• Impact on technology advances beyond the results of the project.
VERSATILE have demonstrated the feasibility of flexible automation for all pilots in the project. Important progress in dual-arm manipulation, visual servoing for positioning, 3D vision systems integrated with a grasping server, region of interest and parts with occlusions were successfully tested in the demonstrators.
• Impact on competitiveness of partners involved (market shares, new business developments, etc..)
Two exploitable results are highlighted for market exploitation: MRP development in ER1 by DGH and Tecnalia, and Pickit HD - PickApp alliance by Intermodalics and COMAU allows COMAU robots to use one of the best smart cameras in the market directly with PickApp, it is a real connect & use. The MRP exploited by DGH can include modules with the software tested in VERSATILE. Additionally, the robot it self can be configured by simpler hardware (autonomous platforms, only one arm, no torso and vision systems).
Regarding technologies to continue development, promising results in dual-arm manipulation and easy programming will be taken for further development beyond VERSATILE. In the case of dual arm manipulation developed by UM-LIRMM and Tecnalia, the test of the algorithms with industrial-like robots started in VERSATILE will be extended, Ph.D student will be hired in Tecnalia Spain for this purpose. Regarding the easy programming tool, it is the moment to invest in one basic – but flexible robotic cell where parts will be simple to import, and robotic skills will be better related with available grippers.
• Broader economic impact ( e.g. through the use of technology by other economic sectors etc..).
Business plans have a good perspective because VERSATILE technologies can be used in many industrial segments, in the secondary sector - manufacturing. Additionally, dual-arm manipulation using a force control loop has proved a successful and safe robot-human interaction. This control strategy could be applied in the services sector where humans could need support to perform some activities at home.
• Impact on societal challenges if relevant.
The Horizon 2020 define Health and wellbeing as one social challenge. In VERSATILE, ergonomic aspects in the use cases affect the workers that perform those tasks: in the kitting operation, the workers must stand up all the time and without rest periods to avoid affecting the production, it is also a very repetitive work done cyclically; in aeronautic task, workers are exposed to carbon fiber dust and it is a cancerogenic material when it is breathed, additionally, the workstation force workers to use the tools in positions where they are crouched.
