The CoRoT project is a collaboration of French and UK partners funded by the EU Interreg Programme. The CoRoT research group has developed a mobile robot demonstrating autonomous operations particularly aiming for applications within flexible manufacturing factories of small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The robot’s capability of full separation classifies it as a modular robotic system. Although the separation is possible, it introduces challenges in the areas of staff training, physical labour and workshop planning. This paper introduces a new method resolving the overt issues of lifting the robot, storing the robot and making use of the two systems as well as highlighting emergency stop regulations and maintaining the warranty of the equipment. By using a steel framed pneumatic lift, the top module can be removed and held in place, anchoring the arm for full operations whilst freeing the base to perform delivery tasks enabling seamless separation of modular robotic systems.

Manufacturing is a knowledge-intensive business in which companies are distinguished for their ability to deliver products and services using numerous forms of information and knowledge. Various information and communication technologies and systems have been created throughout the years to effectively manage information and knowledge in industry. However, capturing knowledge, particularly tacit knowledge, remains a challenge. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies for industrial tasks have been developed by the research and practitioner communities. For example, in manufacturing, VR/AR have been used to aid in different machining and assembly tasks. This paper presents a proposed an AR equipment ‘Head Mounted Device (HMD)’ under development, as a tool for capturing manufacturing expertise’s knowledge. The technology intends to capture tacit knowledge using a 3D camera installed on the operator’s HMD. The proposed approach also supplies the operator with information on production and ongoing processes.