Scale Down

Scale Down is a joint project between Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and Aalto University, implemented between 2025 and 2027. It aims to develop robotics solutions for urban environments to address the challenges of mobility, environment, and climate change in cities.

A key focus of the project is on fleet operations—swarm robotics and networked perception—where autonomous mobile robots can share sensory data and collaborate effectively.

Responding to a concrete need

The development of autonomous robotic solutions is rapidly becoming a key element in the renewal of Finnish industry, cities, and society. However, sustainable long-term progress requires permanent development environments where companies, universities, and research organizations can safely and cost-effectively test and advance new technologies.

Currently, Finland lacks sufficient test areas suitable for experimenting with autonomous systems, which limits innovation and commercialization opportunities. A scalable test environment offers a solution by accelerating market entry, enhancing competitiveness, and addressing the industry 4.0 skills gap.

Cities and municipalities, in turn, need safe and reliable platforms for testing autonomous solutions before their integration into infrastructure. Moreover, the project supports the broader goal of strengthening collaboration between educational and research institutions and the private sector.

Actions: Building a concrete test environment

Scale Down will design and pilot a modular Sandbox test environment for developing and testing autonomous systems and mobile robotics. The environment will be safe, equipped with high-quality precision instruments, and suitable for scientific research.

It will provide a physical testbed where companies and research organizations can test autonomous robotic systems and their performance in various urban scenarios. In addition, digital tools and elements will be developed to complement and enhance the physical testing environment. The pilots will be supported by Metropolia’s Robo Garage and AIoT collaboration platforms.

Project objectives

The project aims to strengthen robotic SMEs’ competitiveness and RDI (research, development, and innovation) capacity by providing access to advanced development platforms and research infrastructures. The Sandbox will serve as an innovation ecosystem where companies, research institutes, and cities can jointly develop and test new technologies - promoting collaboration, co-creation, and knowledge exchange across sectors.

The project’s impact extends beyond technological development to broader societal goals. The Sandbox will accelerate the market entry of new autonomous solutions, promote sustainable urban development, and reinforce the Uusimaa region’s position as an internationally attractive research and development environment.

The project will support the growth of Finland’s robotics industry, improve companies’ investment capabilities, and increase the domestic value of emerging technologies.

Scale Down lays the foundation for long-term innovation and research, fostering new solutions, knowledge, and networks that strengthen Finland’s position as a frontrunner in robotics and autonomous technologies.

Follow the project’s progress and events

This webpage serves as Metropolia University of Applied Sciences’ project catalogue entry. The main communication channel will be the upcoming website www.scaledown.fi, where current news and events will be published.

You can also follow project updates on our LinkedIn showcase page, where we share news, articles, and participant experiences. Information is also available on the parallel project partner’s website (Scale Down at Aalto University's website).

• Duration: 1 September 2025 – 31 December 2027
• Funding: Metropolia: EU- and state funding: €908,813
• Partners: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Coordinator) & Aalto University
• Project network: City of Helsinki and the VAMOS network
• Parallel projects: Urban Mobile Robotics

Contact

Minna Väkevä
Innovation Director
minna.vakeva [at] metropolia.fi (minna[dot]vakeva[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
+358445445694