New AI initiative aims to enhance industrial robots' adaptability

by Robert Schreiber Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 19, 2024 As industries continue to evolve, robots must increasingly adapt to unexpected changes and collaborate with humans. Addressing this challenge, a new international project, funded by Horizon Europe with EUR 7.5 million, aims to expand robotic capabilities under the RoboSapiens initiative.

This project seeks to overcome current robotic limitations, enhancing adaptability and reliability.

"Robots that adjust to their environments, learn from interactions, and alter their actions to better perform their tasks while ensuring safety and robustness is a major advantage," explains Professor Peter Gorm Larsen of Aarhus University, the project leader.

Key Goals of the Project:

+ The initiative will enable robots to autonomously adjust to new and unforeseen environmental and structural changes.

+ It aims to advance safety software for robots, ensuring high safety standards during all phases of adaptation.

+ Deep learning techniques will be employed to minimize uncertainties related to robotic adaptation.

+ The project aims to maintain system reliability, allowing robots to autonomously adjust to external conditions through advanced deep learning and computational strategies.

The project explores various applications, including autonomous ship navigation, collaborative human-robot interactions, intra-warehouse robot navigation, and automation in laptop refurbishment-focusing on enhancing product life cycles through automated processes like screen repairs.

"We aim for continuous improvement in robot functionality without needing recertification, thus enhancing their autonomy and appropriate adaptability," adds Larsen.

This extensive project, running from 2024 to 2027, involves partners like the Danish Technological Institute, University of Antwerp, and several other academic and industrial bodies.