Objective
Most current AI systems rely almost exclusively on fast, intuitive System 1 processing, that is pattern recognition from large datasets, while lacking the deliberate System 2 reasoning needed for planning, adaptation, and trustworthy decision making. This imbalance limits adaptability, safety, and explainability in dynamic, real world environments. The OPERA project addresses these gaps by advancing General Purpose AI for robotics that integrates System 1 efficiency with System 2 analytical capabilities, both in inference and learning. This enables robots to estimate confidence levels and detect anomalies while maintaining fast reactive behaviour, escalate to System 2 when needed, plan over long horizons, adapt to domain shifts, and make explainable and trustworthy decisions aligned with European values and the AI Act. To achieve this, OPERA will combine hybrid neuro symbolic and data driven reasoning, continual and evolutionary learning for adaptability, GenAI based world models for safe training and digital twins, and the integration of reinforcement learning with self-supervised learning for explainable navigation and manipulation. It will further embed System 2 driven learning, active exploration, relational and physics-based reasoning to enhance efficiency and safety. The resulting modular, open GPAI toolbox will be validated in three use cases: smart manufacturing, advanced robotics, and maritime mobility, and fully integrated into the AI on Demand platform. By delivering insights into learning synergies and cognition inspired architectures, OPERA will provide validated System 1 and 2 tools that push GPAI beyond pattern recognition. OPERA will position Europe at the forefront of GPAI-enabled robotics, driving productivity, sustainability, and climate neutrality through energy-efficient, adaptive, and trustworthy systems, and achieving TRL 5 in the targeted use cases achieving open strategic autonomy in GPAI, the most significant emerging enabling technology.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning reinforcement learning
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence pattern recognition
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
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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.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.2 - Key Digital Technologies
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HORIZON.2.4.5 - Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
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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-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation 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-CL4-2025-04
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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.
546 36 THESSALONIKI
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.