ROBO-PARTNER: Seamless Human-Robot Cooperation for Intelligent, Flexible and Safe Operations in the Assembly Factories of the Future

Abstract

This paper presents the vision and architectures, proposed by the EU project ROBO-PARTNER. The project aspires to the integration of the latest industrial automation systems for assembly operations, in combination with human capabilities. Focus is given to combining robot strength, velocity, predictability, repeatability and precision with human intelligence and skills to get at a hybrid solution that would be involving the safe cooperation of operators with autonomous and adapting robotic systems. The main enablers are: the development of intuitive interfaces for safe human-robot cooperation (HRC), the use of safety strategies and equipment, allowing fenceless human robot assembly cells, the introduction of methods and tools for the efficient planning programming and execution of assembly operations, as well as the use of mobile robots, acting as assistants to human operators. The project also provides a more flexible integration and communication architecture by utilizing a distributed computing model along with ontology services. A pilot case from the automotive industry is used as the ground for developing and testing the aforementioned technologies.

Collaborative manufacturing with physical human–robot interaction

“…They show that mass customization requires high technological flexibility, and propose various designs to cope with this, by integrating both automated and human-based assembly. A similar perspective is that of the recent EU project ROBO-PARTNER [4], that aims at integrating assembly systems, and human capabilities. The main enablers, according to the authors, are: intuitive interfaces, safe strategies and equipment, proper methods for planning and execution, and the use of mobile robots, and of distributed computing.…”

“…The proposed framework is outlined in Sect. 4. The framework components (nominal trajectory generation, admittance control, and safety monitoring) are then detailed in the following sections (respectively, Sections 5, 6, and 7).…”

Human–robot collaborative assembly in cyber-physical production: Classification framework and implementation

“…At the control level, Krüger et al [10] proposed a framework design for stable and robust interaction control. Intuitive programming mechanisms were developed for both online and offline programming via gestures and voices [11]. For the satisfaction of human needs, augmented reality was also deployed in the factory for virtual assembly, assembly guidance, training, maintenance, etc.…”

Collaborative Work Between Human And Industrial Robot In Manufacturing By Advanced Safety Monitoring System

“…Different areas like safety, collaboration tasks planning, robot programming, and integration are considered. [6] • Speed and separation monitoring -Developing a solution for human-robot collaboration in the automotive industry (PSA) for the assembly process. [7] • Sensors -implementation and integration of different types of sensors to establish required safety for humanrobot collaborations [8] ISO 15066 standard gives advice for human-robot co-operation safety issues.…”