An international consortium launched RoboSAPIENS in January 2024. Whereas conventional robots often only carry out defined motions, systems with RoboSAPIENS technology will be able to respond dynamically, be that to a changed manufacturing environment, a process disruption or direct contact with humans.

The centerpiece of the project is an intelligent control architecture that operates with artificial intelligence methods and virtual models. This makes it possible to test modifications on a digital twin before they are implemented in a real factory.

One particular priority is safety: Modifications will not only be efficient but also transparent and trustworthy at all times. This will establish reliability, making the technology interesting for complex and/or critical uses too.

Fraunhofer IFF as Applied Research Partner

Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg is playing a key role in the project. It will be testing designs and technologies in applied scenarios. The focus is on human-robot collaboration in flexible manufacturing environments, that is, exactly where adaptability and reliability are particularly important.

Fraunhofer IFF research scientists have now presented the first promising findings. They demonstrate that robots are able to change their strategies dynamically during running processes, for instance, whenever disruptions or sudden changes in the environment affect risks. Digital twins help test such modifications virtually beforehand, an adaptive risk assessment minimizing risks to real-world operation. The main focus is the robot’s response to approaching humans, for instance, by continuously adjusting robot speed to be safe during its operation.

Specifically, a combination of ISO/TS 15066 power and force limiting and speed and separation monitoring safety modes is being implemented. This approach combines the best of both worlds: The robot moves quickly and efficiently when its work zone is free of people. Whenever a human approaches, it adjusts its speed to the specific body part, always remaining at the acceptable maximum, though. This produces genuine, productive human-robot collaboration freed from inefficiency.

On the way to industrial use

These findings indicate that the RoboSAPIENS vision of efficient as well as trustworthy and adaptable robots can become reality., Collaboration with industry partners on testing and further validating the solutions developed in real-world manufacturing environments will be increased in the project in the coming months. The objective is to provide a demonstrably reliable architecture ready for use, which can be used widely in European factories.

About RoboSAPIENS

RoboSAPIENS is a thirty-six-month EU research project supported by a consortium of universities, technology centers and industry partners. Aarhus University is coordinating the project on which Fraunhofer IFF, the University of York, the University of Antwerp, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Danish Technological Institute, PAL Robotics and other partners are collaborating.