The “European Virtual Institute for Human Machine Interaction and Models in Production” – VIMation integrates research institutes, universities and industrial companies to compete successfully in world-class research.

The virtual institute is based on four pillars, the so-called VirtuEs (Virtual Encounters). These are:
 

• The VirtuE for "Interaction and Software Engineering" VISE led by Dr. Thomas Schlegel, Universitaet Stuttgart, stands for integration of both disciplines targeting user-friendly production and industrial applications.
• The VirtuE for "Knowledge and Competence Management" VKCM led by Professor Bernard Grabot, Ecole Nationale D´Ingénieurs de Tarbes,has as its main objective a better integration of human resource characteristics in manufacturing processes.
• The VirtuE for "Orgnisation Models and Systems" VOMS led by Professor Vinesh Raja, University of Warwick, seeks to develop and implement techniques to extract information, knowledge and wisdom from raw data to make informed decisions.
• The VirtuE for "Virtual Manufacturing" VVM led by Timo Määttä, VTT Research Centre of Finland, is based on high-level usage of ICT in Product Processes including simulation-based design and also the implementation of Enterprise Networks and Collaborative Design approaches to develop competitiveness of manufacturing in Europe.

Besides the VirtuEs, which consist of universities and organisations of applied research, VIMation comprises also an Industrial Forum. Here Companies can communicate their interests and requirements and researchers are enabled to contact them. This supports intensive exchange and collaboration between universities, applied research and industry. Joint projects can be started to the benefit of both sides.