FANUC supports Swiss university SUPSI in optimizing human-machine compatability

Japanese giant in the production of FANUC robots is taking part in the innovative development of an empathetic robot intended for industrial settings. “The EU funding for the research project “Fluently”, spearhead by Roboverse Reply, has a goal of designing a roboticized platform, intended of creating actual social compatibility between man and machine. The goal of the 3 year project is to design a perfected device based on artificial intelligence, intended to be carried by operators and robots, as well as designing a specialized center for training, dubbed „The Fluently RoboGym“. In it, operators and robots will be trained in well-organized interaction when performing tasks in industry," FANUC informed BalkanEngineer.com.

The concept of cooperation between man and machine has long been acknowledge as one of the ways to improve production and efficiency of the industry, but its execution has proven to be difficult, requiring careful programming and often leading to unsynchronized work models. Now, with the advent of artificial intelligence, the gap in understanding that once stood between humans and robots may be about to disappear. At the forefront of this shift is the Fluently project.

This project is supported by “Horizon Europe” – the most important EU initiative in regards to financing scientific research and innovations, consists of a total of 22 partners from economic backgrounds and industrial circles, and responsible for technical coordination is the laboratory of automation, robots and machines, part of the The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). In addition to SUPSI researchers, the project also involves students from several leading international institutions, such as the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, and Waseda University, Japan.

"Good teamwork between people and machines is particularly important in modern smart factories, where production volumes and products are constantly changing and where mobile transport systems and robots coexist with stationary workstations," FANUC also commented.

Photo source: FANUC Bulgaria, FANUC, Fluently