Project description
Harnessing Robotics and AI for an Efficient, Safe, and Age-friendly Workforce
In the face of declining employment rates across vital sectors like industry, construction, and healthcare, the EU confronts a pressing challenge compounded by an ageing workforce. As this demographic shift exacerbates labour market strains, the EU's Horizon Europe programme strategically channels investments into cutting-edge technologies. Robotics and AI emerge as pivotal pillars in the pursuit of elevating overall life standards and welfare. The EU-funded FORTIS project targets a transformative solution that delves deep into Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). Its three pilots in construction, infrastructure services, and manufacturing showcase practical use cases, highlighting the potential to enhance safety and productivity. FORTIS allocates funds for additional pilots in healthcare, events, shopping centres and grocery stores.
Objective
The European Union (EU) has experienced a decline in employment rates in various sectors such as industry, construction, and healthcare, with an aging workforce exacerbating the issue. To improve overall life standards and welfare, the EU's Horizon Europe programme is investing in emerging technology such as robotics and AI.
FORTIS specifically focuses on providing a complete Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) solution that includes multi-modal communication and multi-aspect interaction. The goal is to develop a human-centric solution that addresses the needs of both the human workforce and the robots, allowing them to work together efficiently and safely. With cutting-edge research and advanced technology, this solution can help to mitigate the negative effects of an aging workforce on employment, working conditions, and welfare in the EU.
The project will conduct three main pilots in the sectors of construction, infrastructure services, and manufacturing. These pilots will provide a total of 5 use cases to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of the Human-Robot Interaction.
Moreover, FORTIS will allocate a portion of the budget to finance pilots that allow civilians to interact with the robots in different settings, such as healthcare, public events, shopping centres, and grocery stores. This will provide an opportunity to evaluate the performance of the HRI solution in various real-world scenarios
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA)
Spain