target specifically sectors where industry is experiencing a skill shortage, and where the demand from industry is currently very high and while also being anticipated to grow exponential in time ahead.

Both areas have attracted a strong interest during the pandemic where the need for remote working and telepresence have highlighted the importance of safely working in distributed working environments. Consequently, the two areas of Augmented Reality and Cybersecurity and are linked when considering the need for secure AR applications in critical sectors of our society. as well as the potential adoption of AR, and more generally extended reality (XR), to teach how to analyse and respond to cyber-physical system threats.

The ARC project provides in-depth opportunities to discover our existing Festo Cyber-Physical Factory lab facilities, located at Mälardalen Industrial Technology Center (MITC), and also to enable remote lab access and virtual experimentation.

Goal of the project

The overarching goal of ARC is to provide competence development through razor sharp new courses initiated due to the pandemic and as a way to strategically mobilize people in areas that has not have their capacity explored.

The first AR course module is about “Design for Industrial Augmented Reality” will start by providing a more basic approach to the need, and application areas for modern use and usability of AR. Course participants will get a chance to test to also develop their own AR applications useful for their own specific needs.

The next course on the same theme is Augmented Reality integration in industry 4.0. This course will look deeper into the industrial applications of AR and gains and pains that can be made and avoided in an successful an adoption.

For all courses provided, in-depth knowledge and practical use are main drivers to prepare the participants to gain new knowledge valuable for their work roles. The cybersecurity course first out has manufacturing and transportation industries at focus. The course “Fundamentals of Industrial Cybersecurity” provides an overview and orientation that is particular relevant for managers at different levels. The subsequent more advanced course modules will be suitable also for more experienced users and even relevant for doctoral students in their PhD studies.

Common for all ARC courses is that they are given within two themes, either in relation to Augmented Reality or Cybersecurty. Since they are provided as distance courses with prerecorded sessions, this provided a great opportunity to take the course on occasions that really fit. With relatively low prerequisites for entry, ARC courses derives focus to a platform-based learning experience where interaction is mostly recognized as in the format of a MOOC.

Activities in the project

The project is partitioned into three partially overlapping sprints, each one lasting 12 months and starting respectively on September 2020, January 2021 and September 2021, with each sprint consisting of

1. Evaluation and improvement of courses from previous sprint;
2. Development of new courses, and
3. Offering of courses (both from this and previous sprints). Based on this, we have for each semester a mix of;
   (a) courses under development
   (b) courses developed and being taught, and
   (c) courses being improved.

If you are interested to know more and/or feel interested signing up for the any of the course offerings feel free to get in contact.