Robotics Development through EU Collaborative Project

European Union (EU) research projects (previously part of the Horizon 2020 programme and now part of the new programme, Horizon Europe) aim to achieve excellence in science, industry and tackle societal challenges, with the goal that Europe produces world-class science and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation.

At PAL Robotics, we are currently a partner in over 15 EU research projects which include robotics for healthcare, industry and research and development (R&D), and we collaborate with other European partners in order to boost innovation in several fields.

Our robots (platforms) are used in R&D projects as they have software and hardware that is customizable, the software and hardware can also be extended with the latest software and hardware components. In some projects we act as a platform provider, whilst in others we act as a software developer working in areas such as navigation, walking and HRI (Human-Robot Interaction).

In the research projects we take part in, our robots including TALOS, REEM-C, ARI, StockBot, TIAGo and TIAGo Base are used for hardware customization, software and hardware integration, and software development. The portfolio of projects we have worked on includes fields such as:

  • HRI (Human Robot Interaction)
  • Collaborative Robots
  • Healthcare
  • Agri-Food
  • Ambient Assisted Living
  • AI and deep learning
  • Touch and manipulation
  • Benchmarking
  • Software systems and models
  • Factories of the Future
  • Industry 4.0
  • Retail
  • Smart Cities
  • Big Data
  • IoT
  • CyberSecurity

All EU Research Projects by PAL Robotics

Examples of current and previous EU research projects

Examples of just some of the diverse range of EU projects we partner in at PAL Robotics include:

Ambient Assisted Living and Social Assistant: SHAPES project

SHAPES hopes to enable the wider deployment of a broad range of digital solutions for supporting and extending healthy and independent living for older individuals, in particular those facing cognitive impairment or reduced capabilities. SHAPES is building a Platform through PAL Robotics’ robot ARI which integrates smart digital solutions to collect and analyse older individuals’ health, environmental and lifestyle information, identify their needs and provide personalized solutions.

Discover the start of Project SHAPES pilot with ARI.

Deep Learning for healthcare, agile manufacturing and agri-food: Open DR project

The main goal of the Open DR project is to develop a non-proprietary toolkit, using deep learning to provide advanced perception abilities, to apply them in robotics in areas such as healthcare, agri-food and agile production. This project demonstrates how to apply the robotics applications to software libraries and to link them to the operating environment (ROS). Furthermore, this work aims to facilitate human-robot interaction as well as the development of cognitive mechatronics, which contributes to other core technologies beyond AI and Cognition. In this project, PAL Robotics is integrating DL algorithms in the TIAGo robot, to be applied in healthcare. Project partners include: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Tampere University, Aarhus University, Delt University of Technology, University of Freiburg, Cyberbotics, PAL Robotics and Agro Intelligence.

Read about the development of the advanced quadruped platform SOLO12 with the Open DR Project.

Motion generation in robots for industry 4.0: Memmo project

EU Project Memmo (which stands for memory of motion) is a research project which aims to develop memory of motion – a unified approach to motion generation for complex robots with arms and legs. The project works towards the development of three industrial demonstrators in the future of aircraft manufacturing, rehabilitation of paraplegic patients and inspection of large engineering structures. In this project PAL Robotics’ TALOS robot is being used as a development platform for testing algorithms such as: joint torque control, whole body inverse dynamics, model predictive control and multi-contact motion planning. One testing scenario involves drilling tasks and manipulation of industrial hand-held devices, while climbing a set of stairs in an Airbus experimental production line.

Check out the latest news from our humanoid robot TALOS at Project Memmo.

Developing tools, models and systems in software: RobMoSys project

RobMoSys is a model-based development approach for robotics, with the aim of bringing together industry-grade software development. This approach simplifies the production of industrial quality grade applications and establishes a common open source methodology for software development. The approach means that systems can be constructed out of reusable software components (building blocks) that have explicated properties. Therefore making it possible to exchange software components from different systems while saving software development costs. Our autonomous manipulation robot TIAGo is being used here for pilots in manufacturing and domestic environments. Project partners include: Technical University Munich, Siemens, PAL Robotics, Eclipse Foundation, KU Leven, THU, the CEA and Comau.

See the versatility of the mobile manipulator robot TIAGo for perception during Project RobMoSys.

Secure Collaborative Robotics for Factories of the Future: SeCoIIA project

The Secure Collaborative Intelligent Industrial Assets (SeCoIIA) project, aims to ensure the digital transition of the manufacturing industry towards more flexible, connected and automated production, in particular in the aeronautics, automotive and naval construction sectors. The project also looks at how to enhance the monitoring process, as well as the optimization and control achieved by the intelligent use of digital twin technology including Industrial IoT, Cloud manufacturing (CMfg), collaborative robotics and industrial AI. In this project PAL Robotics are supporting the drilling and riveting work human workers do by testing and validating three TIAGo robotos for the Airbus facilities.

Discover TIAGo in the cyberfactory of the future with Project SeCoIIA.

Innovation Radar: recognising business ready and potential innovations

We have been recognised by the European Commission for innovations in a number of current and previous EU research projects. Some of these innovations are business and tech ready, others are still being explored.

Examples of our work that has previously been highlighted includes the “Force torque tuning and calibration for collaborative tasks” in project Co4Robots, the “Long term robot interaction in an Ambient Assisted Living environment” in project ENRICHME, and the “Service robot and ICT based solutions for assisted living” in project GrowMeUp.

EU Research projects with the new Horizon Europe Programme

Horizon Europe, under the European Commission is a €100 billion research and innovation programme which succeeds the existing programme, Horizon 2020. The programme’s strategic planning process focuses in particular on Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness. It also covers Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area as well as other relevant activities.

Horizon Europe includes robotics research, to be able to develop new solutions to societal challenges including health and aging, smart transport and cities, energy, environment and more. The focus is on building on continuous efforts to develop an excellent scientific base for pushing the limits of innovation and technology, and being able to use the results in real world applications.

Horizon Europe supports European partnerships with EU countries, the private sector, foundations and other stakeholders. The aim is to deliver on global challenges and industrial modernisation through concerted research and innovation efforts. This work is undertaken in collaboration with the robotics community, including industry, research institutions and universities.

At PAL Robotics, we are always looking for new opportunities within EU research projects and interested in forming collaborations with new project partners. Visit our collaborative projects webpage to see details of all of the EU projects we currently collaborate in, including the expertise we offer and the robotic platforms we use. If you are looking for a project partner, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss working together.

If you found this article informative, take a look at our blog about robotics.