Professor Heidi Kuusniemi: Society would come to a standstill without positioning technologies
What are your main research interests?
I study reliable positioning and timing systems that are based on wireless technologies. This includes satellite positioning, such as the GPS and Galileo systems, as well as the use of small satellites and nanosatellites for positioning purposes, indoor positioning, inertial positioning for motion sensing, and the integration of all these systems.
A special research interest of mine is the reliability and interference resilience of positioning and timing: how we can ensure that location and timing data remain accurate even when signals are disrupted, or when operating in Arctic conditions, dense urban environments or within critical infrastructure.
We develop solutions that combine satellite systems, terrestrial radio signals, sensors and intelligent algorithms, with the aim of achieving increasingly precise and, above all, reliable situational awareness based on geospatial data. Positioning is not merely a dot on a map within a specific reference system, but a key element of our digital society, enabling autonomous systems, safety-critical solutions and progress towards sustainable development.
What makes your research significant?
Location and timing are the fundamental building blocks of a digital society. Almost all modern systems – including traffic, logistics, financial systems, power grids, mobile networks and defence – rely on precise positioning and timing. Whenever we discuss autonomous vehicles, smart energy networks or crisis management, we are also talking about reliable location data. If location or timing data is incorrect or has been deliberately manipulated, the consequences can be severe.
The aim of my research is to develop resilient systems that can withstand interference, cyber threats and exceptional conditions. At the same time, we are creating new solutions that utilise small satellites and nanosatellites, which opens up new opportunities for Finland and Europe to strengthen their technological autonomy. Positioning is part of the invisible infrastructure, but without it, our society would come to a standstill.
Where do you draw inspiration for your work as a professor?
I am inspired by new discoveries – that flash of insight when, for example, a complex research problem suddenly starts to make sense. That moment is still just as exciting as it was when I first embarked on a research career.
As a professor, I find collaboration especially meaningful. Research is a process of discussion, co-development and dialogue with students, colleagues and external partners. It is a privilege to supervise early-career researchers and witness their growth into experts. I am also constantly learning from them myself.
A university is a place where curiosity, critical thinking and creativity come together. For me, research is about continuous learning, inquiry, exploration and making sense of what we discover.
What would you want to study next and why?
I would like to delve even deeper into the opportunities that small satellites and nanosatellites offer for positioning. The traditional global satellite navigation systems have transformed the world, but the next major leap will come from small satellites orbiting the Earth at lower altitudes, as they enable new types of solutions for location data and situational awareness.
Another fascinating area of inquiry would be quantum sensors. They hold promise for unprecedented precision in measuring both movement and time, and they could eventually complement, or even partly replace, the conventional solutions that are based on satellite and radio signals. A combination of these technologies could pave the way for more reliable and secure situational awareness in Arctic regions, urban environments and critical applications.
What do you do in your free time?
I spend most of my free time with my daughter and our pets – two cats and a dog. As a counterbalance to work, it is important to occasionally do something completely different from research. I also enjoy spending time in nature and playing music when I have time.
Lately, much of my free time has been devoted to training our Golden Retriever puppy. Being with a puppy teaches patience, consistency and the ability to find joy in small steps of progress. Maintaining a balance between professional and personal life is important, and the best ideas often come to me while running or walking in the woods.
Welcome to attend inaugural lectures delivered by our new professors on 11 May 2026
Heidi Kuusniemi
- Doctor of Science (Technology), Tampere University of Technology, 2005.
- GPS Software Engineer, Fastrax Oy, 2005–2009.
- Specialist Research Scientist, Finnish Geodetic Institute (now the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2009–2010.
- Research Manager, Finnish Geodetic Institute (now the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2010–2012.
- Adjunct Professor of Satellite Positioning and Navigation Technologies, Aalto University, 2013.
- Adjunct Professor of Positioning Technology and Systems, Tampere University of Technology, 2015.
- Professor and Head of Department, Finnish Geodetic Institute (now the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2013–2015.
- Professor and Head of Department, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, National Land Survey of Finland, 2015–2018.
- Part-time Research Professor, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, National Land Survey of Finland, 2018–2025.
- Professor of Computer Science, University of Vaasa, 2019–2025.
- Adjunct Professor of Positioning Technologies and Systems, University of Vaasa, 2025.
- Appointed as Professor of Wireless Systems at Tampere University in August 2025. The professorship is shared with the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute of the National Land Survey.
- Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters since 2025 and of the Finnish Academy of Technical Sciences since 2023.
