Optimising human-machine interactions

Robot manufacturer FANUC is currently focusing on developing an empathetic industrial robot. The research project “Fluently” receives financial support from the EU and is scheduled for three years. In developing a portable system based on AI for operators and robots and developing a training centre called “The Fluently RoboGym” where interactions in industrial processes can be trained, the company has defined two goals for the project.

The project is supported by Horizon Europe and consists of 22 partners from science and industry. The laboratory for automation, robots and machines at the South Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana, SUPSI) is responsible for the technical coordination. The team of researchers also includes further leading institutes like the Politecnico di Torino in Italy and the Waseda University in Japan.

Good cooperation between humans and machines is especially important in modern factories where the volume of production as well as the products constantly vary, and where mobile transport systems and robots stand next to static work places. “Our industrial robots are already equipped with sensors for seeing and feeling, but as yet they cannot recognise human emotions”, says Ralf Völlinger, General Manager of the robotics business division at FANUC Europe. “What we want to achieve is that even more people will be able to use our industrial robots easily and efficiently in future.”

In their work, the researchers are now concentrating on three added-value chains that are important for the European economy: the disassembly and recycling of batteries for electric bikes and electric vehicles, control and assembly processes for the aerospace industry as well as the refinement of highly complex industrial parts by laser processing. In future, robots could help relieve some of the burden on employees in these processes and take over some of the more time-intensive tasks. The goal is to maintain the competence and experience of the employees and to increase their options for further qualification.