Research and Innovation Center AI-Based Robotics

AI-based robotics plays a key role in overcoming societal challenges. Innovative automation solutions can address the critically worsening shortage of skilled workers, the increasing need for alleviating physical demands for older people, and cost pressures. AI enables existing robot applications to be made more efficient and flexible or applications to be implemented that were previously not technically or economically viable.

To this end, the Research and Innovation Center AI-based robotics is pursuing the vision of developing and enabling robotic systems for industrial value creation systems that reach or exceed human capability in relation to flexibility, speed, and quality. This increases productivity, reduces the need for specialist knowledge by “automating the automation,” and ensures less waste and more efficient (intra-) logistics.

Key topics:

• Robotic Hands: AI-based software enables robotic hands to autonomously grip, rotate, and place components in a specific location. This considerably reduces the effort required for programming and configuration. This solution assists manufacturing and logistics companies in automating processes efficiently, even if they only have a small number of pieces and a great variety of components.
• Intelligent Mobile Manipulation: The combination of handling functions with mobile and humanoid robots expands the operational reach of an automation solution. The associated AI-based software focuses on significantly reducing the effort involved in programming and setup, e.g., by learning from demonstration, imitation, or voice input. By doing so, mobile manipulators can be used more flexibly.
• Engineering: Fraunhofer IAO focuses on model-based development and IT support for more efficient robotic systems.