Project description
Creating a Greek centre of excellence in robotics
The EU-funded HERON project will establish a state-of-the-art robotics centre of excellence in Greece, aimed at advancing the science, technology and practice of robotics in the AI era. The centre will collaborate with the Athena Research Centre, which coordinates the project, the Italian Institute of Technology, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and a team of Greek academics. It will tackle pressing national and EU challenges, conducting robotics research in diverse sectors such as agriculture, marine, safety, logistics and healthcare, contributing to the evolution of robotics and AI for practical applications in these fields. HERON will also provide opportunities for brain gain and the diaspora, mobilise the national robotics ecosystem and cooperate with the industry, offering innovative robotics solutions.
Objective
This project aims to create the first Robotics Center of Excellence (CoE) in Greece for advancing the science and technology of robotics in the AI era coupled with industrial innovation. The new CoE, named HERON (Hellenic Robotics Center), will be a team effort between the Athena Research Center, an excellent team of Greek University Professors, the Italian Institute of Technology, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. HERON will be driven by excellence and pursue world class research in areas that reflect current and emerging challenges of national and EU value, covering a broad spectrum of R&I directions empowered by AI: (1) Safety/Security, including aerial, ground, and marine robotics; (2) Field Robotics, including agriculture, maritime, logistics, and space; (3) Healthcare, including mobility and cognitive assistance of motor-impaired and elderly people, surgical and socially assistive robotics. HERON will build Makerspaces and Joint Labs to support validation, research demonstration, education, and maker training throughout Greece and beyond. It will initiate and coordinate actions to mobilise and collaborate with the Greek Robotics Ecosystem, emphasizing strategic collaborations between academia and industry towards innovation across the entire Robotics value chain. Such actions, backed by the compelling background, experience and synergy between the partners, and the multidisciplinary HERON team, provide a unique prospect to establish a sustainable Robotics CoE in Greece, which can transform the Greek ecosystem with major benefits to the economy and social well-being. The proposal is strongly supported by the Greek Government with matching funds and by over 70 public and private sector entities (industry, universities, research centers, clusters, regions) from Greece, Europe, USA, and the Greek Diaspora, via endorsement letters and significant complementary funding or in-kind support, ensuring HERON’s long-term sustainability beyond the Project end.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
151 25 Maroussi
Greece
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.