What is ManuVAR?

ManuVAR is a European 7th Framework project that runs from 2009 through 2012 and comprises 18 partner organisations across 8 countries. Through the use of virtual and augmented reality technology (VR / AR), the ManuVAR project will demonstrate that high value, high knowledge manual work presents an opportunity to improve the competitiveness of EU industries.

ManuVAR will apply this existing technology to improve communications between people and systems, therefore improving ergonomics, safety, work assistance and training in the manufacturing and service industries. The use of this technology will also enable the two-way flow of knowledge, its accumulation, reuse and sharing. This will be achieved throughout the entire product lifecycle and across subsequent system generations. ManuVAR will engage with various people from designers to factory workers, operators, maintenance personnel, and end-users.

Who is involved?

In total there are 18 partner organisations from 8 different European countries involved. For a full list of partners, with links to their respective web sites, click here.

Who is coordinating the project?

The project is coordinated by VTT - the Technical Research Centre of Finland which is based in Tampere. For visit the VTT web site (in English), click here.

How can I make contact?

The easiest way to get in touch is to use the Contact Us page of this web site. There you will find contact details for any media and press enquires, as well as contact details for any technical or academic enquiries.

There is also a contact form provided which will be redirected to the appropriate contact person depending on which area of interest you specify on the form.

What is the EU 7th Framework Programme (FP7)?

'Framework programmes' (FPs) have been the main financial tools through which the European Union supports research and development activities covering almost all scientific disciplines. FPs are proposed by the European Commission and adopted by Council and the European Parliament following a co-decision procedure (view the FP7 approval process).

FPs have been implemented since 1984 and cover a period of five years with the last year of one FP and the first year of the following FP overlapping. The current FP is FP6, which runs up to the end of 2006.

It has been proposed for FP7, however, to run for seven years. It will be fully operational as of 1 January 2007 and will expire in 2013. It is designed to build on the achievements of its predecessor towards the creation of the European Research Area, and carry it further towards the development of the knowledge economy and society in Europe.

What is the overall budget for FP7?

In the Commission's amended proposals for FP7, it was proposed that the maximum overall amount for Community financial participation in the EC Seventh Framework Programme should be EUR 50 521 million for the period 2007 - 2013. For nuclear research and training activities carried out under the Euratom treaty EUR 2751 million are foreseen for 2007-2011.

Visit the budget section to compare the amounts and breakdown proposed in the Commission's proposal of 2005, amended proposal in June 2006 and political agreement of the Council in July 2006.

How does the Framework Programme work?

In a series of interviews with some of the people working within FP6 and responsible for the development of FP7, CORDIS News examined how ideas for research are generated in the first place, how the framework programmes are adopted, how calls are timetabled, how proposals are assessed and how the European Commission decides who receives funding. Read more at:

Investigating Research - how the Framework Programme works part 1

Investigating Research - how the Framework Programme works part 2

Who decides which areas will be financed under FP7, and on what basis?

In the preparation of the present proposals, the Commission took into account the views expressed during a very broad consultation with other EU institutions, in particular the European Parliament, and the EU Member States, as well as by the scientific community, industry and all stakeholders in European research. The results of the stakeholder consultation can be seen in the "Statistical overview of results and report on the results of the consultation". This service includes a section that follows the policy debate towards FP7.

The proposals also rely on an in-depth Impact Assesment. This impact assessment was based upon inputs from stakeholders, internal and external evaluation and other studies, and contributions from recognised European evaluation and impact assessment experts.

Where can I learn more?

Further information on FP7 is availble on the European Commission CORDIS web site at http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that allows people to interact with a virtual, computer-generated, three-dimensional environment usually through a visual interface like a headset or even on a monitor screen.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that enables virtual elements (like three-dimensional computer-generated objects, graphics or data) to be superimposed on the user's view of the real world. AR effectively adds a virtual 'layer' of information onto a real world environment which allows for enhanced visualistations, explanations or demonstrations.