CORTEX2 Open Call #1

Description

The Open Call #1 has two tracks of applications: Track 1: Co-development: to recruit tech Startups and SMEs to participate in the co-development of CORTEX2 with the goal to build value-added services based on the CORTEX² framework leveraging Startups and SMEs expertise on specific market segments. Track 2: Use-case: to invite European technology adopters (which can work together with technology developers/providers/integrators) to address and/or propose use cases for the deployment of the CORTEX2 framework and explore developed features in the co-development track 1. For accessing the funding, the third-party projects deployment needs to demonstrate and present proofs of their progress and achievements and the deliverables presented must be assessed positively in each of the 3 stages. Track 1 (each 3-month, total 9-month programme): Sprint 1 - the beneficiary must fine-tune their planning and technology usage with CORTEX2, design a detailed development plan aligned with the CORTEX2 objectives and perform their technical developments. Sprint 2 - projects will perform their integration to achieve what has been previously developed. Sprint 3 - the aim is to validate the co-development performed and foster the exploitation of project results. Track 2 (3 months x 5 months x 4 months, total 12-month programme) Phase 1: requirements – set up key requirements and roadmap for the development and deployment of the use – case within the selected domain. Phase 2- development/deployment - Projects will perform their development and deployment, based on the implementation plan developed in Phase 1. Phase 3- validation- the aim is to validate the use- case and foster the exploitation of project results. Within this phase, projects must focus on the validation, assessment. Coaching and monitoring: CORTEX2 will assign a coach and a monitor to the selected teams. The coach, an expert from our CORTEX2 team, will support, give feedback, motivate and evaluate our XR innovators. The monitor will act as administrative contact, who will liaise with the coach to ensure the successful implementation of the projects. Exploitation and comercialisation: CORTEX2 will provide projects with tailored support to maximise their exploitation and commercialisation potential, such as: CORTEX2 Rainbow multi-modal collaborative platform: administration, cloud hosting and open API Tailor expert support depending on the co-development theme of selected use cases Integration and validation support Dissemination of achievements Topics: Track 1 co-development topics to apply to:  1. User representation and user avatar customisation  2. Real-time object virtualiser  3. Collaborative hand object manipulation  4. IoT adaptability of the CORTEX2 framework  5. Dynamic library of personalised gestures  6. 3D objects library  7. Automatic notetaking in virtual videoconference  8. Connect your app service to XR engine  9. Authoring tool for XR environment  10. Maintaining interface engagement and usability for the CORTEX2 framework  + OPEN TOPIC: Submit your own project idea.  Track 2 use-case domains to apply to  1. Education  2. Business  3. Industry  4. Healthcare  5. Emergency and crisis  6. Entertainment and culture  7. Smart cities  8. Accessibility and social inclusion  + OPEN DOMAIN: Submit your own use-case 

Beneficiary & submission

Submission: For track 1: https://www.f6s.com/cortex2 open call 1 track 1 co development/apply For track 2: https://www.f6s.com/cortex2-open-call-1-track-2-use-case/apply Evaluation: Eligible proposals will be evaluated remotely by indindependent expert evaluators in the first phase. The followwing evaluing evaluaation criteria apply: -Technical excellence -Ambition and impact -Team skills and expertise -Project planning and value for money The shortlisted applications will be invited for an online interview with the CORTEX2 experts.

Further information

Eligible beneficiaries: These entities are eligible under the following conditions: An organization based in the EU or any Horizon Europe associated member state. A SME following the EU definition by the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC and in the SME user guide Secondary and higher education establishments, research institutes and other not-for-profit research entities like Foundations, Universities, Associations, NGOs, etc. CORTEX2 will fund third-party projects that may be from: a single entity (MUST be a Tech SME/Startup) or a team of 2 entities (both MUST be a Tech SME/Startup) (applicable for Track 1: co-development) a single entity (MUST be an end-user) or a consortium of a maximum of two entities (tech adopter and tech developer/provider/integrator) (applicable for Track 2: use-case) Special focus: The project wants to engage representatives in the ‘Lab-To-Market’ stage to support the Technology Transfer towards the ‘Industrial Ecosystem’, bridging the Open Innovation gap. Special focus but not limited to is on: Research-oriented institutions: technical universities, RTOs, spin-offs Business-driven organisations: from highly risk-taking Startups to innovation units in established industry players (SMEs). Further information: More info at: https://cortex2.eu/open-calls/open-call-1 For extraordinal communication need, please contact the Help Desk:opencall@cortex2.eu